1

Postmodernism

Postmodern ThoughtLesson 1

2

• Philosophy – “the system of values by which one lives” (American Heritage Dict.)• Everyone has a philosophy of life –

we may not realize it, but every person has a way of thinking that determines how we view life

3

• In the scriptures the philosophy of life is sometimes represented by the word “mind”• Phil. 2:5• [5] Let this mind be in you, which

was also in Christ Jesus:

4

• “It is important to study various philosophies that men have followed or believed. In this way, we may understand more fully why some believe error, live error, and teach error to others.” [Alan E. Highers (Spiritual Sword, April, 2002)]

5The way a person thinks influences his behavior – Proverbs 4:23

• [23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)• Keep your heart with all

diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (NKJV)

6

• The thinking of a society – of a people – can be changed over time. Either by force or by subtle means

7

Postmodernism defined/described

• Postmodernism denies ABSOLUTE TRUTH and ABSOLUTE MORALS• It works to destroy the

FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS and MORAL VALUES of prominent structures in our society – especially CHRISTIANITY

8There is absolute truth Jn. 17:17; 8:32

• [17] Sanctify them through thy truth• [32] And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free: thy word is truth.

9There is an absolute moral standard – 1 Th. 5:22

• 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

10

• It refuses to permit any group’s belief to dominate any other group

11

• “The point of postmodernism is not ‘truth’ but power. Unable to defeat the power of the word of God through argument, postmodernists seek to dismiss God, to gag him by making him irrelevant.” (Sanders, 26)

12

Liberals (Modernist)

• Denied --- the Deity of Christ, miracles, the inspiration of the Bible

13

Postmodernist

• They say Christians can believe in the Deity of Christ, miracles and the inspiration of the Bible – BUT, they want Christians to be TOLERANT of all views

14

• “They are vocally intolerant of any view that describes itself as ‘the truth’, especially Christianity.” (Sanders, 26)

15

• As New Testament Christians we are disgusting to the postmodern thinker since we believe there is only one God, one faith, one church, one baptism, and one gospel

16

• Don’t be deceived – WE ARE AT WAR WITH THE POSTMODERN THINKER and with all things that are opposed to the word of God

17

2 Cor. 10:3-5

• [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:• [4] (For the weapons of our

warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

18

• [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

19

• Postmodernism “ claims every religious truth is a humanly manufactured product, and no truth is superior to any other truth. No religion is any better than any other religion.” (Sanders, 26)

20

•I. The Basis of Postmodernism

21

1. Pluralism

• The basic idea of Pluralism in religion is that everybody is right – even though these religious beliefs may be contradictory• This false thinking makes it hard on

N.T. Christianity• WHY?

22

•N.T. Christianity is an exclusive religion – that is, the only true religion authorized by the scriptures!

23

One Savior

• Acts 4:12• [12] Neither is there salvation in

any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

24

Jn. 14:6

• [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

25

One Truth

• Eph. 4:5• [5] One Lord, one faith, one

baptism

26

Jn. 8:32

• [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free: thy word is truth.

27

2 Jn. 9-11

• 9 Whoever transgresses[a] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

28

• 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; • 11 for he who greets him shares

in his evil deeds.

29

One body – the church

• Acts 2:47• [47] Praising God, and having

favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

30

Eph. 4:3

• [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

31

2. Relativism

• Postmodernists deny there are any absolute truths• They believe truth is manufactured,

not revealed from heaven• They believe truth changes with

culture

32

• Truth is what ever an individual believes it to be• You can have your truth and I

have can have my truth and even though they contradict each other, both are still true

33

• This thinking has been a part of denominationalism for a long time• “YOU HAVE YOUR

INTERPRETATION, AND I HAVE MY INTERPRETATION”

34

• Remember – with this type of thinking there are no absolutes• With this thinking there is no

standard of truth outside the individual• With this kind of thinking there

would be no reasoning!

35

Is. 1:18

• [18] Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

36There is a standard that exists – the Word of God – Jn. 17:17

• [17] Sanctify them through thy truth

37

Acts 26:25

• [25] But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

38

• This standard from God does not have 2,3, 50 or 100 different interpretations that conflict each other --- there is one, and only one, correct interpretation of God’s Word.

393. Postmodern thinkers say religion is a private matter

• Each individual may do as they choose in matters of religion• We may please ourselves by a “do-it-

yourself” religion with a “pick-and-choose” faith• This false thinking pleads for self-

made religion

40

Judges 21:25

• [25] In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

41

Col. 2:20-23

• 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— • 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do

not handle,”

42

• 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? • 23 These things indeed have an

appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.