Dangerous Blessing: The Emergence of a Postmodern Faith

Postmodernism has been both heralded and hated accepted and denounced. But which is the proper response? Is it an impetus to spiritual revival or an invitation to sinister deception? Carmen C. DiCello points out that Christians must examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21) while remaining alert to potential hazards. Steering clear of extremes this book offers an approach to postmodernism in which believers can justly resist its darker elements while embracing its more noble ones. Postmodernism is best seen as a Dangerous Blessing. Postmodernism is seen by some as a philosophical panacea and by others as the twenty-first-century boogie man. Dr. DiCello shows that there is much to embrace in postmodernism but there is also much to contend with and he helps the reader to discern which is which. A better balance on this topic I have not yet encountered. --Rick Walston President Columbia Evangelical Seminary Dr. DiCello guides us through a maze of complexities in postmodern thinking approaching the subject in a manner that can best be characterized as intellectually honest and operating in good faith. Theological inquiry along these lines encourages readers to reflect on what it means to be a Christian in the twenty-first-century world. --Gordon K. Nelson Associate Professor of Human Development The Pennsylvania State University Carmen DiCello has a great passion for two important aspects of contemporary America: understanding dramatic cultural changes and reaching others with the Christian message. Anyone wanting to do the same should launch their journey with the truths in this book. --Steven Gunderson DiCellos recent contribution to the evangelical conversation about the emerging church in North America strikes the right balance between an unwarranted triumphalism of this postmodern-influenced movement and a wholesale rejection of emerging church emphases. With a healthy respect for nearly 2000 years of Christian reflection and more importantly a faithful reverence for the Scriptures Dangerous Blessing is a helpful roadmap for the emerging church terrain. --Stephen Shields Founder Faithmaps.org Carmen C. DiCello has served as an associate and senior pastor in various churches since 1992 and he is currently both a public school teacher and adjunct professor at Columbia Evangelical Seminary in Longview Washington.