THE CHURCH AND THE CHALLENGES OF POSTMODERNISM

Post Modernism is an intellectual stance and attitude that is skeptical and relativises whatever is described as grand narratives. Its philosophical standpoint rejects rationality, objectivity and anything regarded as universal truth. This attitude with its Western origin has crept into many African societies and institutions, including the Church.Ironically, the Christian Church is known for doctrines or dogmas that have been accepted over time by adherents as universal truth. The Bible, for example, is believed by many Christian groups as Infallible. The challenge is how the Church in Africa, in particular, will maintain and protect her message, tradition and identity in the face of postmodern incursions that are fast being inculcated by many in Africa, including Church membership. The reality is that many Christian groups in Africa have started losing their African core Church tradition and values that differentiate them from Churches from other climes. Sequel to the above, this paper puts the concepts of Postmodernism and the Church in perspective. It also interrogates Postmodern ideas in the light of Church tradition and message. The ultimate purpose of this apologetic approach is to seek the protection of the Church against this spirit of the age.

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