Premodern, modern and postmodern in the context of Christian history

Abstract

In public opinion it is accepted to distinguish three main stages (stasis) in the development of the European cultural consciousness, more precisely - three spiritual situations in the history of Europe - premodern, modern and postmodern. Religions have also undergone an epochal change in their paradigms here. As noted by the famous Swiss theologian Hans Küng, "in terms of religion, a paradigm shift means a change in the basic pattern, the basic structure, the basic model according to which one perceives himself, society, world and God." However, thinking about religious premodernity, modernity and postmodernity, we cannot temporarily and essentially relate these stages to the multi-denominational evolution of the spiritual life of the whole world, because these situations have not found a clear expression in the development of each of the religions that exist in it.