Let others see our love
[Spiritual Warfare of Generation M] Looking at the postmodern world from the perspective of culture and worldview
Compiled by Wu Xinhui
When I was in my twenties, a wise friend told me, “Everything happens for a reason.”
Whenever we talk about personal brokenness or pain, this sentence always comes up - why did you do what you did in the past? ! My friend is right, but many times, except for my own strong blood and sinful nature, I cannot make up for my past wrong choices. Discussions like this challenge my thinking and help me uncover hidden causes.
Everything happened for a reason
I think Christians face the world in the same way. When we see crazy and irrational situations, we often don’t think about the possibility that there may be an inside story behind it—“Everything happens for a reason.” Instead, we easily conclude that these people are “lost” or “sinners.”
The principle of "everything happens for a reason" not only applies to individuals, but can also be seen in culture, even in some puzzling social events. From a Christian perspective, today’s culture is incredible! As I write this, the news is reporting that Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner wants to transition and live a female life; the city where I live is discussing the need for gender-neutral toilets and Benefits; The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be paving the way for legalizing same-sex marriage; White House officials feel reluctant and uneasy about a showdown with radical Islamists.
I would say that thinking is formed in culture, even if that culture is not based on truth. Christians should use wisdom to understand the origin and formation of culture. To be honest, when you understand all kinds of plausible lies, you may no longer be surprised by the crazy things happening in the world!
▲Transgender Olympian Bruce Jenner. (Image source: website)
Need a silver bullet of persuasion
Following a wave of classic trends from Generation M, I learned a lesson from Facebook!
In the spring of 2012, North Carolina made a very important voting resolution. Facebook’s attention to this resolution caused a sensation. Although it was also the time for the presidential election, the people of North Carolina paid more attention to this resolution than who elected the president. It is also important to note that people are entangled in the debate on legal marriage regulations.
Whenever I go on Facebook, I can’t escape the various posts opposing or supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage. After a while, I simply ignored these arguments, but one friend’s post in particular caught my attention. This friend has often spoken out for gay rights, and this resolution brought his views to the forefront. Although his choice of words is quite radical, and although I do not agree with his statement, I chew on his posts over and over again because he is a gifted writer and thinker.
I thought maybe he was tired of posting these simple articles. Two weeks before the vote, he published a long article saying that homosexual behavior is morally permissible and same-sex marriage should be blessed. He cited twenty key points and defended each argument fiercely, clearly and logically. At the end of the article, he made a battle post - "There are no loopholes in my views, otherwise you can challenge me!" I read it carefully over and over again and was deeply shocked. I knew clearly that his argument ran counter to the Bible, but when I analyzed it carefully, I realized I found that his argument was really impeccable!
This deeply disturbs me! I knew he was wrong, but I couldn't come up with a strong counterattack. Where was my silver bullet that was so convincing?
▲In the publicity battle for North Carolina’s legal marriage amendment bill, the truth seems to be fierce? Does the lie seem reasonable? (Image source: website)
worldview issues
I thought carefully about this, was very confused, and prayed about the points raised by my friends. Finally, I figured it out! He was all right, but also all wrong! I understand that in the world's rational thinking, his arguments are invulnerable, and very few traditional-minded Christians can argue against him. However, I discovered a silver bullet that was extremely convincing. But before I challenge his conclusions, I must first challenge his presupposed position. That is, before I can discuss morality, I must first discuss worldview.
Worldview, simply put, is to examine and understand the status and formation of today's society from the perspectives of different cultures, beliefs, and philosophies, and these views constitute our worldview. While many views of the world may share certain elements, not all views can simply explain all facts at the same time.
Therefore, if we want to be "wisdom as snakes and gentle as doves," we must deeply understand the connection between culture and behavior. Although I am not an expert in philosophy, history or culture, I will spend some space examining the influence of Western culture on today's discourse.
▲Darwin’s theory of evolution caused ripples of thought in many quarters. (Image source: website)
Darwin's Seed
From 1500 to 1800 AD, Western culture gradually moved away from the mainstream Christian worldview. During this period, people were so proud of the so-called "truth" they had discovered that they vigorously opposed the teachings of the Bible. There are many studies or theories in the natural sciences, and many people believe in materialism. However, until Darwin published "The Origin of Species" in 1859, they had no other stronger theory or scientific basis for the origin of the universe.
Long story short, Darwin's theory of evolution complemented the developing culture of the time and pushed atheism into mainstream thought. The theory of evolution has been generally accepted by the academic community in just one or two decades, and has become a mainstream scientific theory for exploring the origins of human beings.
