Christian Worldview and Apologetics: Postmodernism’s Influence on the Church Today

“Preach the Word!” In 2 Timothy, Paul seems to have a keen awareness that Timothy would face a time characterized by individuals who would consistently deny the absolute truthfulness of God’s message in favor of a more relativistic and personally satisfying interpretation of reality. He warned that a time would come when people would “not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4, ESV). Paul was exhorting Timothy to be prepared for this tragedy in his lifetime, but he also gave this exhortation to us as we face the influences of postmodernism in our society and especially in our churches today.

Bobby-Howard

Bobby Howard

Postmodernism is a multifaceted concept that is generally difficult to narrow down to a single comprehensive definition, in part because the term is often used in a variety of contexts. Understanding the influence of postmodernism in the church may be easier if we view it as an extension of or a reaction to some of the key ideas held during the period of modernism that began in the 1800s. If modernism held high regard for reason, rationalism, and authority, then postmodernism responded with subjectivity, relativism, and assertions that absolute truth is not knowable. Generally speaking, we are experiencing postmodernism’s influence in our local churches when we see church attenders wrestling with issues related to relativism, truth and authority. Many members and people attending our churches have grown up and been influenced by a postmodern culture. Since this is the case, we can anticipate the need to focus on “preaching the Word” in order to promote a biblical worldview in the individual and corporate lives of our church family. How do relativism, views concerning truth, and views concerning authority influence our churches, and what are the implications of those realities?

A main area of focus is the postmodern concept of relativism. In a day when debates are raging over sexual orientation, the definition of marriage, abortion, and many other moral and ethical issues, we see our church attenders influenced by postmodernism when they tend to base views more upon personal preferences and experiences rather than on absolute truths taught in God’s Word. Modernism was characterized by a majority of people holding firmly to a foundational Judeo-Christian worldview — but in a pluralistic and relative postmodern period, morality is driven by a desire to let individuals determine right and wrong based on personal preferences and a spirit of freedom for individual choices. In open discussions in small group Bible studies, we may see trends where issues regarding right and wrong are no longer determined to be black and white but instead are left as some shade of gray. After a healthy open discussion about a matter of morality, I’ve witnessed a group of church attenders coming to the conclusion that although a matter was clearly addressed in Scripture, it should simply be left up to the individual to determine what was right and wrong. It was an illustration of how a postmodern culture has influenced church attenders toward a relativistic mindset.

So what can church leaders do in response to the influence of relativism? A focus on the reality of truth and holding a high regard for the authority of God’s Word is a key element in helping church attenders battle the relativistic view. Christians may stand firm on doctrinal truths that are truly objective based on an accurate understanding of the Scriptures. Messages spread through media have blurred the lines for some individuals, and they may no longer be willing to stand firm on biblical objective truth. Effective ministry will teach and model the idea that the Bible is full of objective truth, and that by not compromising in areas of truth, believers will be equipped for faithful service in kingdom work. With this in mind, we return to Paul’s encouragement to Timothy: “Preach the Word!”

Another important consideration involves the influence of a postmodern denial of authority. This is evident in churches when members are more concerned with tradition and personal preferences than with being guided by the authoritative Word of God. Postmodernism says that language and words are always open to various interpretations and that coming to a definitive conclusion about the meaning of teachings in an ancient text such as the Bible is not possible. This type of thinking has resulted in the undermining of the authority of the Bible. The basic tenets of accurate biblical interpretation are pushed aside, and the meaning of a text is left up to the individual. Failure to turn to the Scriptures to determine a path that should be taken or blatant disregard for clear teachings in the Scriptures are examples of denial of biblical authority in the local church.

How should a church respond to these postmodern influences? One way is to teach, model and equip families to instill a biblical worldview in the lives of their children. Parents, children and church members in general must foster a healthy respect for the authority of the Scriptures. The regular reading and application of God’s Word in everyday life will help in countering the postmodern denial of authority.

Postmodernism continues to have a strong influence on the family, individuals and churches. Leaders in local churches will make great strides in combating this negative influence by faithfully applying Paul’s exhortation to “Preach the Word.” Whether it is relativism, denying the knowable truths of the Bible, or denying the authority of the Scriptures, we must remember that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV). A commitment to faithfully preach this Word in our homes and our churches can minimize the negative influence of the postmodern culture in the lives of individuals as well as in the corporate life of the local church.

— Bobby Howard is assistant professor of Christian studies and student ministry at Charleston Southern University.