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108th out of 283 books
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176 voters
What Would Jesus Deconstruct?: The Good News of Postmodernism for the Church (The Church and Postmodern Culture)
This provocative addition to The Church and Postmodern Culture series offers a lively rereading of Charles Sheldon's" In His Steps "as a constructive way forward. John D. Caputo introduces the notion of why the church needs deconstruction, positively defines deconstruction's role in renewal, deconstructs idols of the church, and imagines the future of the church in address...more
Paperback, 160 pages
Published
November 1st 2007
by Baker Academic
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The question of how postmodernism will impact the church is one that has troubled theologians and laymen alike for several decades. Although many have rejected then ideas of postmodernism outright, some people, such as Dr. John Caputo, have begged the church to embrace this controversial rejection of modernism. In his work, Dr. Caputo not only advocates that Christians should conform to postmodern philosophy, but also that even Jesus embraced dec...more
The question of how postmodernism will impact the church is one that has troubled theologians and laymen alike for several decades. Although many have rejected then ideas of postmodernism outright, some people, such as Dr. John Caputo, have begged the church to embrace this controversial rejection of modernism. In his work, Dr. Caputo not only advocates that Christians should conform to postmodern philosophy, but also that even Jesus embraced dec...more
Great and thought provoking book about postmodern theology and philosophy. Caputo's book is much easy to read, considering him being a continental philosopher, he wears his philosophical "cap" lightly, its a book I would recommend to many people interested in postmodern conversation about God(Jesus) and culture. Thank you John!!
I appreciated this quote near the conclusion of Caputo's book:
Idolatry comes in many forms. Literalizing the truth of the Scriptures is idolatrous in a way that parallels the idolatry of the church in Catholicism...Orthodoxy is idolatry if it means holding the "correct opinions about God"--"fundamentalism" is the most extreme and salient example of such idolatry--but not if it means holding faith in the right way, that is, not holding it at all but being held by God, in love and service. Theolog...more
Idolatry comes in many forms. Literalizing the truth of the Scriptures is idolatrous in a way that parallels the idolatry of the church in Catholicism...Orthodoxy is idolatry if it means holding the "correct opinions about God"--"fundamentalism" is the most extreme and salient example of such idolatry--but not if it means holding faith in the right way, that is, not holding it at all but being held by God, in love and service. Theolog...more
Caputo is one of the most important philosophers of our time; however, this book falls short of impressing any of Caputo's fans. Although the intent of his book is commendable, the various chapters read awkwardly from one to the next. The most significant contribution that this book makes to the field of philosophy is its discussion of what Caputo refers to as the "two white elephants" in contemporary theology -- abortion and homosexuality. Overall, I would recommend the book to Caputo fans or t...more
I really enjoyed this book. He makes some important criticisms of the church, in particular the more traditional and conservative parts of it. He is not concerned so much (or very much at all) with "correct" belief or doctrine - but rather in how we should live in response to faith/god, even though we cannot actually grasp what faith/god might be! Also very funny!
This was a really helpful introduction to the theory of deconstruction and how it can be helpful for the Church. Although I disagree with some of what Caputo says re: feminism, homosexuality, universalism etc. I really enjoyed the work. His critique of the religious right is spot on and I thought his section on abortion was brilliant. A must-read for those interested in deconstruction, postmodernism, or politics.
Bought this when we visited Cedar Ridge Community Church last week. Of course, the title made the book irresistable. I'm finding it very engaging and interesting. I am reading the first chapter right now, which is about the guy who originally coined the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" He was an evangelist in late 19th c. Kansas, who was a proponent of the Social Gospel, as well as Prohibition and Sabbatarianism. Fascinating.
...again, marked as "read" because I read a chapter and found it fascinati...more
...again, marked as "read" because I read a chapter and found it fascinati...more
he was such a snarky, sassy, intellectual, and poignant betch! i loved it.
Sep 15, 2012
Norah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
someone in church
Recommended to Norah by:
my book group
Bought for my deconstructionist, postmodern 'emerging church' bookgroup. A scholarly book with a new angle on Christianity, saying Jesus was himself a deconstructionist. It starts with a discussion of the actual book 'In His Steps' written by Charles Sheldon in 1896, and subtitled 'What would Jesus do?'!, a phrase which swept America and indeed the Christian world in recent years. But did they take it as it was intended???
This little volume sums up some things I think about post-modernism and the church, but the arguments are a little inconsistent, as if the author had written the book in pieces and then stitched them together. Definitely worth reading and thought-provoking, but Caputo should concentrate on making one coherent argument.
My review of the book can be found here: http://wp.me/p30a1-e4
Summary: This book is for the discerning. Read it with care. But, if you believe the Bible is the actual verbal revelation of God Himself, brace yourself for a pretty high dose of frustration as you trek through it.
Summary: This book is for the discerning. Read it with care. But, if you believe the Bible is the actual verbal revelation of God Himself, brace yourself for a pretty high dose of frustration as you trek through it.
I learned a lot about Deconstruction from one type of Christian perspective and it was a positive view of it and Postmodernism. I read it on the plane to and from Athens and am reading it again.
A rehash of his basic ideas and a more readable than his Weakness of God. Has some very good places.
Not as good as Smith's, yet still very helpful for understanding deconstruction.
I sensed a lot of bitterness in this book.
Not a light read, but worth it.
May 16, 2013
Eustaquio Rangel
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Laura Hellsten
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May 12, 2013
Mickslibrarian
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May 04, 2013
Hevel Cava
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May 04, 2013
Yolande Steenkamp
is currently reading it
Apr 30, 2013
Benjamin
marked it as to-read
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“The Right thinks that the breakdown of the family is the source of crime and poverty, and this they very insightfully blame on the homosexuals, which would be amusing were it not so tragic. Families and 'family values' are crushed by grinding poverty, which also makes violent crime and drugs attractive alternatives to desperate young men and sends young women into prostitution. Family values are no less corrupted by the corrosive effects of individualism, consumerism, and the accumulation of wealth. Instead of shouting this from the mountain tops, the get-me-to-heaven-and-the-rest-be-damned Christianity the Christian Right preaches is itself a version of selfish spiritual capitalism aimed at netting major and eternal dividends, and it fits hand in glove with American materialism and greed.”
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17 people liked it
“Orthodoxy is idolatry if it means holding the 'correct opinions about God' - 'fundamentalism' is the most extreme and salient example of such idolatry - but not if it means holding faith in the right way, that is, not holding it at all but being held by God, in love and service. Theology is idolatry if it means what we say about God instead of letting ourselves be addressed by what God has to say to us. Faith is idolatrous if it is rigidly self-certain but not if it is softened in the waters of 'doubt.”
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3 people liked it
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