In the so-called "postmodern culture" of the mid-20th century, people's thinking shifted from reasoning to experimental proof. It became a trend. People accepted multiculturalism and freedom with an accommodating attitude, and used life experience to define personal truth. In recent years, this kind of thinking has increasingly influenced Western culture, and it has also affected young people who grew up in postmodern culture.
If you want to make people understand, you must first understand their culture. This is the fact. Although the doctrines, atheism or materialism of "postmodern culture" have deviated from the basic ideas of the "Modern Era", I believe that Darwin's theory of evolution still invisibly affects the thoughts of postmodern young people, whether they accept it or not. admit. Postmodern culture is like the ripples caused by a stone thrown across the water. Unknowingly, the entire culture is moving in the direction of the stone thrown by Darwin.
Understand ripples
From the ripples, we can understand that pool of spring water! Darwin's argument stated that the universe was formed by chance. If this hypothesis is true, if our existence is due to chance, then so-called "truth" is a product of culture. If there is a world view that believes that life is accidental and that all things or experiences are meaningless in the end, then doing whatever you want is not outrageous.
This also involves the postmodernist definition of religion. They connect faith with science and use science to prove that evolution is a "fact", so faith can "believe it or not"!
Today, many things prove that we are smarter than our ancestors. If the theory of evolution is a scientific truth, then it must be meaningful to tolerate and celebrate different cultural and religious concepts. Although postmodernists are not attached to any religion, people generally believe that accepting multiculturalism and various religions can create beauty in an empty world.
This is what I understand as "postmodern ideological evolution". This kind of philosophical trend has become the cultural pluralism of today's West, making "alternative lifestyle" an issue in the court and the stone that sets off ripples. .
▲You and I, who are supposed to be light and salt, need to humbly ask ourselves, has Christ been misunderstood because of you and me? (Image source: website)
light and salt
Christians today must play an appropriate role in this postmodern world.
When we preach about morality, good living standards, or building a relationship with Jesus in a high-profile manner (although these are all truths and beneficial to people), we hope that post-modern young people will change, but the methods used are really unacceptable The gospel also makes people angry. If this continues, we will really lose this generation of young people!
Postmodernists believe that morality and religion are products of culture and are, at best, just concepts. In the culture of "believe it or not", we do not think about the cultural thinking of "what is true for me may not be true for you". We always emphasize that the morality we advocate is right and the truth we believe in is the only one. It was unbearable. Perhaps asking "Is the truth behind the reason true?" can provide some more original answers.
Modern young people are living in a special era - a generation of post-modernity and contempt for religion. They are interested in authenticity, which is great news! Although they don’t like going to church (this may be a vague accusation made by young people against the church), they like the truth, hate pretense and doctrines that are all talk without practice, and don’t like rigorously organized religious groups, but they hope to be in a real and visible place. Light. We need to seize the opportunity and give young people what they want. So, you and I need to ask ourselves, is Christ being misunderstood because you and I don’t have good witnesses? Ask questions that honor God and benefit people to explore your faith, and someone will accept your faith. In my experience talking to people about Jesus, I don’t need to have an answer to every question, and I don’t need to convince people of a Christian worldview—it’s okay to say “I don’t know.”
Jesus is not a set of ideas, He is a Person whom we can know, love and follow, and therefore we are privileged to introduce Him to the world. Often, we argue in our search for truth and lose our compassion and fail to appreciate the reality of walking in the light. Both inside and outside the church emphasize the Christian's victorious morality, but they forget to teach people the real Christ or let people see what He has done in us.
You and I, who are supposed to be light and salt, need to figure out how to communicate the gospel to people amid cultural challenges. Of course, we don’t need to carefully understand the history of various philosophies, compare the differences between evolution and creationism, or discuss the controversies of political speech. What we need most is to focus on one thing-telling our own stories, returning to simplicity, and returning to nature. The original gospel prioritized "loving others according to the will of Jesus". The worldview that the world needs is not ideas, but the true love of Jesus Christ. We sincerely hope that every child of God can re-grasp and understand the assurance brought by this King of kings. The culture of heaven is more subduing than the culture of the world. We desire to imitate Jesus’ style so that we can grow in His love. . When the Lord Jesus became flesh and came to the world, he did not use His high standards to deal with us, but gave us the love that comes from the Father - this is the true worldview.
Author Profile Sloan, a millennial. The English editor of "The Kingdom of God" magazine, and the owner of a small paint company, settled in Davison, North Carolina. I like music and rock climbing. I work hard to learn how to be a child after God's heart. I also work hard to put my English major degree into practice and apply what I have learned.