The Immanent Frame In trying to describe the 'conditions of belief' which now obtain in the modern West, Taylor coins the term 'The Immanent Frame'. The buffered self which arises in the age of Reform (of which more later) moves in a constructed social space 'where instrumental rationality is a key value, and time is pervasively secular' (The Secular Age, p. 542).
In addition, this frame constitutes now the 'natural' order as distinct from the 'supernatural' one. Instead of the two orders being intertwined, the transcendent is now seen as quite separate from the immanent - which condition of course makes it possible later on to disavow the transcendent altogether.
So, the rise of the individual, now called to a more rigorous and disciplined life in the affirmed ordinary world, coupled with the emphasis on constructive action (because Providence itself now works via the medium of human action) and seen in the context of time now measured accurately by machines rather than charted by prophets or seers in epochal terms - these conditions comprise 'the immanent frame'.
If you are to be a religious believer, you have to believe against the backdrop of these conditions of belief, then.
2 comments:
Interesting series Michael.
If you are to be a religious believer, you have to believe against the backdrop of these conditions of belief, then.
It makes me wonder if this has a effect on the belief systems of Christians in us not expecting and being suspicious even doubtful of God moving in any form of so called supernaturalism within our churches and in the individual's life?
And or it making us less likely to share amongst / with each other when we do have such an experience?
[Jeremy Halcrow said:]
That's a very interesting question Craig.
Indeed Taylor argues that Calvinism played a key role in what he calls the 'disenchantment' from supernaturalism to naturalism. I'm sure MJ will have a lot to say about this later in his series.
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