OceanSide church of Christ
 Previous |
Return to list of sermons |
Next  |
 |
POSTMODERN THOUGHT
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
The way a person
thinks influences his behavior (Prov. 4:23).
Keep thy
heart with all diligence: for out
of it are the issues of life.
B.
What is sobering is
that entire systems of thought can enter into and affect societies and
nations.
1.
Sometimes these
systems of thought are forced upon a society due to a hostile takeover by an
enemy.
2.
At other times, they
enter a society in a subtle way and take several years to permeate
it.
C.
Postmodern thought has
influenced our society in a slow, subtle way. Now it is blooming and bearing
fruit.
1.
What is known as the
“emergent church” is a product of postmodern thinking.
2.
Many of our brethren
who have gone into liberalism advocate positions consistent with postmodern
thinking.
3.
Many average
Christians has been influenced in very subtle ways without realizing they have
accepted tenets of postmodern thinking.
D.
In this lesson, we
want to look at some of the major components of postmodern thinking. We want to show how they conflict with
God’s Word in many ways.
I.
PLURALISM
A.
Pluralism seems to be
the cornerstone of postmodern thought.
B.
Definition: the mixture of many diverse, people,
things, elements, etc.
C.
Pluralism can be seen
in many ways in our society. In
many areas pluralism is good and does no harm.
1.
Our nation has always
boasted of being a “melting pot” of many ethnic groups.
2.
The auto industry has
branched into pluralism with hundreds of different makes and models of
automobiles.
3.
Fashion in our society
has become very pluralistic.
4.
The idea of “freedom
of religion” has encouraged a pluralism of religious
organizations.
D. In a
world filled with pluralism, Christianity has a difficult time. Why? Christianity is an exclusive
religion.
1.
Jesus is the only Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
Neither is
their salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.
2.
There is only one
truth, that is, one system of faith (Eph. 4:5; John 8:32; II John
9-11).
There is
one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
3.
There is only one
body, the church, in which the saved are found (Acts 2:47; Eph.
4:3).
Praising
God, and having favor with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved.
II.
RELATIVISM
A.
Definition: ethical truths depend solely upon the
individuals or groups that hold them
B.
In essence, truth is
whatever an individual believes to be the truth.
1.
You can have your
truth. I can have my truth. These two “truths” can contradict, but
relativism says that both of them are still true.
2.
A milder form of this
has been in the ranks of denominationalism for a long time. It was clothed with different
words: “You have your
interpretation, and I have my interpretation.”
C.
NOTE: This type of thinking involves no
absolutes.
D.
Relativism paves the way for individualism and
subjectivism.
1.
Each person becomes the “god” of his own life.
2.
Whatever a person feels to be true is true.
E.
Without a standard apart from the individual, there is no
way to reason.
Yet, God wants to reason with us (Isa. 1:18).
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord…
F.
There is a standard that exists. That standard is the
Word of God.
God’s Word is truth.
1.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is
truth.
2.
Acts 26:25
But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak
forth the words of truth and soberness.
3.
This standard does not have 2, 3, or 100 different
interpretations that are conflicting. There is one, and only one, correct
interpretation of God’s Word (See Luke 10:25-28).
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him,
saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him,
What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering
said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as
thyself. And he
said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
III.
TOLERANCE
A.
Definition: a sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or
practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.
B.
Its milder form has been practiced in denominationalism for
a long time. It
is called “unity-in-diversity.” It is the idea of agreeing to disagree.
C.
There is another element that has been added to the concept
of tolerance in postmodern thinking. The additional point is that it is wrong to
judge, challenge, belittle, or show an opposing belief to be wrong.
1.
Islam is not to be challenged.
2.
Homosexuality is not to be opposed.
3.
Socialism is said to be equal with capitalism.
D.
Did our Lord tolerate, accept, and never challenge? No! (See John
4:20-22)
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that
E.
Christianity is not supposed to be a tolerant religion.
1.
Jesus said that Christianity is to be like leaven that
leavens the whole lump (Matt. 13:33).
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is
like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till
the whole was leavened.
2.
Christianity is supposed to be like a militant army going
forth to conquer the hearts of men and women. It seeks to free them from the clutches of the
enemy.
a. We
are soldiers in the Lord’s army (II Tim. 2:3).
b. We
are to fight the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12).
c. Our
sword is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).
d. We
are to wield it throughout the whole world (Mark 16:15).
e. It
has the power to save lost souls (Rom. 1:16-17).
