Those of us raised in denominational Christianity are frustrated and perplexed by the post modern rejection of universal absolutes. We were raised to believe truth was universal and therefore an absolute standard by which to judge all behavior and faith. We were raised to believe there cannot be divergent truths, whose application is determined solely by personal adherence and faith. Such ideas confuse us. We believe it is right or wrong….but it cannot be both?? The LCMS has debated for years whether the priority is to preserve the truth or proclaim the truth. How about live and demonstrate the truth?
Let me suggest we get past this argument. While our understanding frustrates them as elitist and arrogant and their understanding leaves us confused and accusing them of resisting accountability, such opinion only serve to distance us from each other. When Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman (John 4) who believed differently than Himself, there was no condemnation of her misguided faith. Instead He offered her a relationship with Himself and a way out of her dilemma. He reached out to her personally. He sought to meet her needs. Rather than correct her He chose to love and help her. There is a lesson there for each of us.
As an LCMS pastor my instinctive approach is to rebuke error, expose sin, teach truth, and share Christ. This approach is not especially effective with the post modern world. We get bogged down in discussing whether there is error, misunderstanding, differences of opinion, etc. I need to bridge the relational gap first. Second, I need to meet needs, heal wounds, demonstrate love in some tangible way….then I have earned the right to share Christ. It means changing a lifelong ministry paradigm and learning something new. Sometimes it is hard to teach this old dog a new trick. But I trust God is up to the task. I am ready to learn. Are you?
pastor…i’ve been thinking this post-modern angle for awhile….first, i’m not really sure what post-modern really means. is it a relative term for those getting older to tag the younger generation or an absolute term that is meant to define a specific generation in time?…..i think the gap that needs bridging is the generational gap. the key is to become more forgiving as we age, more servant minded as we age, more rightous-seeking as we age, more open minded as we age. the basic behaviors are tried and true and remain static….i do think our arrogance (all humans, really) holds us back more than anything….a typical modern Christian that is forgiving, servant-minded, rightous-seeking, and open-minded, will likely be effective with a post-modern person.
post modern?….i can’t make that term make sense….ben franklin thought himself a modern man….did he think alexander hamilton was post-modern?..
Comment by paul gorman — June 17, 2010 @ 7:26 pm |
Paul,
The modern world believed humanity possessed the wisdom to solve its problems. We conquered diseases such as small pox and polio. We sent a man to the moon. We created the United Nations to work on world peace. There were certain universal absolute truths that directed this world. Institutions and organizations were good, healthy, and necessary components of this effort to improve the world. Hence, the dramatic growth of the denominational church. The post modern world no longer believes man can significantly improve the world but must learn to make his own individual way in it. There are no universal absolute truths but rather the individual must seek out his/her own personal truths, which do not apply necessarily to others. Institutions have failed man and the denominational church is rejected as ineffective. Personal spirituality has replaced denominational membership. These are just a few thoughts. It is not necessarily a generational issue as some young people are still modernists and some senior citizens are post modern in their thinking. Post modern thought has been evolving for the last one hundred years…it is not a new reality.
Comment by revdrtut — June 17, 2010 @ 8:28 pm |