Modernism And Postmodernism

Discussion question:

Discuss and justify the differences you see between modernism and postmodernism as presented in the text.

Classmate one:

Crystal Acuff

ThursdayJun 29 at 10:34pm

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With this week’s topic of modernism and postmodernism, I have had difficult trying to make reference to the text. I might be reading or misreading information wrong, but I thoroughly hold myself accountable for any misleading information in this post. I do feel that postmodernism is seen all around us and the worldly problems have become problematic, yet there may be some that are in positive light.According to Meriam-Webster.com Dictionary (2023), modernism means “a practice, usage, or expression peculiar to modern times; a tendency in theology to accommodate traditional religious teaching to contemporary thought and specially to devalue supernatural elements; and modern artistic or literary philosophy and practice”. When modernism is applied to our text, many communication theories are up to date with the worldly present time. Mumby (1997) writes, “modernism is the discourse most consistent with the notion of the mind as the mirror of nature” (p. 23).Postmodernism is in Meriam-Webster.com Dictionary (2023) is described as “relating to, or being an era after a modern one; of, relating to, or being any of various movements in reaction to modernism that are typically characterized by a return to traditional materials and forms (as in architecture) or by ironic self-reference and absurdity (as in literature); and of, relating to, or being a theory that involves a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, or language”. In the text, in the feminist organizational communication aspect, postmodern feminism is being spoken about. Littlejohn et al. (2021) write, “postmodern feminism emphasizes gender as socially constructed through discourse” (p. 323). There are plenty of movements that have gone on around many countries over centuries for that postmodernism movements have to set into place. Some are for some good and some are for not so good. This is whereas a society, we need to pray and seek God in anything that could possibly go against His Word. 

Our text, to some, may seem that the theories presented are modern and other theories seem postmodern. This all will depend on that one individual and the application of theory they are applying.

As this discussion post ends, some scripture to conclude with regarding postmodernism:

Colossians 2:8 – “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ”.

Romans 12:2 – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.

A bible verses regarding modernism:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers”.Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.

References:

Holy Bible, People’s Parallel Edition, New Living Translation (1997). Carol Stream, IL.: Tyndale House Publications.

Littlejohn, S., Foss, K., & Oetzel, J. (2021). Theories of Human Communication (12th ed.). Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc. 

Modernism. (2023). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modernismLinks to an external site.

Mumby, D. K. (1997). Modernism, postmodernism, and communication studies: A rereading of an ongoing debate. Communication Theory, 7(1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.1997.tb00140.xLinks to an external site.

Postmodernism. (2023). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postmodernismLinks to an external site.

 Classmate 2:

 Bayley Gable

ThursdayJun 29 at 11:54pm

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Modernism is characterized by the opposition of religiousness and tradition—authorized structures of principle—in the name of rationalism. While understanding had previously been the domain of ecclesiastical and legislative bodies, modernism provided a base that organized faith and customs could not by emphasizing a rational foundation, separate from tradition and religion, that may be known by each individual's thinking. Modernism is structured on the notion that there are true forms and ideas in the universe, such as the norms and laws that govern logic, and that they may be discovered by observation and research (Littlejohn et al., 2021). Postmodernism operates on the premise that social realities are continually formed, replicated, and altered via the utilization of language along with other forms of representation. Postmodernism, in juxtaposition with modernism, opposes a cohesive, logical, rational basis; instead, reality is viewed as dispersed, local, contextual, and dynamic, with polysemy as its essential feature (Littlejohn et al., 2021). Fragmentation in understanding is vital to the postmodernist:Rather than trying to understand how humans know the world, the postmodernist understands that the world cannot be known except in fragments and partial perspectives, depending on those who are experiencing it at the moment. Reality, then, is not something external but emerges in the linguistic interaction among individuals and groups; temporary responses rather than permanent answers or universal truths prevail. (Littlejohn et al., 2021, p. 430)An interesting quote I read when researching more on modernism and postmodernism reads, “...postmodern thought questions the modernist separation of truth and power” (Mumby, 1997, p. 15). From a purely logical standpoint, it is inescapable how much power truth has. Say postmodernism was the correct way to view life—the true way. How much more powerful would people be if they had that way of perceiving? As Christians, we understood this when we first became Christians—the question every Christian has to wrestle with: Is the Bible true? When we came to the realization that Scripture is indeed true, how much power came from that? Did not your life change completely from that point on? Did you not die to your old ways when you discovered the power of the truth? When you were sanctified, as written in John 17:17: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (King James Bible, 2017). Afterall, as Jesus declares in John 14:6 He is “the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Him}” (King James Bible, 2017).

Further research in postmodernism presents how it is reactionary based more than anything:

If there is a common element in all of the “post-” terms and the work they represent, it might be that all of them are critical reactions to what are perceived as totalizing practices and rhetorics of the modern era. (Bolter, 2008, p. 2)

The reactionary way of perceiving the world is reminiscent of how the Pharisees reacted when Jesus revealed the truth. Matthew 12:1-14 records,

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 

8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. (King James Bible, 2017).

It is foolish to ignore the power of truth, even if it is hard to hear it. 

 Bolter, J. D. (2008). Postmodernism and Communication. The International Encyclopedia of Communication. doi:10.1002/9781405186407.wbie

Mumby, D. K. (1997). Modernism, Postmodernism, and Communication Studies: A Rereading of an Ongoing Debate. Communication Theory, 7(1), 1–28. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2885.1997.tb00140.x

King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)

Littlejohn, S. W., Foss, K. A., & Oetzel, J. G. (2021). Theories of human communication (11th ed.). Waveland Press, Inc.

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