Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

R. Josiah Magnuson

“That’s your truth. I have mine.” This is the fundamental assertion of a post-modernist. Postmodernism claims there is no absolute truth – no reality basic to all people. Rather, it holds that every person creates their own reality from their own experiences and perceptions.

A post-modernist may accept that Christ is the Savior for some people, but will reject the need for Christ as the only Savior for all humanity. Is there a way to defeat this philosophy?

First, God’s Word is the starting point to defeat post-modernism. Christ told us, “If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) God’s worldview is the basis for knowledge. Unless we start with His perspective, we cannot understand existence, or even know existence is real. The Bible states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The Bible also indicates in numerous places that God cannot lie or contradict Himself. Thus, reality (as God’s creation) is valid and concretely definable. However, if we start with any other premise, we become irrational since we cannot trust our own minds. The big question for post-modernism is, “How do you know?”

Second, logic defeats post-modernism. A postmodernist asserts, “There is no absolute truth.” This statement is actually an absolute truth in itself. Thus, if that statement is true, then it is false. Something cannot be both true and false. In response, a post-modernist may assert that he does not agree; he does not believe in the law of noncontradiction. Your reply would be, “Thus you do believe in the law of non-contradiction?” to which he would reply, “No, I just told you I didn’t.” By making such a statement, he is demonstrating that he in fact does believe in the law of noncontradiction, because he believes in the existence of falsehood.

Third, love must be the foundation of our effort. It is the Holy Spirit who must make alive the hearts of those we speak to. The Spirit works through love in the actions and attitudes of believers. Our materialistic culture has bred pride, bitterness, and covetousness, which hinders people from accepting absolutes. It follows that it must be our purpose to reach out humbly, forgivingly, and sacrificially for others. We must “take up our cross daily” to serve Christ in serving those around us.

It is important to recognize that the post-modernist will not be won by logic, although logic is a help along the way.  It may also be that the Bible solely as a book of principles will not win the post-modernist. The post-modernist will be drawn to Christ through the love of God’s people, and the work of the Spirit, as he experiences the adventure of God’s living words!

Post-modernism ends in irrationality since under this way of thinking, the world might simply be our imagination. Presenting the wonderful stories of Scripture is the basis to breaking irrationality (John 20:31), because the hearing of Scripture brings faith (Romans 10:17). Further, as faithful brothers and sisters, our lives corroborate the truth of God’s family (John 13:55).

What would your life tell a post-modernist? Does your life conform to the truth of Scripture? Are you a disciple of the Person of Truth, Jesus Christ, or are you wandering on paths of peril?