Abstract:
Theologians see the postmodern era either as a crisis or a challenge, depending on
their view of Scripture and on the roots of the postmodern era. This is illustrated by
contrasting the views of Johan Janse van Rensburg and Andries van Aarde. The
view of Johan Janse van Rensburg is described as "foundationalist". According to
this view, science is viewed as only being possible when built on indubitable facts. As
the philosophies of the modern era are questioned by those of the postmodern era,
the "foundationalist" view of Scripture experiences the new era as a crisis. Andries
van Aarde sees postmodernity as a positive challenge to the church. This optimism is
founded on a view of Scripture that can withstand the scrutiny of the postmodern era
built on the insights of Jacques Derrida. In order for the church and theology to take
up the demands of the new era, this article hopes to prompt the on the view of
Scripture.
