A dense but helpful book, Post-Christian traced the many threads at play that have come together to form contemporary culture in the Western world. An excellent example of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." I did find some of the core examples of authors/scholars, such as George Hamann, a bit out of reach. There was also a distinct lack of direct scriptural engagement, which is unfortunate. Much of the book's arguments would have been positively reinforced with more scripturally-based theological reflection. However, I imagine this would have made the book somewhat less positive and, indeed, much longer than it already was. I also think, having only been able to read and review after the chaos of early 2020, that a revision taking how cultural changes have accelerated in the west (and how that acceleration is moving along) into account would be beneficial in the coming years.

Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture by Gene Edward Veith Jr.

2 stars DNF @42%

Post-Christian focuses on addressing different topics of post-modernism that Christianity has faced in the fold of our modern world. Apparently, he originally wrote another novel on the post-modern movement in 1994, so this is a sequel of sorts building on the fact that his original hypothesis was wrong and that we have continued to expand on the ideals of the post-modern movement, but we have not actually left it. Essentially Veith points out that we have, as a society, only expanded on post-modernism by inflating ideals to epic proportions. The concept and theory that Veith is arguing for and against is interesting, but I equated this experience to sitting at a dinner table with my opinionated uncle. Every once in a while, he says something brilliant, but then he lack of empathy and coldness makes it hard to listen and then you realize his good idea turned into ravings. This book is filled with a lot of useless information and ravings. Great for history and science buffs, but the majority of the information felt unnecessary and like it bogged down the central argument. I also am a firm believer that Christians show Christ through empathy and cold, brashness can be very off-putting for most people. If I read this book as an early Christian, I think it could've been dangerous to my rocky shore of a foundation. However, I have a firmer foundation and recognize and discern opinion, Scriptural-truth, and the Spirit. Veith's book on post-modernism is not one to ignore, but it is one I recommend only to the firm believer because a lot of the teachings here do not adhere to the love of Christ and are heaped in emotional biases and prejudices. That's just my personal takeaway. The novel's introduction had me really excited, but my overall experience of reading this novel just makes me want to stop reading and leave on a note that isn't sour. The tone was a little too cynical and lacking in optimism for me. However, I think this will be a hit with certain audiences and readers- especially those looking to learn more about history and arguments.


Whimsical Writing Scale: 2

Plotastic Scale: 2

Cover Thoughts: I like the cover and the sparseness of it.

Thank you, Netgalley and Crossway, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

There has been lots of talk about postmodernism, so much so that it has become a catchphrase to simply represent anything after modernism. While the theologian Thomas Oden sees modernism as post-Communism and "hyper modernism," and the rise of relativism thought, the author feels that it is more about the loss of moral clarity in an increasingly "spiritual but not religious" climate. In this context, author Gene Edward Veith Jr has chosen to discuss the shape of Christianity in the midst of this postmodern atmosphere. Using the term "Post-Christian," he is careful to explain that it is not the end of Christianity per se, but a "new Christian guide to contemporary thought and culture." With great care and astute observation, Veith highlights the nature of the "universal wolf" having the tripartite of "power, will, and appetite":

POWER: Many institutions and movements have become "masks" for power; The fight for power is shrouded as a form of resistance against any form of transgression; (eg. push-backs by LGBTQ against traditionalists, racial minorities against whites, pro-choice against opponents, etc)
WILL: The will is higher than "moral meaning." Choice is the ultimate over all other things, feeding on the legislation of human rights.
APPETITE: We all have a right to what we want, what we feel, and what we desire.


In this book, he goes further to show us the extent of Postmodern reach. Part One is about the REALITY of our present state, on how the present cultural mood construct reality, especially in the world of science and technology. He notes how the public have drifted toward a more gnostic worldview, where the spirit of deconstructionism has even "interrogated" science. In other words, science is no longer an independent factual entity, but something subjected to the mercies of a constructionist and relativistic mindset. Veith helpfully traces the progression of thought from the Enlightenment's "Age of Reason" to the Romanticism's "exaltation of the self" and to our present state of rationalization and experienced reality as the final arbiter of truth. Man has become the center of the world. In science, Veith compares and contrasts the false reality of relativism against the objective truth. He distinguishes science from technology by saying that the former refers to "knowledge" while the latter is about "art or craft." He notes how the technological advances have given man the confidence to deify himself. We have substituted virtual reality in exchange for what is real. Veith concludes with Johann Georg Hamann's legacy to say that "truth is not necessary as clear and lucid as the rationalists wanted to make it seem."

