In my experience with helping parents and ministering to families at Shepherds Hill Academy, I am amazed at how many parents are not equipped with the proper understanding of a postmodern worldview and how it effects their teen’s life.
Postmodernism is crucial for parents in today’s culture to understand if they are going to effectively pass on a biblical worldview to their kids. The subject of worldview is half the parenting battle today; yet, few parents realize it. People do what they believe and understand to be right. Today’s entertainment and “me-centered” focus heavily influences parents and teens alike. If a parent is going to stand a chance in keeping his family in tact, he must familiarize himself with postmodernism.
So what is postmodernism? Before I answer this question, let me encourage you to do further study on the postmodern worldview. I highly recommend any of Summit Ministries’ material. In addition, Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, and D. James Kennedy all help make the complexity of postmodernism easier to comprehend. Anything from C.S. Lewis and Dr. Norman Geisler is also excellent.
Two important reasons you must familiarize yourself with postmodernism:
Postmodernism is Antithetic to a Biblical Worldview
Essentially; postmodernism is a system of thought, a worldview, that believes that truth is relative. It is not absolute. Truth is what you choose it to be. But, of course, when the postmodern thinker says: “There are no absolutes” the statement self-destructs before it even leaves his mouth, because he’s just made an absolute statement. Either that, or he must agree that his statement is only valid to himself.
In the case of a parent/child relationship, if Junior wants to come home after midnight; yet, mom wants him home at eight, who’s position is truly right since postmodernism says truth is subjective? Many parents cower to the postmodern-induced arguments of their children. Scripture, however, says kids are to honor and obey their parents.
Postmodernism Appeals to the Carnal Nature
To a kid who is not properly guided into adolescence the postmodern culture seems more appealing than the biblical worldview. This is largely because it is a “feelings-based” worldview. Actions become justified by feelings.
If a sixteen-year-old boy wants to have sex before marriage, his feelings will dictate his decisions. He doesn’t think about the logical consequences of his actions. Should his partner become pregnant, his feelings can steer him and his partner toward abortion. Their is no “ought” in the equation. That would be considered narrow-minded and intolerant. Much of this worldview is learned from media and pop culture at large.
Because the proponents of a postmodern worldview are not using the term “postmodernism” in their rhetoric; but, rather simply exercise the tenets of their beliefs, their influence flies under the radar.
Most people are unsuspecting and have no idea that they even have a worldview or presuppositions about anything–much less a postmodern worldview. To most, it’s just what they believe–and it’s easy to believe; because it “feels” so right.
Killing a person who stole my socks might “feel” right to me; however, there is a transcendent truth that overrides my feelings. But, this truth is exactly what the postmodern thinker chooses to deny; because it frees him to his carnal desires. That is where so many of our kids live today. Basically, they create their own reality; and, then justify their actions by their subjective thoughts. One person sees the ball fair; but, another sees it foul. However, whoever sees it as it really is–whether it be foul or fair–is the one who happens to be right.
This is God’s perspective–the absolute Truth from all perspectives, and on all matters. This, however, is the perspective that is considered narrow-minded. The truth is that few people are willing to allow a god, who doesn’t pander to their own personal and subjective standards for morality, to look over their shoulders anymore.
Picture provided by: Nathaniel D. Ether.