Postmodernism: Demonic Deception And Delusion

I'm beginning to understand that classic Reformed Theology is the most faithful systematic expression of Biblical truth in history because this is what the Lord Jesus Christ, His apostles, and the prophets of Old Testament taught.

No, I'm not saying that those early Reformers are infallible, but just that it's been refreshing to experience the Holy Spirit leading me to study these men and their teachings in comparison to God's Word from so many years ago.

Perhaps it's refreshing to me because we're smack dab in the middle of a great apostasy ourselves these days. Whatever the case may be, I pray that these posts are as edifying to you as they have been to me in putting them together.

Today, I want to address the major demonic deception and delusion that exists within contemporary Christianity (within the world itself) called Postmodernism.

Whenever I think of Postmodernism, I think of Pontius Pilate's infamous words.

John 18:38 (KJV) Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

[emphasis mine]

So, clearly, this is nothing new.

What is Postmodernism though? Well, in the simplest terms, Postmodernism can be defined as a love of unbelief. Let's define it further...

-- The development of Modernism from Greek philosophy to the Enlightenment

-- Human reason aided by scientific exploration the basis for absolute truth

-- Darwinism and the denial of a Creator God

-- World Wars and ruthless dictatorship

-- Postmodernism born out of disillusionment as Modernism holds no real answers

Postmodernism (essentially skepticism), proposes the idea that truth cannot be known. The essential elements of Postmodernism are...

a) Relativism and Pluralism
b) Consumerism
c) Political Correctness

How does Postmodernism affect our society? Why is it dangerous? Well, I hope that's obvious. To clarify, it affects our personal conversation, moral principles, and political truthfulness. In essence, it's a cancer that destroys...everything.

The specific danger? Dr. C. Matthew McMahon identifies the threat for us.

Liberal Protestantism is one of the most destructive movements within modern Christian thought because it 1) redefines and reinterprets orthodox ideas to fit new categories of thought, and 2) removes objective truth and absolute standards. In other words, though postmodernists would not claim this in every area (though some would) truth changes. If this is not blatantly stated, it is practically accomplished. This movement gave way to atheistic theories such as Darwin's evolutionary theory. If the pseudo-intellectual theory of evolution can take root in Postmodern thought, and reside there with any degree of comfort, then its existence in relativity to Christian teaching and the God of the Bible, is at complete odds with it, or at least should be at odds with it. For the postmodern theologian, almost all Christian beliefs will come to be regarded as "seriously" out of line within modern cultural norms. Most of the time, Christian beliefs are "completely" redefined, or orthodox beliefs abandoned, as liberal theologians reinterpreted them.

Postmodern Liberalism places an immense weight on the notion of universal human religious experience, and denies absolute truth, as well as the objectivity of truth. It emphasizes transient cultural relationships, and surrenders Christian theology at the expense of changing times or the need for a new and fresh redefining of terms. Postmodernism has come to be known as a "cultural sensibility" without absolutes, fixed certainties, or foundations. It delights in pluralism, and divergence, and thinks in terms of situational ethics. Postmodern philosophers are as diverse in their theological outlook as they are many. They are primarily concerned with the developments of liberal theology, and how theology affects and interpolates with culture.

In regard to Biblical thought, deconstructionist ideas are a primary aspect of Postmodernism which teaches the critical method that virtually declares the identity and intentions of the author of a text are irrelevant to the interpretation of the text. Therefore, before the interpretation is given, there is really no meaning to the text but what one brings to the text or reads from it. (This actually applies to any text or idea that is read.) Traditional and academic biblical interpretation is overthrown, and any type of systematization of information (systematic theology) is hostile to the framework of postmodernism. Postmodernists, then, tackle a type of "biblical" interpretation in a biblical theology (wherever their theology would lead them) over a systematic theology which sets certain undeniable lines and guides for historical orthodoxy.

The affects of Postmodernism can be seen in the church in a liberalism that infects the manner in which hermeneutics affect systematic theology and exegesis. With postmodern theology of any kind there is always the inherent characteristic of redefinition for the sake of clarity or relevancy. Postmodern theologians take old ideas, strip them of their meaning, reinvent these ideas with a type of cultural relevancy, and then pass them off as biblical teachings under the guise of a new paradigm shift that must take place due to changing times. However, new angles usually represent old deviant ideas and heretical concepts repackaged as the truth.

Postmodern Liberalism does not have to deny all matters of the Christian Faith, it simply needs to take old orthodoxy and redefine it to mean something else, or something they think is more relevant.

