Theology beyond foundationalism: The theological oeuvre of Nancey Murphy.

We are now living in the transition from modernity to postmodernity. The implications of this transition are being carefully watched and measured by the Protestant West. The work of Nancey Murphy has been instrumental in the endeavor to trace the philosophical/theological transition from modernity to postmodernity. Murphy's theological oeuvre reveals three main themes essential to understanding this transition: (1) the differentiation of modern and postmodern philosophy; (2) the analysis of the theological adaption of modern and postmodern philosophy; and (3) the quest to move beyond foundationalism. Based on Murphy's analyses, this paper endeavors to examine the influence of modern philosophical foundationalism upon theology. It then explores how postfoundational, "holistic" approaches may be seen to act as a panacea to problems caused by modern foundationalist theological assumptions. The closing argument of the paper maintains that if "postmodernity" can be understood in terms of postfoundationalism, theologians and pastors will be better able to communicate Christ to a postmodern world with confidence and effectiveness.