Postmodernism: John MacArthur of Grace Community Church has written a powerful book called “Why one way” explaining how our culture has veered from a modernist view towards a post modern view. It’s powerful because it’s short and to the point. I recomend it to everyone who has doubted that Christianity is the only right way or for those who do not feel they can confidently explain this exclusivity to others.

I have the unfortunate experience of seeing this first hand. By first hand, I mean face to face. It’s plain as day that popular media is heavily pushing postmodern theology across all forms of media. However many people, especially those christians deeply buried in Christendom, may not see it that often. It’s easy to get to a point where everyone you know or communicate with regularly shares your views.

To quickly explain, modernism from a theological perspective is the philosophy of the late 1800′s and first half of 1900′s that turned away from the concept that “the church” can explain matters of the world. “If I can’t see it or touch it it’s not real” statement might be uttered by a modernist. Of course, true modernism in general can be defined as a “new way of looking at things.”

Post modernism in general is just “yet a new way of looking at things,” but is vastly different than modernism. If the modernist views the world as concrete and definable, and 2+2 = 4, the post modernist would say that the world is varied and fluid and “let’s talk about what 2+2 could be.” From a theological perspective, they are willing to say that anything could be true.

Both views are still prevelant in our society. I frequently see the modernist view in the scientific community. There have been some grand lies propogated as “science” over the last few decades that serve as the foundation for the modernist’s world view. The post modernist view should quickly (in the next 20 years) dwarf the modernist view. The operative word for the post modern era is “tolerance”.

So when I said unfortunate above, I aluded to this post modern world view that is prevelant on school campuses. I saw it when I was at ISU, and I see it now at MCC. I don’t think it’s limited to just these campuses.

Also, when I say unfortunate I refer to the fact that the postmodernist knows only one thing is absolute; that is that nothing is absolute. Therefore anyone or any world view that claims they are exclusive or that can claim absolute truth is absolutely wrong.

There is a serious logic error with the statements above and the philosophy in general. A modernist would be incapable of accepting it. However a post-modernist has no problem with this paradox because it is a tenant to their belief and is simply accepted in much the same way a calculus student accepts the defition of a limit without understanding it until later on in the class.

The true problem with post modernism is that it uses fear of reproach to prevent those people who know the truth from sharing it with others. Because our media has done such a good job of pushing it’s doctrine of tolerance any dummy can close their mind to your statements when you start to suggest that your way is the only right way.

Our only weapon against post modernism is to boldly share the word of God with those who do not yet know him. Being in the word of God and being strong in your relationship with Him of course are necessary pre-requesites. Understand that as the Prince of This World grows stronger, more and more people will turn away from God. That means people will reject both you and your doctrine when you present it. Be strong, many will listen.