Resisting the Normative Gaze – Part 1
Resisting the “Normative Gaze” – Part 1
by postmodernegro
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Will the emerging church be able to resist the historic “normative gaze” of a particular Christian culture that assumes the normativity of European culture and theology?
This is a question that has been on mind as I reflect on the idea and practice of the embracing church within the emerging church. What is the “normative gaze” and why should it be resisted?
The “normative gaze”, to borrow from Cornel West, is the idea that white culture (for the purposes of this discussion, Evangelical culture) is the norm for Christian theology and practice. Typically, this is made evident in discussions when the Protestant Reformation is talked about in a way that leaves those in the conversation thinking that the Reformation was the first and only Christian movement in church history. I don’t want to give the wrong impression here. There is much that I appreciate about the Reformation. It is a part of my Christian world. Every Christian tradition I have been a part of has been deeply influenced by the Reformation. From my early days as a Pentecostal to now. I guess I could write my own “generous orthodoxy”. Why I am Pentecostal/Charismatic/Calvinist/Evangelical/Anabaptist/Liberationist Christian.
“I will try to show that the idea of white supremacy emerges partly because of the powers within the structure of modern discourse – powers to produce and prohibit, develop and delimit, forms of rationality and scientificity and objectivity which set perimeters and draw boundaries for the intelligibility, availibility and legitimacy of certain ideas.” (West, p.49)
For the purposes of this post I want to suggest that Modernity is more than just responsible for absolutist forms of government and theologies. It is also partly responsible for the emergence of the idea of “normative” white Christian culture.
In other words.
When you look upon me do you see an inferior culture? When you see me reading James Cone or David Walker do you see me doing “weak” theology? or “compromised” theology? When you see me shouting and running around the church exercising my existential bodily freedom in the context of black worship in the shekinah glory of Yahweh do you see me engaging in frivolity, catharsis, and emotional absent mindedness? When I say “amen” to the preacha do you see me as one who has ejected “reason”? When I say, dare I say it, “I feel the truth” am I somehow engaging in a less reasonable theology and praxis? When I say God showed up in my prayer closet and spoke to me in a still small voice am I engaging in “heresy”?
More later.
Really like your start-up – Great stuff.
Trying to get a RSS feed to my Newsgator working unsuccessfully. It rejects the two links as you have them at present. Any ideas?
Gordon
I am afraid you are speaking Greek to me. Any blog-techies out there, feel free to help here!
to answer the questions you ended with: "No." I don’t think you are doing "weak" theology, or have (r)ejected "reason" as you say. But, I just don’t see how all this is postmodern? You, and the whole of the "emergent" movement needs to define this term. You need to post a working definition otherwise emergent will be brushed under the rug with all the others. There are too many definitions and ideas about postmodern-ity/ism to have an accurate idea of what anyone is talking about.
In short, I agree with what you have written here, but why is this new to anyone? It may be new to north american evangelicals, but that is the minority of christians. Will Emergent please say something "original" and "new" about theology? I have yet to hear one drop of it…
Hey Jake. Thanks for your input. We are always open to hear the critiques of others. I do have some questions and suggestions, however, if you sincerely want to find the answer to your challenge.
First, out of curiousity, outside of the internet, which Emergent books or events have read/participated in? The reason I ask is that I believe a great deal of theology has been put forward by Emergent. Emergent has written a great letter to its critics that I would invite you to read (if you have not already), which can be read here:
http://emergent-us.typepad.com/emergentus/2005/06/official_respon.html
I would also be curious to know what you mean by “theology”. Are you looking for a unified, systematic theology? If so, I am not sure you will ever find one. I believe that Emergent is more of a theological contextualization. Sure, it does explore and present theology, but it is too “young” to offer to much in the way of definitive doctrine (which, I believe, it neither wants to or will).
In regards to saying something “original” or “new”, I would also like to know what you mean. I am not sure that, theologically, Emergent is presenting all that much that IS new, but rather reevaluating the contextualization of theology.
