Whether you like them or not, the postmodern theological movements the first part of Vanhoozer's Companion introduces are increasingly important in academic theology. Upper-division seminarians are expected to understand the basics of deconstruction, postliberalism, postmetaphysical theology, and the rest. Hey, we read Derrida, Marion, and Milbank at Duke, and that was way back in the mid-nineties when you whippersnappers were still begging to watch Nickelodeon!
Movements like these strike both interest and fear in the hearts of pastors everywhere, because they face us fogies with the dilemma of either surrendering our "edge" or wading back into the fray to see what's been going on lately. They are the equivalent of 'nu metal' to your parents: not the classics, but on the radio anyway, at least when the kids are driving. What haunts them is not the thought that it is garbage, but the lurking worry that it might not be garbage.
This paper follows from the following scenario:
In conversation at church, your pastor asks you his or her usual ice-breaker question: "So what are you studying at Westmont?"
"Postmodern theology and biblical studies," you reply — poker-faced and eagerly awaiting the expression your answer will provoke.
The conversation continues with surprisingly few dismissive comments about Westmont being so liberal, conservative, progressive, or wannabe trendy (depending on your church context).
"Oh! Tell me about it!" the pastor says with a wily smile that hides an inward dread. "Should we be for it, or against it?"
"That depends," you say, with the coy sophistication you have worked hard to cultivate in your time here. "There are a lot of varieties."
Suddenly he drops the game and gets serious. "Well, really, I would love to know. It keeps coming up in pastoral circles, ministry and culture circles, and church-growth circles and I don't know what to think. I hear that it's great; I hear that it's evil; I hear that it's here; I hear it's inevitable; I hear it's over. Since you've been talking about it in class, and since you know about what we're doing here at the church, would you send me an e-mail that tells me what you think about it and shows what it has to teach me and my organization?"
"Aww, man!" is what you're thinking, because you have just been roped into something you didn't want to do, but you maintain your composure and answer back, "Actually, you could just read Kevin Vanhoozer's Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology. It's a clear and informative guide that no student of theology should be without." This both deflects an unwanted task and makes you appear learned. Damn, I'm good! you think.
Alas, your pastor isn't falling for it. "I'd love to, but I'm too busy to read everything I should, so I often ask people to do things like this for me, and it really helps. Besides, I want to know what you think. Especially in how it affects us in terms of the Bible. Thanks!" And with that your pastor looks at you with that warm pastoral gaze that always seals the deal.
Holy Spirit 1; you 0. At least you didn't let on that there were seven varieties, or you would be responsible for evaluating all of them. Thank God for small favors. Then you think: maybe I'll suggest it to Telford and he'll turn it into an assignment! At least I'll get course credit that way.
Write that introduction in the form of a personal letter. Evaluate at least two chapters from Vanhoozer chapters 1-8 in terms of their potential impact on that leader's ministry. In your appraisal, include Bockmuehl's assessments of the state of biblical scholarship and his own prescriptions as they pertain to those two Vanhoozer chapters.
You are, in effect, giving a written presentation to that leader that summarizes (very briefly) and comments (at greater length) on the two or more schools of postmodern theology you consider most significant for that church. Whether you support their arguments, follow my interpretation, follow Bockmuehl's, or offer another is up to you and the Holy Spirit. (Whichever you choose, offer reasons, not just impressions.) The point is to write something the leader and his or her ministry will find useful.
Your tone can be casual and intimate, but it must be well written. Please keep your paper 4-5 pages, double-spaced, and follow the directions in my handout for writing papers.
Remember, I want to see proper style, clear writing, a thorough answer to the question, and explicit citations of course materials.