You know, I recently did an internet search on Post-Modern thinking. One thing I found out that really bugs them is when you tell them the argument that Post-Modernism is self refuting.
I’ll tell you why it bugs you – because it’s right, and you know it.
it is self refuting when you say dumb things like, “Well, we can’t know the truth. What’s true for you may not be true for me.”
Post-Modernism is as good an example I can think of for Biblical Separation. It starts out in teenagers minds because they are hanging out with unSaved kids, and the unsaved kids spout this nonsense because it sounds good and rational. And you think, “Well, I really like Josh or Chelsea, and I don’t want to hurt their feelings. and it sounds good and rational. And I like them, and it sounds like they thought about it for a long time, and I haven’t, so I’m going to agree with them.” And you nod your head.
And then later you’re talking to Bryan or to Brittany (By the way, I just randomly picked from the most common names for today’s youth), and you’re talking about truth. So to sound smart, you try this phrase. “Well, maybe that’s true for them. What’s true for you may not be true for them.”
And now you feel smart.
Did you stop and really think about it logically?
Truth is not relative, by definition. Truth is an absolute. Here’s the phrase that bugs post-modernists – Post Modernism is self refuting. Bottom line. Your experiences and desires may be relative, but truth is NOT relative. I shall demonstrate.
Truth is an absolute statement by definition. “Two plus two equals four.” I realize there’s a very bad piece of Calculus equation floating around that states two plus two equals Pi. That’s why I deliberately chose this example. “If you have two dollars, and I give you two dollars, that makes four dollars you have.” It doesn’t matter what the equation says, the end of the day is it equals four dollars in your hand. Modern tax laws make the Pi equation more likely – but you haven’t paid taxes on it yet! Two plus two equals four. Bottom line. That’s true for you and true for me.
Am I arguing from bad analogy? I know I’m quick to accuse people of this, but no. We’re not dealing with a philosophical argument here, we’re talking about tangible truths. There are truths, and errors (using the contrast of the particular definition in question.)
What this boils down to is good hearted people. Yup. I just said it. If you’re post modern, the odds are very good that deep down inside, you’re probably a very good person. You don’t like hurting other people’s feelings.
You don’t like having to say to someone, “Hey, you know, the religion you’re following, it was made up by a man or woman. It’s not truth. It says in John 14:6, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the father but by me.’ If you don’t repent and accept the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for your sins, you’re going to suffer for all eternity in unbearable torment and agony. Let me show you from the Bible how to be born again.”
Not many people like saying that. But if you’re NOT saying that, you’re utterly condemning that person to an eternity in Hell, in a burning torment that has no end. Hell right now is unbearable, to the point that getting a single drop of water from the tip of a finger sounds like an immense relief.
So let’s examine this through logic. Let’s drop the arguing from analogy approach that everyone uses.
We can demonstrate from numerous proofs that there is a God. So, since we know there’s a God who created everything, there must be a way in which He wants a relationship with us.
To have a relationship with Him in any way other than the way He has chosen is not truth. It is error.
To make matters worse, a common theme in religions is the “true religion” stance. “We are the true way.” The fact it can be found in so many religions shows that mankind recognizes this fact, that one must have the right relationship with the Creator God.
Another common theme of most religions is the “salvation” understanding. Simply put, it recognizes that all persons are sinful beings, and we must in some way overcome the sin barrier between us and God. Following the logic trail from the beginning of our argument, if God describes only one right way to have a relationship with Him, and most religions share an understanding of Exclusivity, then God would have only one way to overcome the sin barrier between ourselves and God.
Only Christianity insists that we cannot overcome that barrier by ourselves. Our understanding of God elevates God to a level so high that He cannot bear to look upon sin. God realizes that sin barrier is impenetrable. Nothing can breach that barrier. Our sins utterly separate us from God. So God Himself paid our sin debt. This is the meaning of the word Propitiation. All we have to do is accept.
Now everything rests on this point. did you think it through to this point? Doesn’t feel Good or rational, you say? Well, this was the flawed premise you started with in the first place. Who ever said, “You will know by your feelings”? Nobody.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Romans 7:18 (KJV)
Your feelings can lie to you. Have you ever bought something on an impulse, and then found out later that it wasn’t as good as you thought? Or that person you met you thought was it, and started seeing them – only to find out, “Ooh, not good!” Or that new friend you thought was so cool, but quickly found out would get you into nothing but trouble? Did you rely on your feelings before that? You sure did. Oh, wow, your feelings can lie to you! You know, if you’d just read your Bible, the answer was right there.
So, the truth is that we’re all sinners. We have all sinned before a Holy God. Our sins doom us to an eternity in Hell. Without any way to save our selves, we are utterly helpless. So the Lord Jesus Christ came to live among us, wholly God and Wholly man, perfect and sinless. He died for us, was three days in the grave, then rose bodily from the dead. Can I prove that? Well, yes, there’s this empty tomb in Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, our sins were nailed with Him. And when He died, He paid the penalty for us.
This is the literal truth. It is true for you, for me, for Buddhists, Hindu’s, Atheists, Agnostics, Roman Catholics, Shintoists, Jains, Sikhs, and for everyone else on the face of the earth.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matthew 14:33 (KJV)
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17 (KJV)
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23 (KJV)
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 (KJV)
What’s true is true, for everyone. And here’s another truth for you. If someone does not repent of their sins, and never gets born again, they will in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven. They will go into the lake of fire to burn for all eternity.
Go tell your friends that. It’s true for you, and for me.
