Pentecostalism, Postmodernism, and Reformed Epistemology: James K. A. Smith and the Contours of a Postmodern Christian Epistemology

(Hardback)

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Among many of his influences, James K. A. Smith set the agenda for Pentecostal philosophy with the publication of Thinking in Tongues, which addressed a wide range of philosophical loci through the lens of Pentecostal spirituality. In particular, he articulated an epistemology called narrative, affective knowledge, one that carefully utilizes the resources from continental philosophy and Pentecostalism. In Pentecostalism, Postmodernism, and Reformed Epistemology: James K. A. Smith and the Contours of a Postmodern Christian Epistemology, while accepting the broader descriptions of narrative, affective epistemology, Yoon Shin critically modifies and strengthens Smiths epistemology through careful exposition and critique and with the aid of wide-ranging resources, such as moral psychology, philosophy of emotion, postliberalism, and Reformed epistemology. Through his exposition, Shin argues that Smiths Pentecostal epistemology is not uniquely Pentecostal, but postliberal and postmodern. Against Smiths insistence that to be a Christian postmodern is to be a relativist, Shin critiques Smiths misunderstanding of postliberalism and its realist commitment and argues for a performative correspondence theory of truth. Moreover, he expands on Smiths thin prescription for knowledge by enlisting the aid of Reformed epistemology. Through dialogue with Reformed epistemology, Shin identifies three areas for dialogue between postmodern and Reformed epistemology in service of developing a postmodern Christian epistemology.

Reviews

Yoon Shins engaging study stages a constructive conversation few may have thought possible, namely that between Reformed epistemology, postmodern philosophy, and Pentecostal theology. The result is a substantive and creative proposala mashup epistemology as Shin styles itthat greatly enriches our thinking about religious knowledge and the possibilities available for Christian reflection upon the quality of our knowledge.

-- Philip G. Ziegler, University of Aberdeen

"Combining the most stimulating debates of the last decade, Yoon Shin courageously ventures into the seemingly contradictory interests of Pentecostal, Evangelical, Reformed and postmodern epistemologies through the lens of one of their chief interlocutors, James K.A. Smith. Critical and constructive, combining philosophy, theology, hermeneutics, and cultural studies, this conversation is an advocate for a postmodern Christian epistemology grounded in the concrete embodiment of the human situation."

-- Wolfgang Vondey, University of Birmingham

"In this significant work, Yoon Shin brings James K.A. Smiths postmodern epistemology into a much-need conversation with Reformed epistemology. The result is a magnificently lucid and engaging product that will mark a watershed moment in Pentecostalist scholarship. Pentecostalism, Postmodernism, and Reformed Epistemology: James K. A. Smith and the Contours of a Postmodern Christian Epistemology will be treasured by scholars for its rigorous argumentation, clarity, and depth of insight. A real tour de force! "

-- Brian Lightbody, Brock University

Author Bio

Yoon Shin is associate professor of philosophical theology at Southeastern University.