Our society has become "postmodern."
(Some are arguing that we are already past "postmodern"…post–postmodern, I guess!) 🙂
If I can paint these concepts with a very broad brush (and risk over-simplification), "modern" thinking was based on the concept that absolute, universal truth exists…that people can search out the truth through rationalism & scientific thought processes.
"Post-modernism" is a response to "modernism." It questions whether absolute or universal truth even exists…it believes in moral relativism…it elevates personal opinion/experience as defining truth for the individual.
After reading The Epistle of 1 John many, many times recently, it’s clear that this cultural trend is the opposite of Biblical Christianity…the opposite of the Apostle John’s view.
Throughout his epistle, John holds to the fact that people can "absolutely know" certain things. They can "know" God. They can "know" what true love is. They can "know" right from wrong. They can "know" what is true and what is false, based on objective tests.
This Sunday, we are starting a new series through the epistle of 1 John. It’s called "In the Know" and it’s a critical series for us today. Here is our schedule, so you can read ahead and study with us.
- June 3 — "Knowing
Joy" (1:1-5) - June 10 — "Knowing How to Walk" (1:6-2:2)
- June 17 — "Knowing God" (2:3-17)
- June 24 — "Knowing Deceivers" (2:18-29)
- July 15 — "Knowing God’s Children" (3:1-10)
- July 22 — "Knowing Love" (3:11-24)
- July 29 — "Knowing God’s Spirit" (4:1-6)
- Aug 5 — "Knowing God’s Love" (4:7-5:3)
- Aug 12 — "Knowing For Sure" (5:4-13)
- Aug 17 — "Knowing Jesus" (5:14-21)
Go ahead and take a look at 1 John 1:1-5 for Sunday and ask yourself 2 questions:
- Is it possible for me to cultivate the same tangible relationship with Jesus that the apostles had?
- Am I experiencing "full joy" in every area of my life?
Join us on this counter-cultural journey! 🙂
Just a picture of how I understand pre-modern, modern, and post-modern thought. If I have this wrong, please let me know. The example I learned I believe to be correct if I have the labels properly placed. Here we go: Pre-modern thought-An umpire behind the plate calls balls and strikes. If a pitch is in the strike-zone, it is a strike. Basically, God’s laws apply evenly and universally and are objective. Modern thought-An umpire behind the plate who calls ’em as he sees ’em. His subjective observation interprets the laws. Basically, God’s universal truth is discovered through scientific method. Post-modern thought-An umpire behind the plate observes pitches cross the plate, but they aren’t balls or strikes until he calls it. Basically, universal truth is thrown out, there is no God, and truth is what I say it is (totally subjective). If the picture is accurate, it certainly can be helpful.
J-Luv,
Great discussion. I’ve never heard that example but I’m chewing on it.
Check out this website which is another broad summary of the three systems of thought: http://www.postmodernpsychology.com/Philosophical_Systems/Overview.htm
Let me offer another version of your story.
PREMODERN == The umpire (God) calls balls and strikes.
MODERN == A precisely-engineered electronic system like a radar gun (human intellect & science) calls balls and strikes.
POSTMODERN == The players wonder if there is such a thing as a ball or a strike.