Resisting Postmodernism: Upholding Absolute Truth in the Church
Summary
In today's discussion, we explored the question of whether the church should embrace postmodernism. The answer is a resounding no. Postmodernism, with its core tenets of relativism and pluralism, challenges the very foundation of Christian truth. It is crucial to understand postmodernism because it is the cultural "soup" in which we live, affecting our ability to witness effectively. If embraced, postmodernism inoculates individuals against the gospel, making it difficult for them to accept the absolute truth claims of Christianity. Moreover, it weakens the discipleship of believers who dabble in its ethos.
Postmodernism's relativistic stance towards truth means that all belief systems are seen as equally plausible, which directly contradicts the Christian assertion of absolute truth. This cultural phenomenon, which gained momentum after the 1960s, is characterized by a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, and language. It posits that truth is socially constructed, not absolute or objective.
The church must resist the temptation to adapt to postmodern culture by compromising its message. Instead, we should follow the example of the Apostle Paul, who did not alter the gospel to fit the cultural demands of his time. Paul preached Christ crucified, recognizing that the wisdom of God is greater than the wisdom of the world. Our task is to understand the culture to speak intelligently into it, but our message must remain faithful to the word of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Postmodernism: Postmodernism is pervasive in our culture, and understanding it is crucial for effective witnessing. It challenges the notion of absolute truth, which is foundational to Christianity. Without understanding this cultural context, our ability to communicate the gospel is hindered. [03:45]
2. Relativism and the Gospel: Embracing postmodernism's relativism inoculates individuals against the gospel. It makes it difficult for them to accept the absolute truth claims of Christianity, which are essential for salvation. This poses a significant challenge for evangelism and discipleship. [04:21]
3. The Church's Response: Some believe the church must adapt to postmodern culture to remain relevant. However, this approach is disastrous as it compromises the gospel's truth. The church must remain steadfast in its message, as altering it to fit cultural trends undermines its power. [05:28]
4. Language and Power: Postmodernism views language as a tool for power, rejecting grand narratives like the gospel. This perspective undermines the authority of Scripture and the truth of the Christian story. The church must affirm that the gospel is not just a story but the true story of God's redemption. [32:15]
5. Faithfulness to the Gospel: The Apostle Paul's example teaches us to remain faithful to the gospel, regardless of cultural pressures. The wisdom of God, as revealed in the gospel, surpasses human wisdom. Our message should not be dictated by cultural trends but by the truth of God's word. [49:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Introduction to Postmodernism
[00:39] - Why Discuss Postmodernism?
[02:43] - Understanding Cultural Context
[03:45] - Impact on Gospel Witness
[04:21] - Relativism's Challenge to Truth
[05:28] - The Church's Temptation to Adapt
[06:51] - Defining Postmodernism
[08:17] - Relativism and Pluralism
[10:27] - Truth as a Social Construct
[11:57] - Modernism vs. Postmodernism
[18:27] - Seven Aspects of Postmodernism
[26:21] - Language and Meaning
[32:15] - Language as Power
[49:14] - Faithfulness to the Gospel
[50:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the core tenets of postmodernism as described in the sermon, and how do they challenge the foundation of Christian truth? [08:17]
2. How does the sermon describe the impact of postmodernism on the church's ability to witness effectively? [03:45]
3. According to the sermon, what is the Apostle Paul's approach to cultural pressures, and how does it serve as a model for the church today? [48:59]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between language and power in postmodernism, and how does this perspective affect the authority of Scripture? [32:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the Apostle Paul's response to cultural demands for signs and wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, and what does this imply about the church's message today? [48:59]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that postmodernism's relativism poses a challenge to evangelism and discipleship within the church? [04:21]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of truth as a social construct in postmodernism, and what are the implications for Christian doctrine? [10:27]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of the church adapting its message to fit postmodern cultural trends? [05:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own understanding of truth. How do you reconcile the absolute truth claims of Christianity with the relativistic views prevalent in today's culture? [08:17]
2. Consider your interactions with non-believers. How can you effectively communicate the gospel in a culture influenced by postmodernism without compromising its message? [03:45]
3. In what ways can you ensure that your faith remains steadfast in the face of cultural pressures to adapt or change the gospel message? [48:59]
4. How can you engage with the cultural "soup" of postmodernism in a way that strengthens your witness rather than weakens it? [03:45]
5. Think about the role of language in your faith journey. How can you use language to affirm the authority of Scripture and the truth of the Christian story in your conversations? [32:15]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be tempted to compromise your beliefs to fit in with cultural trends. How can you address this temptation and remain faithful to the gospel? [05:28]
7. How can you support your church community in resisting the temptation to adapt its message to postmodern cultural trends? What practical steps can you take to encourage faithfulness to the gospel? [05:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding the Cultural Context of Postmodernism
Postmodernism is a pervasive cultural force that challenges the notion of absolute truth, which is foundational to Christianity. It is characterized by relativism and pluralism, suggesting that all belief systems are equally plausible. This cultural phenomenon gained momentum after the 1960s and is marked by a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, and language. Understanding postmodernism is crucial for effective witnessing, as it affects our ability to communicate the gospel. Without this understanding, our efforts to share the gospel may be hindered. [03:45]
"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness,' and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you better equip yourself to understand the cultural influences of postmodernism in your community, and how might this understanding enhance your ability to share the gospel effectively?
