Michael W. Goheen and Craig G. Bartholomew are authors of the book Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview.
They suggest that we (Christians) live in the crossroads of the Christian story and the Western Story. What is the Western Story? It has two parts: modernism and postmodernism. In summary, here is what Goheen and Bartholomew write about the Western Story of modernism during the modern period:
During the modern period (15th century AD – Present) a story developed in the culture that was hostile to the Gospel. This took place over five epochs.
First, in the Renaissance (15th & 16th centuries) there was renewed interest in the present world. Scholarly interest focused on the natural/material world. There was an increased emphasis on the autonomy of the earth and its independence from God. There was a strong focus on the role of humans seeking mastery over nature.
Second, during the Reformation (16th century) (which was the spiritual “twin” of the Renaissance) there was a growing value for human freedom and human autonomy.
Third, during the Scientific Revolution (16th-17th centuries) several key figures played into the discussion. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) believed that due to the Fall, humans had lost their relationship with God and their dominion over nature. The former would be repaired by religion. The latter would be repaired by science and technology. Knowledge would be based on experimental examination and inductive reasoning from observed particulars. Rene Descartes (1596-1650) believed humans could master the natural world by discovering the laws of nature. He emphasized a rationalistic and mathematical method to discerning these laws. Isaac Newton (1642-1727) combined these approaches into a scientific method that gave due place to both experimental observation and mathematical rationality. The church reacted negatively to the rise of this new science especially when its heliocentric view of the universe (the sun is at its center; the earth is not) appeared to contradict Scripture.
In addition, in the aftermath of the Reformation there was much Christian conflict. At the same time Christianity appeared to promise only division, science appeared to promise unity. Thus in Europe the church was no longer seen as the center around which a stable society could be built. Reason was now at the center.
Fourth, during the Enlightenment (18th Century) science replaced faith as “the light of the world.” It had four core beliefs:
#1 – Faith in progress. Immanuel Kan (1724-1804) – wrote “The destination of the human species as a whole is toward continued progess.” Henri de Saint-Simon (1760-1825) suggested that the golden age lies not behind us but in front of us. Images of a future paradise were common in writings of this time. They included the idea of material abundance.
#2 – Faith in reason. By reason alone humans could perfect life on earth. Science was held to be autonomous (liberated from superstitious Christian faith), instrumental (able to be used to control the world), and universal (able to apply to all people at all times).
#3 – Faith in technology. Knowledge of the laws of nature would give humans technology that could control nature.