Finally, while I agree that North American Evangelicals do not represent the “majority” of the church, they are also not to be dismissed as simply a “small minority”. I do not characterize myself as an Evangelical (large “E”, but I am small “e”), but we cannot ignore the level of influence they wield. For better or for worse, being among some of the most socially and charitably active Christians in the world, they represent a force to be acknowledged. Even if these ideas are new to them only (which I do not think is the case) the resulting impact will effect everyone on some level.
Again, thanks for your input. I would invite you to post with your own contact/site information available so that others could dialogue with you- if you are interested, that is. I appreciate your contribution.
Arn’t Canadians Americans too?
Hey Mike. If you mean that Canadians are Americans by saying they are NORTH Americans, then yes. However, the term American has come to refer to United States citizens. As a dual citizen of Canada & the US, I have a great love and respect for both countries. However, there are significant cultural distinctions between the the two, both generally and in the church. Therefore my use of the term "American" is out of convenience to differentiate. I hope to post more on these distinctions in the near future, so good question. Thanks for stopping by!
Please say more about persons from the US and Canadaians. I use the term American to refer to North American (except for Mexicans – they don’t count – just kidding of course)
Jake,
Great questions and concerns. My questions were meant for you to ponder on. For many Christians haven’t had the opportunity to ask themselves these questions. If you have already answered them in your mind that’s all the better. As far as Emergent defining the term "postmodern". There’s a whole lot of stuff out there in the manner of books, articles, essays, etc. talking about post-modern. Are you asking for my definition of it? I am not sure what you are asking here. On the Emergent Village website there is an excellent introduction under the link "the Emergent Story" that sort of narrates what is going on in this conversation/movement.
As far as saying something "new". I don’t think saying something "new" is really the goal for many of us in the conversation. I think the goal is to be faithful to the gospel in our generation. Which means revisiting "old" stuff. Being "innovative" isn’t really a theological category I think God holds us to. But maybe you know something I don’t.
I would bet that that is part of the problem with Western Christianity…it is caught in an ever newness characteristic of living in a capitalistic consumer economy where we are always off for new experiences and vistas. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing its just that we need to reminded of the old places. That’s why you will hear the term "ancient-future" by people in the emerging church conversation.
One of things that intrigues me about the emerging church conversation is that it is reminding some Christians in some quarters that christianity is a 2,000 year old tradition and conversation. There is too much old stuff to be over-determined by concern for being "innovative" and "new".
Ant
Ant. Great insights. I have always found the word "originality" helpful in regards to the church. While it allows for the "new" or "innovative", its root is in "original"- linking it to history.
This, perhaps, is what the Old Testament genealogies teach us so well. "I am the God of your father: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." While God relates uniquely to each consecutive generation, finding manifestation in a great diversity of expressions, His convenant is constant, unchanging, rooted in the beauty of Creation- our Original Blessings.
Too often in Western Christianity, we attempt to clone the Church- clone models, formulas, worship styles, etc. Even in the emergent journey there is the risk that we see value in other traditions (i.e. Roman Catholic) and simply trying to replicate form and function. While the intention might be good, what results is often "genetic drift" aka defects.
That being said, God does not leave us or require us to remain in a state of static unchange. Rather, He relates to us uniquely and contextually, always reminding us of where we came from, where we are and where we are going.
I look forward to reading the next part(s) to the "Nortmative Gaze" articles. Thanks.
Peace, Jamie
Jamie,
I agree that the same consumerism that influences the desire for the "ever-new" can also influence the desire to pick and choose, uncritically and without appreciation, the deep and old traditions of the Faith. I think that is one of the valid criticisms of the emerging church conversation. That is…the diving into traditions and practices without deeply emerging oneself into its rich history and praxis. Which could cause one to miss alot…me thinks.
I will be working on Part 2 of Normative Gaze this afternoon.
Ant
On this line, Brian McLaren has posted a new post ("Brian McLaren Reflects on the Emergent Summit") at emergent-us that is exploring these issues (in part). I will be posting some comments there. Thanks Ant.
I like the content, but that your articles have so many spaces should be modified I think, and epically the end.