“Postmodern Spirituality: Religion for a New Age”
Dr. John Cooper
February 16, 2012, 7 p.m.
Fellowship Church
407 Perry Ave.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-3517
Contrary to predictions by modern secularism, religion and spirituality are thriving in postmodern culture. This presentation considers some key kinds and characteristics of postmodern spirituality in traditional and new religions–emphases on experience, relationships, openness, and pluralism with few institutional, doctrinal, or behavioral requirements. The presentation concludes with reflections on postmodern spirituality from a Christian perspective.
[Aside for the profs: My sub-thesis is that postmodern spirituality is neo-romanticism reacting to scientific modernism just as romanticism reacted to Enlightenment rationalism. Virtually all the characteristics of romanticism have returned, including interest in Eastern spirituality, revisionism of traditional religions, cultural diversity, globalism, correlation of individuality and participation in the Whole, etc. But I won’t focus on this thesis; I’ll use it to explore current religion and spirituality.]
Dr. John Cooper
Dr. Cooper studied at Calvin College, University of Toronto (MA, PhD in philosophy), and Calvin Seminary (MTS). He taught philosophy at Calvin College 1978-85 and philosophical theology at Calvin Seminary since then. Dr. Cooper currently teaches apologetics, world religions, philosophy, and theology. He is also an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Dr. Cooper has been happily married for 41 years, has two grown children, and enjoys sports, classical music, and gardening.
Dr. John W. Cooper – Faculty Bio
A message board has been setup to discuss this topic at http://fellowshipcrc.net/forum/
Handout/Outline – Postmodern Spirituality
Some questions to be discussed at the online forum:
1. Do all humans have a spiritual-religious impulse, or only some? If all have it, why do only some pursue it?
2. Are religion and spirituality only about the divine, supernatural, or the afterlife? Or are they important for life in this world?
3. Do religion and spirituality make people better or worse than living without them? Both?
4. Many people consider themselves spiritual but dislike the creeds, rituals, and moral rules of organized religion. Why? Can spirituality flourish without some disciplined beliefs and practices?
5. What difference does it make if ultimate reality is a personal divine being, an impersonal consciousness or life-force, or the natural power of the Big Bang?
And of course you are welcome to ask your own questions and start your own discussions.
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