Part Two is about the way people see their physical bodies with a focus on sex and having children. While the Bible teaches us the truth of "one flesh" union between a man and a woman, the postmodern construct expands the nature of sex to all kinds of combinations and unions. So much so that sex has pervaded politics, technology, and worldview. Veith gives several interesting observations which readers would be intrigued. He also observes the evolution of sex from the dangers of premarital sex, and the adulterous renditions of sexual relationships, and the evolution of same-sex preferences. He calls gay marriage as the "template" of postmodern construct. Sex has become divorced from childbearing. Man has substituted natural sex to engineering children. Such engineering prowess makes the term LGBTQ2 not as inclusive as it ought to be. Veith even proposed a new term "LGBTQQICAPF2K+"! He rightly observes that if the LGBT group wants to be truly inclusive, they ought to include heterosexuals as well. Interesting thought.

Part Three looks at the moods of SOCIETY in general with a focus on culture, politics, and civilization. Veith argues that this postmodern deconstruction has undermined community and the family. He even says that the rise of multiculturalism is a result of an arrogant desire to see different races represented. In other words, the goal is not cultural diversity, but to see different colors of people but all having the "same thoughts and values." In other words, they may look different on the outside, but inside they are similar, that is, they are race-discriminative. A deconstructionist mind takes control in the pursuit of power and politics. Veith also takes a look at Richard Niebuhr's "Christ and Culture" proposals and concludes that none of the five proposals are effective in this present postmodern climate. Veith proposes "rebuilding from the ground up," like how the Early Church rebuilds the Church in the midst of a disastrous Dark Ages era. It can be a new "Benedict option," or as Veith prefers, a "Luther option."

Part Four deals with RELIGION with a particular look at spiritual matters especially with regard to the future of Christianity. After discussing the spirituality awareness situation among people, even atheists, Veith feels that there is much hope because the age of secularization will not last. More likely there will be a new form of "New Age Movement." He also looks at the rise of the NONES, who will eventually feel that even though they trumpet the personal and private forms of faith, they lack the community that is so critical to the health of any spiritual person. Even atheists who may claim to have no religion, have religious rhythms in their thinking and behaving. As far as the Church is concerned, the need is to "desecularize the Church" rather than to be distracted by the outside secularizing world.

My Thoughts
There are three reasons why I like this book.

First, he gives us a good overview of the historical contexts of each movements. Starting from the Enlightenment era, he explains how the present world is not particularly different from past revolutions. In doing so, learning the history of cultural developments is a powerful way to determine how to approach the challenges posed by our present age. For instance, the way that he suggests on how Church can approach culture, he brings together the historical happenings of Benedict, Luther, and Niebuhr's to give us a possible route toward redemption.

Second, Veith is an authority in observing postmodern trends. As a writer of Postmodern Times which began in 1994, Gene Edward Veith Jr has seen the different trajectories of the postmodern movement(s). If there is a way to generalize what Postmodern effects are, it would be deconstructionism. Marriages have been deconstructed to include all other forms of marriage. Feminism have moved to include transgenderism. Multiculturalism and trans humanism have grown popular. We learn of how the sexual revolution has led to the pervasiveness of LGBT movements; and how so many sectors in society have become politicized.

Third, some of Veith's observations are arguable, which makes this book appears like an invitation to a conversation. His arguments can be dense and multilayered, which requires more careful reading or re-reading. Context is key before concluding anything. For instance, when he mentions the way the new deconstructionist mindset has undermined community and family, I find it curious because many secular groups have been strongly promoting the importance of community and family. Then I realize that Veith observation reaches beyond what meets the eye. The very reason for secular groups in promoting the importance of community and family is because they are experiencing first-hand alienation of individuals. Without addressing the underlying problems of society and postmodern constructionist philosophies, any efforts to promote community would achieve limited success. The way Veith invites us to consider the various points helps keep this matter an open book discussion rather than some dogmatic statement. Through questions and incisive probes, readers are welcome to offer their own critiques and questions too.

