Lionel Chew originally presented this workshop on December 27, 2004 at the WCCCC Winter Conference.

Is Christianity Narrow-Minded?
Addressing Postmodernism’s Critique of Christian Exclusivity
By Lionel Chew, Ph.D.
 

I.   Broadly, there are two basic versions of Postmodernist sentiment:  The strong version and various more moderate forms.

1. The strong version asserts that there is no such thing as     absolute        truth         , only ___truth___ claims.  All claims to truth have ____equal____ status.  All truth is merely a social construct of ______culture_______ and _______language_______
    

2. Moderate versions argue that __knowledge _ is nevertheless attainable, even though it is subject to revision.  Not all claims to truth have equal _merit__.  Culture and language are not the only ___sources___  and _mediators__ of knowledge.

II.     There were several factors which gave rise to Postmodernism. 

1. Many were beginning to see the limits of _        modernism              __, which espoused humankind’s ability to use reason and scientific inquiry to solve all problems.  These were the sentiment and optimism that arose during the Renaissance and the ensuing period of ___Enlightenment____ (1600-1700 A.D.).
    

2. Two __World_____ ____Wars___ ushered in a period of grave pessimism and disillusionment with the nature of man and the use of technology
    

3. Major voices embodying this postmodern zeitgeist rose to the fore:  Michael Foucault (1926-1984), who challenged the Enlightenment notion of __objectivity____; Jacques Derrida (1930- ), whose deconstructionalism denied that a written text had any ___inherent____ meaning; and Jean-Francois Lyotard (1924-1998), who rejected the ___meta-narrative___  or grand “story” that explains the little stories
    

4. The popular and radical movements of the ___Sixties___ gave rise to a whole new group of young intellectuals, who were inspired by the current of political ____activism____  and the writings of postmodernists.  Eventually, these scholars entered the __rank__ and __file___ of academia
    

5. When their attempts at social reform fell short in changing major political __structures__ and __institutions___, they turned inward to the ___university_____.  Nothing was sacred as they sought to
   challenge and subvert the __status__  ____quo______ in their disciplines and curriculum.  They questioned all claims to authority and the blanket acceptance of the __Scientific__ ____Method_____
    

6. Added to this was competition for research funding, which was often based on quantities of ____publication______.  This led to an extreme emphasis on publishing.  Often interest and the potential for publication was increased when ___radical___, sometimes perceived as novel, challenges to conventional
   or previously established ___theories___ were leveled.  Thus, the academician was often ____rewarded____ for taking extreme or eccentric positions.  This has helped to ensconce postmodern principles and approaches in higher learner where they function as the underpinning for what seems to be ___critical_____ _____analysis_____ or ____creative________  _____thinking____

III.       How to relate to one who has been influenced by the Postmodern perspective.

1. Begin with the right ___attitude_______.

 ^““24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,”  II Tim. 2:24-26 

1. Be prayerful, keeping your ears open to the ___Spirit____.
2. Do not look at them as an __adversary____ but as a lost child of God created in His image (Acts 17: 28-29, Gen 1:27)
3. Be ____passionate____ vs. dogmatic.
4. Be engaging vs. __combative__.
5. Enjoy it as a sharing experience, not a ___battle____ you must win in order to successfully defend the faith
    

2. Be quick to ask questions and  __listen__

^“19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” James 1:19 

1. Find out all you can to know exactly where the person ___stands_____ .
2. Try to discover their unique ___perspectives___ as well as their felt and unspoken needs.
3. Look at it as an opportunity to ___learn_____ as well as to share your faith.
4. Express ___appreciation____ when they open up about their beliefs as well as their personal feelings
    

3. Establish some points of ______agreement_______

^“22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” Acts 17:22-23 

1. Be quick to point out what ________observations______ you have in common.
2. Here are some potential examples:
   
   That you do not believe that ____modern_____   _____science____ is infallible and the ultimate authority.
   
