Christian Faith and Practice in a (Post)Modern World

While faith in Jesus Christ has never come easily, there are certain features of modern—and now purportedly “postmodern”—societies that seem to make Christian faith and discipleship particularly perplexing. These features are commonly discussed under the heading of “secularization,” a term which points to the fact that traditional Christian understanding and institutions have grown progressively less influential within contemporary society and culture. By drawing on the insights of a number of prominent social thinkers, this course aims to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the processes of modernization and secularization, their impact upon Christian theology, and their impact upon (post)modern discipleship.