I enjoy reading the many perceptive observations in this book that shows me that things are not what they seem to be. Many of them are powerful critiques of what many people would deem as norm. The biggest danger of it all is the deconstructionist mindset that seeks to unravel everything to the detriment of the natural makeup of creation. Man has become so arrogant of his ability to rationalize everything that he has manipulated everything to become what he is rationalizing. In his introduction to the book, Veith notes how the constructionist mind has upended the traditional views of everything. Be warned. This book is no easy read but richly enlightening.

Gene Edward Veith Jr is provost and professor of literature emeritus at Patrick Henry College. He previously worked as the culture editor of World magazine. Veith and his wife, Jackquelyn, have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Pluralism has given way to identity politics. Relativism has given way to speech codes. Humanism has given way to transhumanism, the union of human beings and machines.


To me culture is how we see reality, not always truth but a norm. In Christianity, the fall of our faith is how respond to culture. If our faith is influenced by culture, we have no faith however, if culture is influenced by faith, we have a revival. Jesus was not influenced by the culture of his day, however, today he is still influencing the culture.

Veith takes a detailed look at thought and culture and how it applies for us today. We are not seeing something new and there never was the good ol days of Christianity flourishing. If anything, it is a time of examining what we believe and the most important who believe and why. This text is for Christians that maybe overwhelmed by the culture and to be reminded that there is nothing new.
Christianity is not over, but as in the past will prove itself in the hearts of men and women.

The text is broken into 4 parts, Reality, The Body, Society, and Religion. Together these 4 parts have progressed in culture but in Christianity have remained the same. The history of Christianity shows its error but it also shows the gospel. The glory of God for the good of God's creation. Highly recommend.

A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Post Christian By Gene Edward Veith jr. Is a book stating that we live in a post-Christian world and that man has tried to take the place of God.
The description of this book says “This timely book demonstrates how the Christian worldview stands firm in a world dedicated to constructing its own knowledge, morality, and truth. Gene Edward Veith Jr. points out the problems with how today's culture views humanity, God, and even reality itself. He offers hope-filled, practical ways believers can live out their faith in a secularist society as a way to recover reality, rebuild culture, and revive faith.“
I found this book very well written, deeply thought provoking and solid. I recommend this book.

This book is definitely for those interested in learning about postmodernism and it’s affects on Christianity. Although the title and description of this book sounded interesting to me, it is not meant for the average Christian seeking to learn more about society’s impact on their faith (and vice versa). I am definitely not the target market for this book, but I found the theories presented very intriguing. I loved how the author pointed out that in a society that has little appreciation for devotion to a single religion, such as Christianity, a lot of our cultural movements are pointing back to Christianity. If I were more interested in learning about postmodernism, I would have read the entire book.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC!

In "Post-Christian" Gene Edward Veith, Jr, sets out to demonstrate that as we have become more secular, our preoccupations with power, will, and appetite have grown. His explanations and explorations of philosophy are solid, but readers should be aware that this is a very conservative text with broad generalizations (especially about academia) that Veith does not support with citations. The book takes issue with the many "demons" that haunt the far right: homosexuality, abortion, consumerism, technology, and pornography. As a liberal reader, the author's biases (a single, unified version of what is properly Christian) kept me from wanting to learn more about a state of the world that we have supposedly entered. There may be much to learn here, but Veith would do well to support his claims as ardently as he supports his scripture-based arguments. Of course, I am willing to note that my own biases may simply be in conflict with what Veith believes. Readers should know going in, however, that there is nothing neutral here.

Anything GEV Jr writes is great and important reading for every Christian.

This book falls into this category as well. He elucidates current trends and this is a good companion to his prequel book.

Although humanity is crazy, there is hope, and some of the statistics that he mentions are encouraging to know in regards to the growth of Christianity.

An okay book on an interesting topic. That does not mean I always agreed with the author, but sometimes it's good to not only read books that are exactly in your own line of thought.