IV.
SECULARISM
A.
Our last point noted that postmodern thinking practices
tolerance. This
is true of almost everything except Christianity.
B.
Our society is seeking to rid itself of all things
religious.
1.
No
prayer, no Bible reading, no “in God we trust,” no “one nation under God,” no
crosses, no nativity scenes, no mention of the word “Christmas”
2.
President Obama’s quote: “And I’ve said before that one of the greatest
strengths of the United States is – although as I mentioned, we have a very
large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a
Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who
are bound by ideals and a set of values.”
C.
This is what is referred to as secularism. It is defined as
“indifference, rejection, or exclusion of religion and religious
consideration.”
D.
It
is very dangerous to remove God from a nation (Ps. 9:17).
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the
nations that forget God.
V.
PRAGMATISM
A.
Definition: truth is to be tested by the practical
consequences of belief
1.
If
it works, it is true.
2.
If
it does not work, it is not truth.
B.
Many have applied this thought to the area of church
growth.
1.
Let’s look for the things that work in bringing the masses
to the church.
If it works, it must be right.
2.
This thinking has let to the following:
a.
Minimal, if any, preaching of the Word of God (discussions, skits,
dramas, and stories)
b.
Contemporary worship services complete with instrumental music
c.
Fellowship with the denominations
d. The
expanded use of women in the work and worship of the church
e. A
focus upon “recreational” ministries
f.
Little, or no, emphasis on baptism, especially baptism for the remission
of sins.
g.
Little, or no, opposition to social drinking, dancing, homosexuality,
abortion, embryonic stem cell research, etc.
C.
Pragmaticism undermines the authority principle of
Christianity.
1.
We
do not need authority from God; we just need it to work.
2.
Colossians 3:17, however, is still in the Bible.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
CONCLUSION
A.
Postmodern thinking is very enticing.
1.
It
is accepting, peaceful, tolerant, and “effective.”
2.
You are free to be your own person with your own
thinking.
B.
But, man left to himself is a very dangerous thing.
1.
Man cannot direct his steps (Jer. 10:23).
2.
This has been tried in the past with disastrous results.
a. The
Jews in the days of the judges did what was right in their own eyes (Jud. 17:6;
21:25).
b. The
Gentile nations prior to the coming of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:18-31).
C.
Two passages from the wisest king who ever lived,
Solomon
1.
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine won understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health
to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
2.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep
his commandments:
for this is the whole duty of man.
POSTMODERN THOUGHT
Victor M. Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
The way a person thinks influences his behavior (Prov.
4:23).
B.
What is sobering is that entire systems of thought can enter
into and affect societies and nations (Forced or through subtle means over
time)
C.
Postmodern thought has influenced our society in a slow,
subtle way. Now
it is blooming and bearing fruit.
1.
What is known as the “emergent church” is a product of postmodern
thinking.
2.
Many of our brethren who have gone into liberalism advocate positions
consistent with postmodern thinking.
3.
Many average Christians has been influenced in very subtle ways.
D.
In this lesson, we want to look at some of the major components of
postmodern thinking.
We want to show how they conflict with God’s Word in many ways.
I.
PLURALISM
A.
Pluralism seems to be the cornerstone of postmodern thought.
B.
Definition:
the mixture of many diverse, people, things, elements, etc.
C.
Pluralism can be seen in many ways in our society. In many areas
pluralism is good and does no harm (“Melting pot,”
automobiles, fashion, and the idea of “freedom of
religion).
D.
In a world filled with pluralism, Christianity has a difficult time. Why? Christianity is an
exclusive religion:
one Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6); One truth (Eph. 4:5; John 8:32; II
John 9-11); and one body, the church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 4:3).
II.
RELATIVISM
A.
Definition: ethical truths depend solely upon the
individuals or groups that hold them
B.
In essence, truth is whatever an individual believes to be
the truth.
1.
You can have your truth. I can have my truth. These two “truths”
can contradict, and both still be true.
2.
A milder form of this has been in the ranks of denominationalism for a
long time. It
was clothed with different words: “You have your interpretation, and I have my
interpretation.”
C.
NOTE:
This type of thinking involves no absolutes.
D.
Relativism paves the way for individualism and subjectivism.
E.
Without a standard apart from the individual, there is no way to
reason. Yet,
God wants to reason with us (Isa. 1:18).
