The post-modern world is shaped by pluralism, democracy, religious freedom, consumerism, mobility, and increasing access to news and entertainment. Residents of this post-modern world are able to see that there are many beliefs, multiple realities, and an exhilarating but daunting profusion of world views - a society that has lost its faith in absolute truth and in which people have to choose what to believe. (O'Hare and Anderson 1991).

Someone said: "We're like fish who don't know they're in a fishbowl. Then, our culture becomes a racial amnesia ... an illusory history ... a collective unconscious." The Post-modern era is best described by Charles Dicken as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Post-modernism has become not only a buzzword but also a concern for those of us reaching children today. It is difficult to define what post-modernism is. The most important question for any Christian to face is how to reach his own generation. We understand that the only really important question is the eternal question and understanding our culture has always been a key to reaching the culture. It would be abnormal if Christians did not want to reach the present generation in any way they could.

Catez Stevens in the article "The Post Modern Explained" wrote that as Christians, we can help complete the picture postmodernism is still trying to guess at. From the time of the early church, Christianity has been a way of life which represents culturally diverse followers. Yet the absolute truths of the Bible remain the same even when addressed to people of different beliefs and backgrounds. The apostle Paul, whose letters to the first churches was aware of the different cultures of his time. In his letter to the Romans, we find that he addressed Roman concepts of justice and sanctity, giving them a completely new definition and meaning in a Christian light. In his letter to the church at Ephesus, he understands their cultural emphasis on mystery, and reveals the truth of the greatest mystery of all. Yet while the concepts employed in his letters differ, the truths do not - both are centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and both set forth Jesus' forgiveness of sins, a believer's new life, and the preeminence of God in the Christian life and in the universe. The mystery is revealed in a logical way, so that the issue is not one of culturally acceptable subjective interpretation, but of faith in Jesus Christ Himself. As Paul says, the message of the cross is foolish to some and to others something they stumble over - although conveyed in culturally understandable terms, the message is not subservient to the culture. One of Paul's well known statements is, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some".

Biblical versus Post-modern Thinking

Here's a chart that lists the main postmodern obstacles to victorious faith. It shows the new meanings given to Biblical terms, and it lists Scriptures that clarify the confusion caused by post-modern thinking. Knowing these truths will strengthen your child's conscience and help anchor his or her mind in truth.

Rev Tan Cheng Huat
Regional Director
CEF AP Family News
Jul-Sep 2005