How Postmodernism

Effects Your Life

2005 G. Lee Griffith,

Ph. D.

All Biblical Quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

2

Increased Uncertainty

• Increased awareness of options creates uncertainty– World economies– Internet access– Increased travel

• Increased options both good and bad– Grocery store– Marketplace of ideas

3

Decreased Confidence

• Greater awareness of other religions can decrease our confidence in the “rightness” of our faith

• Diminished cultural consensus further undermines confidence in the claims of Christianity

• Negative publicity of sins of Christian leaders

• Lowered confidence undermines our willingness to share our faith with others.

4

Decreased Significance

• Religion is not nearly as important in our culture as say sports when judged by amount of conversation or media coverage

• Important issues of the past are treated nonchalantly today.– Prior sexual partners– Modesty

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5

Rampant Commercialization

• People expect and accept advertising everywhere– Gas Pumps– PA systems– Cell phones– Schools– Christian Activities

• No longer suspicion of financial motives it is the expectation

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6

Decreased Trust

• Suspicion everywhere– Motives of Clergy– Any claim to truth– Goodness is often seen as badness because

bad motives are not openly acknowledged

• Pervades relationships– Spouses are expected to be unfaithful– Employers are expect to exploit– Students are expected to cheat

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7

Increased Disorientation

• The more choices, ideas, points of view, motives and accusations

• People become overwhelmed.• They give up trying to make sense of the world

and retreat into their own private world– Students do not worry much about world events– Students are confused about the social rules for how

to order their lives• Dating• Affection• Family responsibilities

8

Decreased Satisfaction with Reality

• Because reality is so confusing there is an increasing escape into alternate realities– Cybering– IPods– Movies– CMT– Extreme makeover– Reality TV

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9

Trivialization of Experience

• How you look vs. who you are

• Hang out vs. date

• In a relationship vs. marriage

• Sex vs. intimacy

• Tricks vs. trade

• Have pleasure vs. avoid pain

• Anonymity vs. self disclosure

10

What Can You Do About These Things?

• Make a firm commitment to God and the Bible

• Become deeply integrated into a community of believers

• Live the life as consistently as possible given your background and your world.

• Trust in God for grace and for your doubts

• Expend the effort to be a real friend