Day 2: The Challenge of Relativism to the Gospel
Embracing postmodernism's relativism inoculates individuals against the gospel, making it difficult for them to accept the absolute truth claims of Christianity, which are essential for salvation. This poses a significant challenge for evangelism and discipleship, as the relativistic stance towards truth means that all belief systems are seen as equally valid. For Christians, this is a direct contradiction to the assertion of absolute truth found in the gospel. Understanding this challenge is vital for those who seek to share their faith in a postmodern world. [04:21]
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you encountered relativistic thinking in your conversations about faith, and how can you lovingly present the absolute truth of the gospel in those situations?
Day 3: The Church's Call to Remain Steadfast
Some believe the church must adapt to postmodern culture to remain relevant, but this approach is disastrous as it compromises the gospel's truth. The church must remain steadfast in its message, as altering it to fit cultural trends undermines its power. The example of the Apostle Paul, who did not alter the gospel to fit the cultural demands of his time, serves as a model for us. Our task is to understand the culture to speak intelligently into it, but our message must remain faithful to the word of God. [05:28]
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that your personal witness and your church's message remain faithful to the gospel, even when faced with cultural pressures to conform?
Day 4: Language as a Tool for Power
Postmodernism views language as a tool for power, rejecting grand narratives like the gospel. This perspective undermines the authority of Scripture and the truth of the Christian story. The church must affirm that the gospel is not just a story but the true story of God's redemption. By understanding the postmodern view of language, believers can better articulate the gospel's truth and counter the narrative that it is merely a construct of power. [32:15]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use language effectively to communicate the truth of the gospel, ensuring that it is seen as the true story of God's redemption rather than just another narrative?
Day 5: Faithfulness to the Gospel Amidst Cultural Pressures
The Apostle Paul's example teaches us to remain faithful to the gospel, regardless of cultural pressures. The wisdom of God, as revealed in the gospel, surpasses human wisdom. Our message should not be dictated by cultural trends but by the truth of God's word. By following Paul's example, believers can confidently share the gospel, knowing that its power lies in its truth, not in its conformity to cultural expectations. [49:14]
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel pressured to conform to cultural trends, and how can you draw strength from the gospel to remain faithful to its truth?
Quotes
If you don't understand postmodernism, you don't understand the soup that your fellow travelers in this culture are swimming in. If you don't understand postmodernism, then you don't understand the stuff that is in the air that we're all breathing in this particular time and place in our cultural life. [00:03:02]
If a person truly embraces the tenets of postmodernism, it inoculates him or her to the gospel. If a person truly embraces the tenets of postmodernism, it actually makes it more difficult for them to hear the claims of truth that are being pressed by the Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel. [00:04:16]
There are many well-meaning Christians, including Evangelical believers and church leaders, who think that in order to speak into a post-modern culture, the church must to some extent adapt itself to that postmodern culture. That we must embrace postmodernism, at least in some aspects, if we are going to be able to address postmodernism. [00:05:08]
Postmodernism, from the outset, takes a relativistic stance towards truth. It wants to be pluralistic and relativistic in relation to all truth claims. For postmodernism, all belief systems are to be regarded as equally plausible. Something is true if it is true for me. [00:08:21]
Postmodernism refers to various movements in reaction to modernism that are typically characterized by a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, and language. For postmodernism, truth is socially constructed. Truth is not something that is absolute; it is not something that has an objective existence. [00:10:08]
Postmodernism first addresses the question not of how we know what is there, but how language functions to construct meaning. In other words, there has been a shift from the first things, from being to knowing to constructing meaning. [00:26:21]
Postmodernism says it's all about the story. It doesn't matter whether the story is true. And Christianity says, oh contrary, Pierre, if the story isn't true, it doesn't matter. Isn't that what Paul is saying? Again, we're back to 1 Corinthians 15. [00:30:19]
Postmodernism doesn't like what it calls meta-narratives, grand broad explanations of realities. It wants to invent its own stories and tell stories and allow stories to illustrate the perspectives and the experiences of individuals, but it doesn't want an overarching true story by which all other stories must be measured. [00:31:00]
Postmoderns do not want a grand overarching explanation of everything. They reject that because they view narratives as masking a play for power. It's a way of exercising your power over others. [00:32:15]
Postmodernism is about being good without God. For postmodernism, ethics, like knowledge, is a linguistic construct. It is a linguistic construct. Social good is whatever society takes it to be. [00:33:42]
If postmodernism is embraced, then Christians will embrace the idea that what's true for me may not be true for you. Now, I want to commend you to really think about this hard in your churches because it is my prediction to you that there are many of your young people, especially in high school and in college, who sit in Sunday School classes and church meetings. [00:39:22]
Christianity has not grown under the blessing of the Sovereign God and the power of the Holy Spirit because it has attempted to accommodate itself to every objection, but because it has been faithful to the word of God and it has been ready to answer every objection and reject every pretension to wisdom that is placed before it. [00:49:14]
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