The Next Crusade will not be against one
particular faith group, but against the ideology of Postmodernism. In Postmodernity, it is impossible for
a person to be unbiased. Each
person comes to the table with emotions, baggage from their past, cultural and
gender differences. In a
postmodern society truth is created.
It is up to each person to develop “their” truth, which at best is a
relative view of what they have been taught. Post Modernity believes that truth and knowledge have no
boundaries. It is up to each individual to set their own path. We can not really say that anything is
“good” if there is no absolute value for good. Each person makes the decision for themselves what “good”
is. Postmodernity believes that we
are no longer capable of solving the problems of mankind. We can only address the symptoms of his
suffering. Everyone is just trying
to exist and get through the day.
People do not believe that we are better off today that we were
yesterday. There really is no
reason to strive for a better tomorrow.
In Postmodernism, truth is not bound by the rational. It involves many aspects of the
individual. One cannot be expected
to be rational when emotions, feelings, and thought are involved. All of these aspects help to shape the
truth that is created. Truth takes
on the characteristic of the group that is trying to define it. Each member contributes a piece to the
puzzle. In the postmodern mind,
truth is changing. It is a living
organism that changes as the moods and whims of the society flux in and
out. There is no external
reference point for truth. This is
extremely important when it comes to reaching the Muslim and Hindu. Each faith group genuinely believes
that they are on the right road.
The world views Christians as closed minded and not tolerant. We must proclaim Christ as the only
way. This is why I believe the next
crusade will be against an ideology versus a particular faith group.
I now can see that as a Student Minister, I must bridge the gap between
Biblical culture and today’s Postmodern culture. Jesus was great at this. He used common everyday language and situations to
communicate God’s love to the people he came into contact with. His message was presented differently
depending on the individual he was speaking with. I must learn how to construct Local Theologies. I need to figure out how to best
communicate the love of Christ to our culture. I am now going to try to study the youth culture across the
country and in our local setting in order to develop a strategy of how to win
students to Christ. Paul says, “He
became all things to all men in order that he may win some. Paul knew the importance of penetrating
the culture. He knew about Greek
mythology. In Acts, he speaks to
the Roman citizens about their gods and points them to “The Unknown God”. He knew how to speak the language of
the day and how to express the gospel in a way that was meaningful to the
culture in which he found himself.
Cross-Cultural Outreach is a good term to use because for the first time
in the history of America we not only have two generations in one household but
two cultures. If we are to take
the message of the cross to the Postmodern culture, we must have our finger on the pulse of our students and their
families. Then and only then, will we make the greatest impact.
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