   That the ___human___  _____condition_____ in its present course will only get worse and not better
   
   That humanity, rather than being the source of the solution, is really the source of the _____problem_____
    

4. Address the issue of Christian exclusivity without ______apology_______

^“15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
I Peter 3:15

1. Christianity is not so much narrow-minded as it is _______precise_____
2. Humanity has a very precise problem:  _______sin_______ .
3. Only __Jesus__  ______Christ_____ and His death on the cross is the complete solution to the problem (Romans 8:1-3).
4. Think of personal _____illustrations_______ where you want someone to be “narrow-minded” or precise. I want my _______dentist________ to be narrow-minded if he is about to extract a ____tooth_______. I want my ________surgeon_______ to be narrow-minded if he is about to remove my _______appendix_________ . I want my _____anit-viral_____ program to be precise and remove the exact _______virus________ infection on my PC
    

5. Explain how the empirical approach of _____experience______ supports Christianity’s claims.

^“2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. ³We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. “ I John I:2-3 

1. Share how you have felt Jesus forgiving your sins and  becoming ______real______ to you.
2. Describe how you experience Christ on a  ______on-going__________ basis.
3. Explain how your ________reality_______ can be their _______reality________ if they will also surrender to Christ.
    

6. In the end, realize that the practice of faith is ______innate_____ and not intellectual.

^“18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Roman 1:18-29 

1. It’s not a matter of you convincing their ______mind_____ but God changing their ________heart________.
2. Oftentimes, their morality ______impels______ their theology.

Lotter, G. and G Thompson.  “Challenges and Opportinities of Postmodernism for the Church. http://www.tbs.edu/documents/thompson/postmodernism.htm

Lubeck, Ray.  “Responding to Postmodernism as a Christian.
”http://www.nvinet.com/worldseen/pomo%20reponding.htm

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING QUIZ

Major Non-Christian Paradigms:  A Quiz Answer Sheet 

1. Reincarnation is a central belief of Buddhism.
1. True
2. False
    

2. In Buddhism, a Bodhisattvas is
1. A Bodhisat’s worship garb
2. A future Buddha
3. A female Buddha
4. A pouch to carry prayer beads
    

3. Which of these is not one of Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths
      A. Suffering is Universal
      B. Suffering is caused by desire
      C. To eliminate suffering is to eliminate desire
    

4. Buddhism maintains that to achieve salvation, one needs the help of external sources.
      A. True
      B. False
    

5. According to Taoism, the quest of the human race is to become one with the Tao (way, truth or path).
      A. True
      B. False
    

6. In Taoism, which is not one of the three jewels of virtue?
      A. Compassion
      B. Honesty
      C. Moderation
      D. Humility
    

7. A central concept of Taoism is the Yin and Yang, which is roughly the dark side versus the sunny side.
      A. True
      B. False
    

8. Taoism’s “five directions” are water, fire, wood, metal and ________________________.
      A. air
      B. light
      C. earth
      D. wind
    

9. The individual self-expression of BRAHMAN, Hinduism’s ultimate life principle or force, is called:
      A. Gita
      B. Sutra
      C. Atman
      D. Batman
    

10. Hindu’s believe that Brahman is a separate, metaphysical reality above all that exists.
       A. True
       B. False
     

11. The Hindu doctrine of God embraces three conceptions of God as Brahman, Vishnu and Siva, which are, respectively, Creator, Preserver and _______________________.
       A. Destroyer
       B. Sanctifier
       C. Multiplier
       D. All of the above
     

12. Karma, in Hinduism, is the law by which one action’s and deeds determine a lower or higher place of rebirth in the cycle of reincarnation.
       A. True
       B. False
     

13. Which of these is the fundamental Islamic motto?
       A. "There is no God but Adan, and Muhammad is his prophet
       B. "There is no prophet but Allah, and Adonai is his God
       C. "There is no prophet but Allah, and Muhammad is his God.
       D. "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet

14.  Muslim prayers, called salat, must be said three times daily while facing Mecca.
       A. True
       B. False

15.   Which group of Muslims is more tolerant of political diversity and open to secular governing bodies.
A. Sunni Muslims
B. Shi'ite Muslims

