Our perception is the filter through which we view, categorize, and respond to life. Some have described it as a worldview. Whatever the term, the principle is tantamount in understanding life. An artist might perceive life as something beautiful to be experienced and captured. An academic may perceive life as something to be understood, categorized, and explained. While an orphaned boy in urban Peru may perceive life as something to be survived. Going back to this idea of, "As a man thinks, so he is" at first glance one might think of this quote as originating from an exhistential, absurdist, or postmodern philosopher like Soren Kierkegaard or Friedrich Nietzsche. However, this particular phrase was actually inspired by the Bible. Proverbs 23:7 states, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..."
Perhaps the most common manifestation of this idea is found in the intricate and convoluted discussion of modernism and postmodernism. We have probably all heard these terms thrown around without ever really understanding their meanings or their implications. In an effort to explain postmodernity, academics go into intricate definitions, philosophical reasoning, architecture, science, etc...and in doing so probably raise more questions than they answer. Unlike what many people may claim postmodernism is not a new phenomenon, perhaps the most powerful rendition of postmodern thought may be found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Nontheless, I will attempt to summarize many of the ideas and implications that postmodern thought has created for us today.
In order to accurately describe postmodernism we must first define it's predecessor, modernism. Modernism (in a nutshell) epitomizes the ideas of cohesion, progress, and absolutes. Adherents of modern thought typically have a strong sense of right and wrong. There is a right and a wrong way to do or think about anything. Modernists also have a strong sense of loyalty; loyalty to family, country, business, sports team, etc...Lastly modernist proponents often look at life as a thing to be conquered: through science, technology and the like.
Postmodernism is essentially a reaction or opposition to the ideas espoused in modernism. Many postmodernists (although they may not articulate it so) are disillusioned with the perceived failure of modern thought. Allow me to explain; modernists who are the predominant leaders and decision makers in most areas today have made decisions that naturally reflect modernist thought. In the eyes of postmodernists such decisions have led to (in America) a struggling economy, elitism, and materialism to name several. This has fueled the shift to postmodern thought in the younger generation(s) and the ensuing generational gap.
The impact of this reaction can be seen practically in a myriad of ways, a few of which I will attempt to explain. Rather than putting an emphasis on saving money, "bettering" oneself, character growth, and developing a keen intellect today's generation prizes community, (as seen through the exponential growth of social media) experiences, communication, and enjoying life.
On the basest level postmodernists are disillusioned in the ideals of progress, frugality, intellectualism, moral absolutism, etc..set forth by modernism. Thus postmodernists, rather than attempting to conquer, understand, and organize life choose to embrace it for whatever its worth and wherever it leads them. Additionally, because postmodernists are so community and experientially focused they typically find the 'right vs. wrong mentality' of modern thinkers judgmental, off-putting, and indefensible. Instead postmodernists have concluded that unlike their parents' generation there is no moral absolute but everyone must find his or her own answers as he or she journeys through life.
As a Bible believing Christian this brings us to the difficult question of how do you communicate the absolute truth claims set forth in the Bible to a generation who rejects (or at the least is skeptical of) the notion of moral absolutes? I believe that I have found a creative solution in bridging the gap in communication between these two very different types of thinkers.
By way of example, if a modernist were to sit down with a true postmodernist (perhaps in an evangelistic setting) and start sharing the importance of Biblical truth claims, the nature of sin, and everyone's need for a Savior the modernist would most likely be almost instantaneously rejected (although the postmodernist may continue to politely listen they will have already rejected the moral absolutes being shared). Now let's tweak the scenario a bit. The modernist in the example still believes in the absolute truth of the Bible, sin and the need for a Savior, and the postmodernist still rejects all or most truth claims. But when the modernist sits down with the postmodernist the modernist begins by sharing about his journey through life, where he was before he became a Christian and the change that had taken place in his life after having accepted Christ as his Savior.
A key variable has changed in these two scenarios. Rather than foisting his beliefs upon the postmodernist, the modernist by sharing his story has altered the entire dynamic of the interaction. The modernist has first begun by sharing a piece of his life experience, he shares how his belief in moral absolutes has created a positive impact in his life and then he goes on to offer the postmodernist a chance to experience such a change himself.
The modernist has conveyed the important message of moral absolutes in a way that is meaningful and palatable to the postmodernist. This model of communication I believe can be extremely useful in all such interactions with postmodern thinkers. The idea of using oneself or another as an example and talking about the influence said idea has had in one's life tears down walls, skepticism, and cynicism and creates a sense of community and connection (which is vital to a postmodernist) and paves the way for more open dialogue and receptivity on the part of the postmodernist.
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