F.
There is a standard that exists. That standard is the Word of God. God’s Word is
truth.
1.
John 17:17; Acts 26:25
2.
This standard does not have 2, 3, or 100 different interpretations that
are conflicting.
There is one, and only one, correct interpretation of God’s Word (See
Luke 10:25-28).
III.
TOLERANCE
A.
Definition: a sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or
practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.
B.
Its has been practiced in denominationalism for a long
time. It is
called “unity-in-diversity,” the idea of agreeing to disagree.
C.
There is another element that has been added to the concept
of tolerance in postmodern thinking. The additional point is that it is wrong to
judge, challenge, belittle, or show an opposing belief to be wrong (Islam,
homosexuality, socialism).
D.
Did our Lord tolerate, accept, and never challenge? No! (See John
4:20-22)
E.
Christianity is not supposed to be a tolerant religion.
1.
Jesus said that Christianity is to be like leaven that leavens the whole
lump (Matt. 13:33).
2.
Christianity is supposed to be like a militant army going forth to
conquer the hearts of men and women. It seeks to free them from the clutches of
the enemy.
a.
We are soldiers in the Lord’s army (II Tim. 2:3).
b.
We are to fight the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12).
c.
Our sword is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).
d.
We are to wield it throughout the whole world (Mark 16:15).
e.
It has the power to save lost souls (Rom. 1:16-17).
IV.
SECULARISM
A.
Our last point noted that postmodern thinking practices
tolerance.
This is true of almost everything except Christianity.
B.
Our society is seeking to rid itself of all things
religious.
1.
No prayer, no Bible reading, no “in God we trust,” no “one
nation under God,” no crosses, no nativity scenes, no mention of the word
“Christmas”
2.
President Obama’s quote: “And I’ve said before that one of the
greatest strengths of the United States is – although as I mentioned, we have a
very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation
or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of
citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”
C.
This is “secularism.” It is defined as “indifference, rejection, or
exclusion of religion and religious consideration.”
D.
It is very dangerous to remove God from a nation (Ps. 9:17).
V.
PRAGMATISM
A.
Definition:
truth is to be tested by the practical consequences of belief
B.
Many have applied this thought to the area of church growth.
1.
Let’s look for the things that work in bringing the masses to the
church. If it
works, it must be right.
2.
This thinking has let to the following:
a.
Minimal, if any, preaching of the Word of God (discussions, skits,
dramas, and stories)
b.
Contemporary worship services complete with instrumental music
c.
Fellowship with the denominations
d.
The expanded use of women in the work and worship of the church
e.
A focus upon “recreational” ministries
f.
Little, or no, emphasis on baptism, esp. baptism for the remission of
sins.
g.
Little opposition to social drinking, dancing, homosexuality, abortion,
embryonic stem cell research, etc.
C.
Pragmaticism undermines the authority principle of Christianity.
1.
We do not need authority from God; we just need it to work.
2.
Colossians 3:17, however, is still in the Bible.
CONCLUSION
A.
Postmodern thinking is very enticing.
B.
But, man left to himself is a very dangerous thing.
1.
Man cannot direct his steps (Jer. 10:23).
2.
This has been tried in the past with disastrous results: Jews (Jud. 17:6;
21:25) and Gentiles (Rom. 1:18-31).
C.
Two passages from the wisest king who ever lived, Solomon (Prov. 3:5-8;
Eccl. 12:13).
POSTMODERN THOUGHT
Victor M. Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
The way a person ______________________ influences his
behavior (Prov. 4:23).
B.
What is sobering is that entire ____________ of thought can
enter into and affect societies and nations (Forced or through subtle means over
time)
C.
Postmodern thought has influenced our society in a slow,
subtle way.
Now it is blooming and bearing fruit.
1.
What is known as the “_______________ church” is a product
of postmodern thinking.
2.
Many of our brethren who have gone into _____________
advocate positions consistent with postmodern thinking.
3.
Many average Christians has been influenced in very subtle
ways.
D.
In this lesson, we want to look at some of the major components of
postmodern thinking.
We want to show how they conflict with God’s Word in many ways.
I.
PLURALISM
A.
Pluralism seems to be the ______________________ of postmodern
thought.
B.
Definition:
the ______________________ of many diverse, people, things, elements,
etc.
C.
Pluralism can be seen in many ways in our society. In many areas
pluralism is good and does no harm (“Melting pot,” automobiles, fashion, and the
idea of “freedom of religion).
