and existentialist theologians have advocated for their modernization programs. Second,
it neglects the well-established position that technology is not neutral, "the medium is the
message." And lastly, technology tends to decontextualize its message.
The Liberalism of Conservatism
Adaptation of theology to cultural form was the bedrock of nineteenth century
understanding of the gospel is irrelevant to modernity because it was tied to an ancient
and obsolete cosmology that modern scientific thought and technological prowess have
dispelled. Rational modern people simply cannot accept a message intricately connected
to the ancient mythological worldview. The gospel must be demythologized in order to
address a modern audience. This means dispensing with many of the historic beliefs of
Christians such as the bodily resurrection and second advent of Christ, the virgin birth
and so forth. The gospel must be modernized, brought up to date, striped of its historical
accretions and made relevant,
For the world-view of the Scripture is mythological and is therefore unacceptable
to modern man whose thinking has been shaped by science and is therefore no
longer mythological. Modern man always makes use of technical means which
are the result of science. In case of illness modern man has recourse to physicians,
to medical science. In case of economic and political affairs, he makes use of the
results of psychological, social, economic and political sciences, and so on.
Nobody reckons with direct intervention by transcendent powers.
The results of science are always relative as that discipline continues to evolve
worldview presents the method of thinking through which modern people perceive
reality. The epistemological base of modern science calls for conformity. If people do not
comprehend things scientifically, they will not find them relevant or understandable.
Thus it is impossible for modern people to simultaneously accept the notion of the
supernatural and electricity; everything has a rational explanation,
It is impossible to use electric light and the wireless and to avail ourselves of
modern medical and surgical discoveries, and at the same time to believe in the
New Testament world of demons and spirits. We may think we can manage it in
our own lives, but to expect others to do so is to make the Christian faith
unintelligible and unacceptable to the modern world.
Evangelicals argue similarly, except they replace the scientific worldview with