How Christians Should Respond to Postmodernism

In order to construct a responsible criticism of radical postmodernism, we must be careful not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater". Like most views that attack orthodoxy, radical postmodernism does bring a few positive things to the table. Erickson argues that postmodernism is correct in its condemnation of the lone scholar formulating truth in an independent fashion (174). I agree due to the fact that theology needs to be formulated based on as much knowledge as possible. Unfortunately, much of the theology that is formulated by most evangelicals is not founded based on a thorough examination of the Scriptures, historical theology, philosophy, or in response to being sharpened by other people. If we're not careful, we'll all be guilty of thinking "God only speaks to me." How many Christian book titles contain the word "key", "secret", "how to", etc., as if the author has some insight that no one else possesses? We should thoroughly examine truth before we become dogmatic.

For example, on Sunday nights I've been taking various topics, and examining them based on the Scriptures. My church has requested several topics be addressed. One topic that was requested was what the Scripture taught about piercings and tattoos. So, I presented the various Scriptures often used against them, examined them in context, and then told my people that they were free in Christ to submit to the Scriptures and their consciences, examining their motives, but free to receive either. One of our elderly men, regardless what texts we examined, was adamant about not getting tattoos regardless the reason. He is staunchly against it, because he is staunchly against it, not because he has objectively examined the Scriptures, church history, etc. There is no convincing him otherwise; and there were several others who agreed with him. We had good fellowship though as we politely discussed this issue. If we're not careful though, we will be dogmatic about things God does not care about, simply because we have not thoroughly examined the subject.

Though there are positive aspects of postmodernism, there are many negative aspects. Postmodernism argues that there is no absolute truth. The problem is that this is an absolute statement. By making this statement, they actually disprove their statement. Without absolute truth, they could not make this absolute statement.

Furthermore, Erickson argues for encouraging postmodernists to step into our shoes to see our perspective, and for us to step into their shoes to see their perspective (174). Though I agree with Erickson in theory, it is impossible for us to leave God's world. One cannot truly step into the shoes of a postmodernist, for a true postmodernist does not exist in God's world. In order for a postmodernist to even make his argument, he must borrow from Christian Theism. He stands on absolute truth, such as the laws of logic that flow from God's nature, assuming that his words make sense as they are communicated. He also assumes that these laws of logic press down upon other individuals as they discern "truth" as well. I agree with the postmodernist, but my worldview makes sense of this, while postmodernism is illogical, and cannot fit upon the foundation it uses to make its argument.

Finally, Erickson encourages us to use narrative when engaging postmodernists (174). Postmodernists evidently enjoy using narratives or metaphors when discussing truth. Though Erickson doesn't say, one must assume that they enjoy this because absolute statements are better hidden in metaphors, narrative, poetry, etc. Furthermore, narratives are often open to interpretation more so than direct statements. The only problem I see with using this method to engage postmodernists is their relative interpretation of the truth "hidden" in our narratives. If I use the cross as a metaphor, they may not understand what I am saying. I would have to qualify my metaphor, and thus, this would defeat the purpose of using a metaphor to begin with.

I think the best way to engage postmodernists is to get them to realize they are in God's world. If we can simply get them to realize that postmodernism cannot hold up its own presupposed foundation, then we can also show them the objective realities of the incarnation, physical death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Once they admit that there is absolute truth, then they are more open to understand the objective truth presented by God in His Word.

Source:

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1998.