D.
In a world filled with pluralism, Christianity has a difficult time. Why? Christianity is an
_________________ religion: one Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6); One truth
(Eph. 4:5; John 8:32; II John 9-11); and one body, the church (Acts 2:47; Eph.
4:3).
II.
RELATIVISM
A.
Definition: ethical truths depend solely upon the
individuals or groups that hold them
B.
In essence, truth is whatever an ____________________
believes to be the truth.
1.
You can have your truth. I can have my truth. These two “truths”
can ______________, and both still be true.
2.
A milder form of this has been in the ranks of denominationalism for a
long time. It
was clothed with different words: “You have our interpretation, and I have my
interpretation.”
C.
NOTE:
This type of thinking involves no _______________________.
D.
ativism paves the way for individualism and subjectivism.
E.
Without a standard apart from the individual, there is no way to
____________.
Yet, God wants to reason with us (Isa. 1:18).
F.
There is a standard that exists. That standard is the Word of God. God’s Word is
_______________.
1.
John 17:17; Acts 26:25
2.
This standard does not have 2, 3, or 100 different interpretations that
are conflicting.
There is __________, and only _________, correct interpretation of God’s
Word (See Luke 10:25-28).
III.
TOLERANCE
A.
Definition: a sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or
practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.
B.
It has been practiced in denominationalism for a long
time. It is
called “unity-in-___________,” the idea of agreeing to disagree.
C.
There is another element that has been added to the concept
of tolerance in postmodern thinking. The additional point is that it is wrong to
_____________, challenge, belittle, or show an opposing belief to be wrong
(Islam, homosexuality, socialism).
D.
Did our Lord tolerate, accept, and never challenge? No! (See John
4:20-22)
E.
Christianity is not supposed to be a tolerant religion.
1.
Jesus said that Christianity is to be like _______________ that leavens
the whole lump (Matt. 13:33).
2.
Christianity is supposed to be like a militant _____________ going forth
to conquer the hearts of men and women. It seeks to free them from the clutches of
the enemy.
a.
We are _______________ in the Lord’s army (II Tim. 2:3).
b.
We are to __________________ the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12).
c.
Our ___________________ is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).
d.
We are to wield it throughout the whole world (Mark 16:15).
e.
It has the power to save lost _______________ (Rom. 1:16-17).
IV.
SECULARISM
A.
Our last point noted that postmodern thinking practices tolerance. This is true of
almost everything except ________________.
B.
Our society is seeking to rid itself of all things religious.
1.
No prayer, no Bible reading, no “in God we trust,” no “one nation under
God,” no crosses, no nativity scenes, no mention of the word “Christmas”
2.
President Obama’s quote: “And I’ve said before that one of the
greatest strengths of the United States is – although as I mentioned, we have a
very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation
or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of
citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”
C.
This is “secularism.” It is defined as “__________________,
rejection, or exclusion of religion and religious consideration.”
D.
is very dangerous to remove ____________ from a nation (Ps. 9:17).
V.
PRAGMATISM
A.
Definition:
truth is to be tested by the practical _______________________ of
belief
B.
Many have applied this thought to the area of church growth.
1.
Let’s look for the things that work in bringing the masses to the
church. If it
works, it must be right.
2.
This thinking has let to the following:
a.
Minimal, if any, preaching of the Word of God (discussions, skits,
dramas, and stories)
b.
Contemporary worship services complete with instrumental music
c.
Fellowship with the denominations
d.
The expanded use of women in the work and worship of the church
e.
A focus upon “recreational” ministries
f.
Little, or no, emphasis on baptism, esp. baptism for the remission of
sins.
g.
Little opposition to social drinking, dancing, homosexuality, abortion,
embryonic stem cell research, etc.
C.
Pragmaticism undermines the ________________________ principle of
Christianity.
1.
We do not need authority from God; we just need it to work.
2.
Colossians 3:17, however, is still in the Bible.
CONCLUSION
A.
Postmodern thinking is very __________________.
B.
But, man left to himself is a very dangerous thing.
1.
Man cannot direct his steps (Jer. 10:23).
2.
This has been tried in the past with disastrous results: ________ (Jud.
17:6; 21:25) and Gentiles (Rom. 1:18-31).
C. Two passages from the wisest king who ever lived, Solomon (Prov. 3:5-8; Eccl. 12:13).
