The Effects of Postmodernity on Christianity
We live in one of the most exciting times in all of human history. We are witnesses to a historical shift unlike the world has ever known. The culture around us is raising serious questions about the validity of any absolute epistemology, morality, and sense of truth. In fact, we are witnessing the final shift from deciding which divine belief is true (premodernity), to accepting that no divine belief is true (modernity), and now many are deciding that no one can know aboslutely than any specific divine belief is true (postmodernity). The question that Christ asked Peter: "Who do you say I am?" is a question that is proving its relevancy to each of our lives.
Examples abound of this influence, but here are a few tangible examples.
Why Only One Way?
The belief in the exclusivity of the Gospel in that Jesus Christ is the only name under that one might be saved (Acts 4:12; Joh 14:6) is coming under increasing scrutiny from both within and outside of the Christian community. Most Christians simply don't know how to recognize when postmodernity is influencing their world view, and increasingly Christians are becoming more and more influenced by worldly philosophy and not the Scriptures.
What Does It Mean To You?
Have you ever been in a Bible study where a passage is read, and the question is asked: "What do you think this passage means?" Often times, after going around the group, we are told by the leader to accept them as all valid (in one way or another). Too often unity is interpreted in a sense that leads to doctrinal indifference. When God reveals himself it is not left to the agent to decide how he will interpret the revelation; God reveals himself in a specific way that is most glorifying to himself. We must approach the Scriptures as containing foundational, inerrant, and sufficient truth in which to build our entire epistemology and world view. Anything less than that falls short of giving God his due glory.
What Is God's Will For My Life?
Certainly one thing we all struggle with is understanding where God would have us, but the great truth is that this question shouldn't be a question. I've heard all to often from believers that they feel that God would have them have a certain vocation, family structure, etc. How many times in the Scriptures do the people of God sit around struggling with what God would have them do? Certainly they struggle with disbelief (such as Abraham not having offspring), but they never question the substance of what God is doing in their lives for his glory.
I believe the greatest impetus to this problem is trying to conjure a view of God's "calling" is influenced by our individualistic and humanistic culture. We can often get into a trap of viewing God's calling as a democracy; the majority does not decide what God will and will not have done. It comes from his mind alone.
Recapturing God's Word
The time is now more important than ever to rediscover the eternal truths contained within God's eternal word his son Jesus, and his written word given for our instruction. When we start developing our world view's on the Scriptures then we see with increasing clarity that reality is not in the eye of the beholder but of the creator.
Apr 24th 2007 
13 Comments 
Apr 24th 2007
Enjoyed your post!
"...many are deciding that no one can no absolutely than any specific divine belief is true (postmodernity)"... is there a typo in there? I've read this a couple times.
What's the difference between modernity and postmodernity?
Isn't this a pretty philosophical question? Determining our epistemology? I haven't read a lot of philosophy but, at this point, I've determined that there is no way to determine absolute truth. I've found what convinces me and I believe it applies to everyone. But in many senses, it's not absolute (i.e. I can't conclusively prove it). At the same time, I do believe in absolute truth - it's just not absolute in the sense that I could objectively demonstrate it to others. What do you think of that? That may be a long philosophical path...
I liked your last sentence a lot.
I may be a perfect example of someone affected by postmodernity... :-)
Apr 24th 2007
@Amanda: Thanks. I have fixed the typo. It should've been "no one know".
The difference between the two is, from what I understand, to be centered around rationalism for modernity and relativism for postmodernity. In modernity we can know everything, but in postmodernity we can't be sure we can possibly know anything.
The question you brought up in your third paragraph revolves around the verb "prove." Can I prove that Jesus is God? Well, I can make historical statements, defend the Scriptures, etc., but faith is still an essential ingredient to our truth claims. That is why modernity had a hay-day with it, and postmodernity simply could care less.
Apr 25th 2007
Thanks! Great answer. Just thought I'd point out that modernity gave us Kant who argued for a divine belief... so I'm not sure it's true to say that modernity says no divine belief is true.
Apr 26th 2007
"...but the great truth is that this question shouldn’t be a question."
Are you saying we should never question what God's calling is for our lives? Are you saying God has a singluar calling for all indivdual people? Certainty we are all givin a general call to missions, is that what you are speaking of? Do you think it to be impossible that God is calling someone to a certain vocation, family life, etc...?
Apr 26th 2007
@Perry: Yes, God I believe does have a singular call on all of his redeemed in a missiological sense. It's certainly not impossible to be called to have a family (the Scriptures in fact teach that unless those truly gifted with celibacy should "be fruitful and multiply"). I'm just leery of people who say: "God has called me to sell kitchen knives." You laugh, but I've heard stuff like that.
Apr 27th 2007
I don't think that "God calling me to sell kitchen knives" is out of the question. I mean maybe that area turns out to be a good witnessing tool. I don't think we should put limits on God's call on each and every person's life.
I have been in a few Bible Studies as you speak of. But I am thankful for Perry and Bobby's bible study There not shy in shooting my ideas down. : ) I do think that an ok answer as a Bible Study leader is "I don't know" I have encountered a lot of people that lead, that really don't know and like you said just accept whatever anybody comes up with. This is very very dangerous.
Down With Post Modernism!!!!!
Apr 27th 2007
Mike, you have one fabulous pun in your post. I'm pretty sure it was unintended... but you said that God calling people to sell kitchen knives could be a good witnessing tool. :-) That's fabulous!!! Anyway, had to comment on that...
Personally, I have no idea what God does here. I lean towards the idea that God wouldn't call you to something so specific... but, why not?
Apr 27th 2007
I don't think Chris was trying to "put limit's on God's call" when he made the kitchen knife statement. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he was pointing out the limits we ourselves often put on what "God's call" is. We (and by "we" I mostly mean "me") all too often say that this one thing is what God's calling on my life is. When the truth is, this is what I feel comfortable doing. I may be in a place where I am selling kitchen knives right now and I hope that I would be finding joy in knowing that He is being glorified. However, if suddenly I lose my hands and am no longer able to demonstrate how great my knives are, I also hope that I would trust that God had not left me... callingless.
During these new post-college years we (I) are (am) plagued with thoughts of "am I doing the right thing?" "is this where God wants me?" and "am I on the right path to where God would have me?". Then I begin thinking about the choices we have in those areas. Choices which, in Biblical times, weren't even options. You did what your father did. Or in my case... you had babies. Yet with all of those non-options: God was sovereign, God's purpose was revealed and God's glory remains unextinguishable.
Thanks for this thought-provoking post Chris.
Apr 27th 2007
@Amanda-Thanks
@Bethany- I see what you are saying and I agree.
As a matter of fact I think God is calling me to be a billionare with a big house and ten cars. I also will be attending Joel Olsteen's church next sunday. : ) lol
What's your thoughts on Mr. Olsteen Chris?
Apr 27th 2007
@Bethany: Thank you for those incredible comments. Glad to have you in the conversation.
@Mike: Don't get me started.
Apr 29th 2007
Hahaha.... Alright, I won't. I think we would both agree on the subject matter.
May 5th 2007
>>> "To often unity is interpreted in a sense that leads to doctrinal indifference."
Sorry to correct your spelling - I've looked for my plank and can't find it but spotted this mote straight away - "too often", not "to often". Yes I do proofreading too.
May 5th 2007
@pbhj: Updated! Thanks!