Postmodernism: Avoiding Conflict

Avoidance

The popular culture of the world is an ever changing realm which sometimes catches us by surprise. In a grander way, the world of the current younger generations and the way that these people look at the world has changed from even one or two generations ago. There is a term used to describe this arising new outlook known as “Postmodernism”. To examine this outlook, we will look at different aspects of it. We will next examine the Avoidance of Conflict.

A Consequence of Relative Truth

As noted earlier, a common aspect of the Postmodern world outlook is one of relative truth, choosing to focus upon the personal perspective or a “subjective” approach to truth rather than an “objective” one such as from an absolute authority like God. As an outgrowth of this, it has become more common as a culturally and socially to find people who choose to avoid any conflict of truth.

The reason for this is both practical and necessary to maintain such a worldview. Conflict arises when opposing worldviews or even minor facets of a particular view come into contact with each other. In a classic sense, this is when those whose views are in conflict would debate or engage one another for the purpose of changing someone else’s mind. However, the Postmodern sees no reason to change another’s mind as they have the same right to believe from their own perspective as you do from yours.

The Trouble With Absolutes

The trouble with this is when the concept of absolutes enters a conversation. To, for example, declare that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) would come into conflict with those of different religious or non-religious backgrounds. The question of truth or who is “right” is not at issue as much as one’s “right” to claim such “rightness” for their perspective alone. The Postmodern is not upset by your choice to believe such a thing as long as it does not come in conflict with anyone else’s beliefs.

Of course, this does not discount the reality of absolute truth, or the reality of salvation only being found in Christ. The reason this important to understand, however, is to know how to approach such a worldview, as it has become more and more prevalent. The “direct” approach to evangelism of years past may need to be modified into a more “discovery” based approach. When people are so afraid of conflict that they will avoid discussing truth altogether, it is impossible to expose them to it. God’s Word is powerful enough though that any honest mind and heart that discovers and searches it, even one which has been warped by such a worldview, will come to accept it.