As It Was In The Days Of Modernism Pt. 2
In this second part of the article As It Was In The Days Of Modernism we must arrive at a point of understanding what Postmodernism is and how it relates to the church.Because of the nature of Postmodernism, a definitive meaning, though not impossible, does prove difficult.
The key word that defines Modernism is Proof. The Modernist accepted absolute truth but only if it was presented with proofs derived from Reason or Science. Without the proof, no truth was accepted.
In the Postmodern mind the key words are Diversity and Tolerance . There is definitive denial of absolutes (please not the obvious, though unstated oxymoron contained in the preceding 6 words).
Modernistic thinking caused many mainline denominations (as mentioned in the previous article) to reject and replace the authority of God's Word with the authority of the Scientist and the Philosopher.
Postmodern thinking, in the Church, rejects the exclusive claims of God's Word. Once the Word of God is not sufficient the God of the Word is insufficient as well. It brings to mind the verse .
Quote:
| till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ |
Note these examples:
Quote:
| Joel Osteen on Larry King Live re. Positivism and Christ KING: But you have rules, don't you? OSTEEN: We do have rules. But the main rule to me is to honor God with your life. To life a life of integrity. Not be selfish. You know, help others. But that's really the essence of the Christian faith. KING: That we live in deeds? OSTEEN: I don't know. What do you mean by that? KING: Because we've had ministers on who said, your record don't count. You either believe in Christ or you don't. If you believe in Christ, you are, you are going to heaven. And if you don't no matter what you've done in your life, you ain't. OSTEEN: Yeah, I don't know. There's probably a balance between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think that if you know Christ, if you're a believer in God, you're going to have some good works. I think it's a cop-out to say I'm a Christian but I don't ever do anything ... KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all? OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ... KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they? OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus. |
Dr. J. Vernon McGee, even in his lifetime, saw the rise of postmodernism in the form of “Christian Psychology. He states:
Quote:
| If the present trend continues, Bible teaching will be totally eliminated from Christian radio stations as well as from TV and the pulpit. This is not a wild statement made in an emotional moment of concern. Bible teaching is being moved to the back burner of broadcasting, while so-called Christian psychology is put up front as Bible solutions to life’s problems. -J. Vernon McGee, “Psycho-Religion—The New Pied Piper.” Thru the Bible Radio Newsletter, November 1986. |
Many of the “emerging” teachers of influence are reaching beyond the Bible to Mysticism.
1.Richard Foster
2.Walt Wangerin Jr.
3.Eugene Peterson
4.Brennon Manning
Each one of these “teachers” either endorse or teach those things which are akin to “New Age Spirituality”. Things such as “centering prayer”, “contemplative prayer exercises”, and “Christian yoga”.
Postmodernistic thought however, promotes blurring the lines. Acceptance in the broader Christian world is almost guaranteed if you have the right “Christian Celebrity” endorsement. It doesn't matter which direction the wind blows, as long as someone like Michael W. Smith smiles and says it's alright.
Great importance is attached to our response to this movement. We must strive to be on the right side of church history. For those of us in the solid, bible-believing, fundamental, local churches must not be fooled by a “Christian” publishing machine that accounts for some %15 of all books and music sold in this country. Instead we must learn the lessons of what happened to the churches of a century ago. The ones who embraced “contemporary” thought and died because of it.
Above all we must come to the Word of God with a sense of it's absolute Authority on the life of the church and the individual believer.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Matthew 10:25a
It is enough for the disciple that he is like his master, and the servant like his lord.
2 Thessolonians 2:15
Therefore, my brothers, stand fast and hold the teachings which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter.
Posted On May 4, 2006 at 12:30 AM
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