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 can’t 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 teachers—church

leaders—would 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. It

was 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

society’s worldview, many in the religious world were more than eager
to try to get in step with the spirit of the age. Some abandoned their
belief 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.
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 don’t 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 doesn’t matter
much 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 is
objectively and authoritatively true.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t 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
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 to
imagine 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 believe
they are wrong. Postmodern tolerance means never thinking anyone
else’s 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
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 don’t 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 and

standing for biblical truth does not usually generate popularity—even
within our own fellowship. But popularity should never be the goal. We
serve the Lord. An evangelical Christian’s 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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