Now do you see why we should absolutely abhor Postmodernism?

I also like what Apprising Ministries had to say on this issue.

The absolute truth is that no matter what a given society’s views regarding God may be—though they are free to have them—as you see from our opening text, it’s Christ’s command that His pastor-teachers:

must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9).

Unfortunately today too much of the church is not willing to refute those who oppose sound doctrine and instead has become more like Peter was in Mark 8:33, which led to a most startling rebuke from our Lord; Who clearly told His disciple that he actually held a view that originates from Satan — “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

So you see, it’s not as if we haven’t had the chance to listen to the Spirit’s subtle warnings not to think like men and then try to preach the Gospel the way men think it should be preached in this Biblically foreign mission field of pouty postmodernism. For those who have eyes to see, it really is right there in the text of Scripture, and even our own Biblical scholars have said it—though apparently we haven’t realized this message from God the Holy Spirit.

as a pastor-teacher the Bible tells me there are times where I have to — charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-7) and say what you will, but I’m also not afraid to speak the truth from God’s perspective — “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

And so it is as the conveniently comfortable way in which the increasing postmodern evangelical community continues assimilating itself into the pragmatic business methods of the world. When we are shown from the Bible that these practices are not in line with what God Himself would have us do, and since the only other source left is that of Satan himself, I am actually quite justified in exposing the current syncretism which—despite many variant levels of compromised, aberrant, and/or heretical doctrines—ultimately originates from the same root in antichrist.

For they come from the same serpentine source as they still slither together all the while emerging out onto the way that is broad, and they—and all who follow them—if they do not repent will eventually arrive at the same eternal destination of destruction (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). Yes, many do laugh at me for teaching such things today. However, no matter how much we’d like to try and convince ourselves that God “understands” our compromises; that He’ll just sort it all out in the end, etc., the absolute fact remains that Jesus has left us here as His ambassadors (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20).

As I closing this, for now, in John 20:21 our Lord clearly says — “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” Logically then, just as it was also once a part of His job, the Master has now entrusted us to tell those who are in sin—and particularly those in the Body of Christ—to leave that practice immediately. It’s time to say it plainly: All this compromises in order to please people within evangelicalism is sin. Sin still means “to miss the mark” of Christ; and when we do miss this mark it is God’s Name which is sullied and it is His Church that ends up being mocked.

If you really are His, then you will grieve about the current sad state of the Christian faith…just as Jesus does.

Bottom line, we should refute false doctrine, not adapt to it (or ignore it).

Postmodernism, which at first affected the arts in breaking all the norms of beauty and order, now further infiltrates so many aspects of our society. The so-called 'Emerging Church Movement' is the most glaring example that comes to mind. Things like A Purpose Driven Life, The Shack, and Love Wins are additional ones.

I like how Thomas Watson addressed it...

"We glorify God by believing. Romans 4:20. 'Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God.' Unbelief affronts God, it gives him the lie; 'he that believeth not, maketh God a liar.' 1 John 5:10. But faith brings glory to God; it sets to its seal that God is true. John 3:33. He that believes flies to God's mercy and truth, as to an altar of refuge; he engarrisons himself in the promises, and trusts all he has with God. Psalm 31:5. 'Into thy hands I commit my spirit.' This is a great way of bringing glory to God, and God honours faith, because faith honours him. It is a great honour we do to a man when we trust him with all we have, when we put our lives and estates into his hand; it is a sign we have a good opinion of him. The three children glorified God by believing. 'The God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and will deliver us.' Dan 3:17. Faith knows there are no impossibilities with God, and will trust him where it cannot trace him."

-- Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity

But what about the Word of God? What does it say about this demonic deception of the worst kind? It says a lot actually. Here are my favorites.

John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Colossians 2:3 (ESV) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What should be our response to Postmodernism?

-- Understand that it's not new, but always a way of justifying rebellion against God

-- Understand that it's an absurd contradiction and its response to moral questions and what's true/false is wholly inconsistent

-- Understand that Christians must confront the absurdity of it on every level and wherever they find it, especially as it makes inroads into the family, the church, and state

Friends, Postmodernism poses a grave threat to our cherished faith.

It is imperative that we understand what it is, understand why it's dangerous, and understand how to refute it. For a handful of excellent sermons that define and refute Postmodernism, please CLICK HERE.

What is truth? The truth is that doctrine is either of Jesus Christ, or it is anti-Christ.

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