In Ross Rohde’s publication, Practical Considerations for Postmodern Sensitive Churches--A follow up to "The Gospel and Postmodernism", he lists what he believes are the behavioral characteristics of the Postmodern person.
- I’m looking for a truth that works for me.
- I can only try to see life from my own perspective; reality is too complex to understand it all.
- I’m interested in the values of my group and my community.
- I believe in being tolerant.
- I believe in letting others live like they want to.
- I don’t like it when people argue about how their group or beliefs are better.
- I want practical answers to life. I’m not drawn to idealistic schemes.
- I am suspicious of schemes that try to explain everything or give simplistic answers to complex questions.
- When people talk to me about these schemes I think of it as "noise" to be ignored.
- I like to have a group of close friends with which I share common values.
- I don’t like institutional religion.
- I do have a vague desire for non-institutional spirituality. But I don’t know how to find it.
A true Christian has a very different worldview. His presuppositions do not fall to culture but seek to please God.
- I can read the Scriptures and understand God’s will for my life (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 3:1-5; 5:17). I do not have to know everything to know something.
- I’m interested in the morals and teachings of Jesus Christ, which will be a blessing to me and will be the standard by which I am judged (Matthew 7:24-27;
- I am interested in loving and respecting all men, but loving others means teaching them God’s truth and warning them of moral and doctrinal errors (Gal. 1:6-9; 4:16; Eph. 4:15;
- I believe in evangelism and in teaching men to observe all things that the Lord teaches (Matt. 28:18-20).
- I don’t like it when people allow error to corrupt and divide churches (
- I am suspicious of schemes that ignore God (Rom. 1:18-32).
- When people dismiss God and His will from their lives, their philosophies become empty and futile; and their hearts become hard (Ecclesiastes; Eph. 4:17-24).
- I feel so blessed to be part of a church family that shares a common faith, hope, and love.
- I love being part of the family of God, learning God’s will, hearing God’s voice in Scripture, and praising God from the heart.
- I am thankful that God has not left us without a witness but has given us His Son Jesus so that we may know Him (John 1:1-3, 14-18; 14:6-10; Heb. 1:1-3).
Phil
1 comment:
Great thoughts. Have you seen the video entitled, "MeChurch" video by Igniter Media Group? It is an excellent short video describing the current trends in religion. You can watch the video at their website or on YouTube.
We are current discussing the "Changes in Religion" in one of our Sunday morning Bible classes. I used the video there to make a point, and everyone got the point.
Once again... good thoughts.
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