I am married but do not have kids, and I have been thinking about the deeper things of life... mainly, what kind of father will my kids remember? What makes a man great, and what measures his impact on the world?And in thinking about these deep things, I have realized something about myself... I have measured greatness in numbers for most of life, subconsciously. But, how many people have to know you are great before you are great? (yep, it's a rhetorical question)
This is actually one of the positive things that postmodernism makes room for. The modern ideology stated that greatness was measured by numbers and breadth of influence. It's vision relies on great men with great power impacting great masses of humanity. Postmodernism is doubt of the modern. So, here is one way I am postmodern... I doubt that greatness has anything to do with many people knowing about it.
A lot of people are afraid of postmodernism because it is often inherently mystic, finding meaning in spiritual, undefinable things. Most people fear the undefinable, fearing that anarchy is inevitable. But it is true that greatness is truly, at the core, something spiritual, undefinable, and ultimately local... and most often, a person's greatness is most evident in the most secret places. The people I consider great aren't necessarily the people reaching thousands, millions... most of them are just incredible parents, friendly neighbors, and people who do good in secret.
Postmodernism is open to life lived locally, open to the simplicity of being tied to the earth (agrarianism); it doubts the machine of progress and re-opens the question of simple being.
Just one more reason I use the controversial title Postmoderner. I'm convinced there are ways that postmodernism can help Christianity relocate its vision of the Kingdom of God.
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Hey Postmoderner. I LOVE this. This is a return to the simplicity and the essence of Biblical greatness. I think if we were to question Jesus in how He would quantify greatness, He would undoubtedly parallel your thoughts.
On one element of this, Jesus contrasted what was considered "greatness" by the leaders of His day with what He found to be great. In fact there was irony involved, because Jesus' idea was truly radical to their thinking.
"You guys think it's great to make outward statements, do things so people think better of you, sound your trumpets on the street corners, and throw a roll of $1 bills in the offering plate to look like you're some kind of high roller... You guys are hoping to have it soooooo well and "live the high life"... well I hope you guys are happy with your current situation, because you've already got your reward. The kind of greatness you guys are looking for will be discovered in the private, secret places where your good deeds aren't noticed by anyone. You should try to hide your "good works" in such a way that even your right hand wouldn't know what your left did, like when you handed that cash to that homeless fella. Figure this idea out guys, where greatness becomes private and between you and the Father, and you'll find greatness all right. In fact, my Father will bless you openly."
Interestingly, the image-seeking acts are almost always quantifiable, while the great deeds of the secret are often in essence, whose return cannot be measured by earthly instruments. :)
Thanks for sharing Postmoderner. ~AK
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