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Modernism vs. Postmodernism

One lesson we have all learned from the war on terrorism is the

importance of knowing our enemy and adapting our combat strategy

accordingly. You cant fight a 21st Century terrorist using the tactics and

weaponry that helped win World War I & II. This is a different kind of

enemy, and the situation calls for a different kind of vigilance.

This is a lesson elders, deacons, preachers, and Bible teacherschurch

leaderswould do well to bear in mind.

For the past 100 years or more, evangelical Christian leaders have been

on guard against modernism. Unfortunately, most church leaders are

inadequately prepared to face the equally dangerous enemy of

postmodernism.

What is modernism? Modernism first arose more than a century ago. Itwas based on the assumption that only science can explain reality. The

modernist scorned the idea of divine revelation, miracles, or anything

supernatural. In other words, the starting point for modernism was a

rejection of the truth of Scripture.

Nonetheless, when modernism first began to dominate secular

societys worldview, many in the religious world were more than eager

to try to get in step with the spirit of the age. Some abandoned theirbelief in the supernatural elements of Scripture and tried to reduce the

Bible message to the moral elements of Jesus teaching. Because of the

influence of modernism, many so called mainline denominations

ultimately abandoned the Bible, becoming even deeper spiritual

wastelands.

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We are not living in the modern era anymore. Modernism is no longer

the most immediate philosophical danger facing elders, preachers, and

Bible teachers. This is the postmodern age, and postmodernism now

poses at least as great a danger to the truth of Christ as modernism

ever did.

Unfortunately, seemingly few church leaders are set for the defense of

the faith against postmodernism. In fact, it is probably true that the

vast majority dont even understand the enemy; unable to articulate

why postmodernism poses any threat to Christianity.

What is postmodernism? Postmodernism abandons the belief that

science can explain all reality. Instead, the postmodernist is convinced

that nothing can explain reality. The postmodernist is not even

convinced anything real objectively exists.

To the postmodernist, truth is whatever point of view the individual

prefers. Moreover, the postmodernist thinks that what is true for one

person might not be true for another. Truth itself simply doesnt mattermuch to a postmodernist; all that really matters is the dialogue

between ideas. And every idea deserves equal respect. This is the

postmodernist belief system in a nutshell.

Although postmodernism is a dramatic departure from modernist

thinking, it is just as hostile to the truth of Scripture as modernism ever

was. Like modernism, it begins with an anti-Christian presupposition,

and its philosophical starting-point entails a denial that Scripture isobjectively and authoritatively true.

Unfortunately, that hasnt stopped postmodernism from making

inroads into the religious world and leaving a profound imprint. If

elders, preachers, and Bible teachers are not aware of the problem or

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alert to its threat, the influence of postmodernist thought will no doubt

seriously erode the Gospel presentation, affecting the clarity of the

Bible message we are sending to a lost world.

Already there are preachers and Bible teachers who fear to proclaim

the exclusivity of Christ. Even among so-called conservative evangelists

there are some who are suddenly embarrassed to say they believe

Christ is the only way to heaven, and that all other religions are false.

That is a startling and inexplicable change from thirty years ago, when

One Way was more or less universally recognized as the slogan of

evangelical preachers and Bible teachers. One Way emblems on

bumper stickers, lapel pins, and other insignia were commonplace.

Church leaders believed and were not ashamed to say plainly that

Christ is the only way to heaven.

Sadly, that is no longer true. Why?

Under postmodernism, one virtue rises above all others: tolerance.

After all, if truth is merely a matter of personal opinion, who are we toimagine that our belief system is superior to any other? To hold strong

convictions or have settled assurance about matters of faith is

unwarranted conceit. To regard the Bible as unassailable truth is the

greatest arrogance of all. Or so postmodernism says.

But notice that the definition of tolerance has subtly been changed.

When our grandparents spoke of tolerance as a virtue, they meant we

should respect people and treat them kindly even when we believethey are wrong. Postmodern tolerance means never thinking anyone

elses beliefs are wrong in the first place.

In other words, the new tolerance is for ideas, not people. The one

cardinal sin in a postmodern world is to suggest that one belief system

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is right and all others are wrong. Equal latitude must be given to every

view.

In reality, nothing is more intolerant than postmodern tolerance.

Postmodernists demand that everyone think alike. They dont believe

objective truth exists, and they insist everyone else must also abandon

all certainty.

Such a worldview is antithetical to authentic biblical Christianity. Christ

Himself claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. He said, No

one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). The Apostle

Peter added: Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other

name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved

(Acts 4:12).

We cannot abandon the exclusivity of the Gospel, no matter how

unpopular it may be at the moment. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is

ultimately irrelevant if it is merely one of many pathways to God.

It is probably safe to say that in any church, a rigorous seeking andstanding for biblical truth does not usually generate popularityeven

within our own fellowship. But popularity should never be the goal. We

serve the Lord. An evangelical Christians passion should be helping

believers gain a deeper understanding for and a greater dependence on

His Holy Word. What is your passion?

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