The world is not what it used to be. With the profound impact of technology, especially the worldwide web, we now have access to people and to information that was once unavailable. It is truly the case that we are a part of a community that spans the world. As a result, there is an increased need to counter misunderstanding and somehow learn how to co-exist, that is, to get-along-with one another.
Sometimes, however, the attempt to respect all opinions has led to a type of relativism, which the Christian church has rightly resisted. Not only is it impossible to live with outright skepticism, but the very idea that truth cannot be determined is a self-contradiction. To say with certainty that one cannot be certain is double-talk. At any rate, extreme versions of postmodern skepticism do not bode well with a Christian worldview.
This being said, some have gone too far in their efforts to resist postmodern influences and, as a result, have neglected certain beneficial postmodern features. Indeed, I would argue that today’s cultural influences ought to coax us back to the Bible, where we find truths that have too long been hidden or treated lightly. One of these truths is humility.
While the Bible is teeming with exhortations to avoid pride, many of us have ignored these biblical injunctions. Though we talk a good game, too often we fail to apply humility when it comes to our theological, evangelistic, and ecclesiastical views.
But postmodernism at its best is consistent with Scripture’s own portrayal, which encourages us to espouse, embrace, and embody a view of knowledge, life, and ourselves that is a bit more modest than that often found among certain overly zealous believers. With these things in mind, here are a number of ways in which this might work its way out in our lives and ministries. Each of these deserves further elaboration, but for now I simply list a number of ideas.
1. We can understand truth but never perfectly.
2. We can know God truly and sufficiently but not exhaustively.
3. Our evangelism ought to be confident but never arrogant.
4. Our views of those outside of the faith should (when appropriate) be rightly critical but not overly judgmental.
5. Controversy can often be settled but not always.
Lest I be misunderstood, it is very, very important to understand that none of this is intended to be an excuse for exegetical laziness or theological sloth. Neither does it is any way eliminate the appropriate place for dogmatism about many things. Indeed, I think it can be argued that those who most consistently exude humility are the very ones whose dogmatic claims are most easily received. That is, when a humble person speaks with passion, that person must, given his/he general demeanor, have good reason for being so forthright. Thus, true humility paves the way for appropriate measure of boldness and straightforwardness .
An acknowledgment of partial knowledge, an awareness of our less-than perfect perception, and a realization of God’s transcendent greatness ought to lead us in a much more biblical direction. Coming to grips with our limitations leads to humility. And humility, of course, is the proper stance of people toward God. What’s more, an awareness of the incompleteness of current understanding is not a cause for a “wimpy” or “wishy washy” theology but rather is an incentive to increased study and research. Those who know that they haven’t "arrived" are more apt to openly and honestly pursue the truth vigorously. Along the way, and in keeping with Scriptural directives, they are more apt to encounter the One who is truth incarnate. He himself says it this way: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
Sometimes, however, the attempt to respect all opinions has led to a type of relativism, which the Christian church has rightly resisted. Not only is it impossible to live with outright skepticism, but the very idea that truth cannot be determined is a self-contradiction. To say with certainty that one cannot be certain is double-talk. At any rate, extreme versions of postmodern skepticism do not bode well with a Christian worldview.
This being said, some have gone too far in their efforts to resist postmodern influences and, as a result, have neglected certain beneficial postmodern features. Indeed, I would argue that today’s cultural influences ought to coax us back to the Bible, where we find truths that have too long been hidden or treated lightly. One of these truths is humility.
While the Bible is teeming with exhortations to avoid pride, many of us have ignored these biblical injunctions. Though we talk a good game, too often we fail to apply humility when it comes to our theological, evangelistic, and ecclesiastical views.
But postmodernism at its best is consistent with Scripture’s own portrayal, which encourages us to espouse, embrace, and embody a view of knowledge, life, and ourselves that is a bit more modest than that often found among certain overly zealous believers. With these things in mind, here are a number of ways in which this might work its way out in our lives and ministries. Each of these deserves further elaboration, but for now I simply list a number of ideas.
1. We can understand truth but never perfectly.
2. We can know God truly and sufficiently but not exhaustively.
3. Our evangelism ought to be confident but never arrogant.
4. Our views of those outside of the faith should (when appropriate) be rightly critical but not overly judgmental.
5. Controversy can often be settled but not always.
Lest I be misunderstood, it is very, very important to understand that none of this is intended to be an excuse for exegetical laziness or theological sloth. Neither does it is any way eliminate the appropriate place for dogmatism about many things. Indeed, I think it can be argued that those who most consistently exude humility are the very ones whose dogmatic claims are most easily received. That is, when a humble person speaks with passion, that person must, given his/he general demeanor, have good reason for being so forthright. Thus, true humility paves the way for appropriate measure of boldness and straightforwardness .
An acknowledgment of partial knowledge, an awareness of our less-than perfect perception, and a realization of God’s transcendent greatness ought to lead us in a much more biblical direction. Coming to grips with our limitations leads to humility. And humility, of course, is the proper stance of people toward God. What’s more, an awareness of the incompleteness of current understanding is not a cause for a “wimpy” or “wishy washy” theology but rather is an incentive to increased study and research. Those who know that they haven’t "arrived" are more apt to openly and honestly pursue the truth vigorously. Along the way, and in keeping with Scriptural directives, they are more apt to encounter the One who is truth incarnate. He himself says it this way: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
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