16. Muslims hold Jesus Christ in high esteem as a true prophet of God.
        A. True
        B. False

      17.  Central to Confucianism is the concept of Jen or “social virtue.”
              A. True
              B. False

      18.  Which of these is not one of the Confucian “Awes” of a virtuous man?
              A. Awe for Heaven's Decree
              B. Awe for great men
              C. Awe for saints' words
              D. Awe of beautiful women

      19.   Confucianism is really an extensive ethics system, which has no basis in religion or religious influences.
              A. True
              B. False

20.  Which is the correct order of the step-by-step process by which self-development in Confucianism is attained?

  A.   Investigation of phenomena
        Learning
        Rectitude of purpose

Sincerity
Self-development
Family-discipline

Local self-government
Universal self-government

 B.  Investigation of phenomena
Sincerity
Learning
Rectitude of purpose
Self-development
Family-discipline
Local self-government

Universal self-government

 C.  Investigation of phenomena
Learning
Sincerity
Rectitude of purpose
Self-development
Family-discipline
Local self-government,

Universal self-government 

D.   Investigation of phenomena
Learning,
Sincerity

Self-development
Family-discipline
Rectitude of purpose

Local self-government

Universal self-government 

21.  Secular humanists believe in the central importance of the value of human happiness here and now.
      A.   True
      B.   False

22.  Which is not a description of Secular Humanism?
      A.   Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs
      B.   Individuals must take responsibility for their own lives and communities
      C.   Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility
            , human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.
      D.   Secular humanism opposes voluntary euthanasia (mercy-killing).

23.   A secular humanist would agree most with which statement?
      A.   Promises of immortal salvation or fear o eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful.
      B.   Believing in God does have some merits.
      C.   Alleviating the pain of suffering of others is wrong-headed since we are individually responsible for
            our actions.
      D.   Religiously based morals are acceptable as long as they promote the greater social good

24.   Secular Humanists credit their ideals to the philosophers, scientists, and poets of classical. Greece and
  Rome, to ancient Chinese Confucian society, and to the Carvaka movement of India.
      A.   True
      B.   False

25.   New Age practitioners believe humanities primary queswt is to discover and tap the knowledge of the
  divine that resides in each individual.
      A.   True
      B.   False

26.   Which is not a common theme of New Age movement?
      A.   Universal Religion
      B.   Inter-faith dialogue
      C.   Personal transformation
      D.   Planetary transformation

27.   New Agers believe that traditional medical practices are ____________________
      A.   Inspiring
      B.   Complementary
      C.   Unnatural
      D.   Useful

28.    Some in the New Age movement have expected a messianic figure or Avatar to user the dawning of the
   New Age.
      A.   True
      B.   False

29.    Postmodernism is,
      A.   Critical of the notion of "objectivity" in science
      B.   A movement originating in aesthetics, architecture and philosophy
      C.   Skeptical of authoritative definitions and single explanation of events
      D.   All of the above

30.    According to some post modernists, truth is constantly evolving.
      A.   True
      B.   False

31.    A post modern thinker would most be most critical of which statement?
      A.   Since the perceiver is flawed, he cannot be certain of what he or she is perceiving.
      B.   Distinctions in thought and paradigms are becoming increasingly blurred
      C.   Science continues to hold much promise because we can discover and apply absolute
            scientific fact.
      D.   No general theory exists which can explain all things.

32.    Postmodernism rejects the notion that reality exists
      A. True
      B. False

Sources

Mather, G and L. Nichols.  1993.  Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult.  Grand Rapids, MI:
  Zondervan Publishing House.

http://religion-cults.com/Eastern/Confucianism/confuci.htm

http://www.askasia.org/frclasrm/readings/r000004.htm

http://www.secularhumanism.org/

http://www.religioustolerance.org/humanism.htm

http://www.secularhumanism.org/intro/declaration.html#science

http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/Faculty/murphy/436/pomo.htm#Basic%20Premises

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