Title: www.MeeknessAndTruth.org
1Challenges to Evangelism In A Post-Modern World
www.MeeknessAndTruth.org
2 The Challenges of Evangelism Today
3Problems Doing Evangelism in the World We Live in
- It is hard to proclaim the forgiveness of sins
to people who believe that, since morality is
relative, they have no sins to forgive. - Gene Veith, Postmodern Times, p.16
4Obstacles to Evangelism Today
- The World we Live In
- Rejection of moral absolutes
- The skepticism of our society
- An indifference towards
- truth or rejection of truth
Signs of Trouble Have Surfaced Even In The East
5Signs of Trouble Have Surfaced Even In The East
- Many students don't think that there is a
standard of right and wrong. Rather, they believe
that this is up to the individual. This means
they do hold a standard of right and wrong
themselves, but they feel that each person's
standard of right and wrong differs from the
other. - Personally, I feel stuck as to how to proceed
on with the conversation. It's like saying that
this food is nice for me but may not be nice for
you. They relegate the standard of right and
wrong to personal preference.
6Signs of Trouble Have Surfaced Even In The East
-
- I find that I'm shaken. Not in terms of my
faith but in terms of how to answer such
questions. - - Former Student, East Asia
School of Theology
7There is an intolerance towards those who say
there is a bridge they must cross!
8Our Problems In Evangelism Are Just the Tip Of
the Iceberg
9Our Problems in Evangelism Are SymptomsOf An
Even Greater Problem!
- As we approach the twenty-first century, It
doesnt take a rocket scientist to recognize that
our entire culture is in trouble. We are staring
down the barrel of a loaded gun and we can no
longer afford to act like it is loaded with
blanks. - J. P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your
Mind, p.21
10 A. Evidence of the Worlds Impact On Christians
- 1. Some Christians are losing their moral compass
and embracing moral relativism - 53 of those who call themselves evangelical
Christians believe that there are no absolutes. - Yet 88 of evangelicals believe that The Bible
is the written word of God and it totally
accurate in all it teaches. - George Barna, The Barna Report What Americans
Believe (Ventura, CA Regal Books, 1991), pp.
83-85
11 Evidence of the Worlds Impact On Christians
- 1. Some Christians are losing their moral compass
and embracing moral relativism. - 2. Some of our leaders struggle with establishing
a biblical worldview framework in their teaching - Just half of all Protestant Senior Pastors (51)
meet the criteria for having a biblical worldview
(2004). - The criteria are believing that God is the
all-knowing and all-powerful creator of the
universe who still rules it today that Jesus
Christ never sinned that Satan is real that
salvation is received through faith in Christ,
not by good deeds that every follower of Christ
has a responsibility to share their faith with
non-believers that the Bible is accurate in all
that it teaches that absolute moral truth
exists and that absolute moral truth is
described in the Bible. - http//www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?PageBarnaUpda
teNarrowBarnaUpdateID177
12 Evidence of the Worlds Impact On Christians
- 1. Christian lay people are losing their moral
compass. - 2. Some Christian leaders themselves struggle
with establishing a biblical Worldview. - 3. For some the content of their Christian faith
is losing its structure - 72 of born again Christians believe they
personally have a responsibility to tell other
people their religious beliefs - Born Again Christians, 2000, George Barna, Barna
Web-site -
- Yet only 2 out of every 10 born again Christians
(19 percent) knew the meaning of the Great
Commission. - Half correctly described the content of John
316, and 6 out of 10 knew the meaning of the
term the gospel. - George Barna, Evangelism that Works, 1995, p.37
13A Misunderstanding Of What is Involved in
Biblical Faith
- About one out of four (26) born again
Christians believe that it doesnt matter what
faith you follow because they all teach the same
lessons. - Born Again Christians, 2000, George Barna, Barna
Web-site
14- Student, University of Texas at Austin
- What is her misunderstanding concerning Biblical
Faith?
15Christianity is Based on a Historical Event
- And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching
is useless and so is your faith. - I Corinthians 1514 (NIV)
- Biblical faith must have an object to be
valid.
16 Evidence of the Worlds Impact On Christians
- 1. Christian lay people are losing their moral
compass. - 2. Some Christian leaders themselves struggle
with establishing a biblical Worldview. - 3. For some the content of their Christian faith
is losing its structure - Some Christians are becoming less certain of
their beliefs and more reluctant to share the
good news. -
- B. Negative repercussions on church growth
17B. Negative repercussions on church growth
- How is it possible for a person to be an
active member of an evangelical church for twenty
or thirty years and still know next to nothing
about the history and theology of the Christian
religion, the methods and tools required for
serious Bible study, and the skills and
information necessary to preach and defend
Christianity in a post-Christian, neopagan
culture? -
- J.P. Moreland, Love Your God With All Your Mind,
p.188
18Implications For The Church
- "When a majority of Christian adultsas well as
three out of four born again teens proudly cast
their vote for moral relativism, the Church is in
trouble. - Continuing to preach more sermons, teach more
Sunday school classes and enroll more people in
Bible study groups won't solve the problem since
most of these people don't accept the basis of
the principles being taught in those venues. The
failure to address this issue at its root, and to
do so quickly and persuasively, will undermine
the strength of the church for at least another
generation, and probably longer." - George Barna, The Barna Update "Americans Are
Most Likely to Base Truth on Feelings" from Feb
12, 2002
19II. Understanding Post-Modern Influences and Why
Our Christian Foundations Are Being Eroded Away
- How Did the Church Fall Into This Crisis?
20- When the foundations are being destroyed, what
can the righteous do. - Psalm 113
21A World View Shift
- a major cause of our current crisis consists
of a world view shift from a Judeo-Christian
understanding of reality to a post-Christian
one. -
- - J. P. Moreland, Love Your God with All
Your Mind, - p.21
22- The Tsunami of Post-Modernism
23II. Understanding Post-Modern Influencesand Why
Our Christian Foundations Are Being Eroded Away.
A. Understanding the three main periods of the
history of western thought (Pre-Modern, Modern,
and Post-Modern)
24Changing Beliefs Concerning God
Historical Development of Western World Views
Thomas Oden first suggested that the modern age
lasted 200 years
To understand the modern period we need to
understand the pre-modern period.
To understand the post-modern period we need to
understand the modern period.
25Changing Beliefs - Theism
Historical Development of Western World Views
THEISM
THEISM
GOD
COSMOS
26Changing Beliefs - Deism
Historical Development of Western World Views
THEISM
THEISM Deism
GOD
GOD
COSMOS
COSMOS
27Changing Beliefs - Atheism
Historical Development of Western World Views
THEISM
ATHEISM
THEISM Deism NATURALISM
GOD
GOD
GOD
COSMOS
COSMOS
COSMOS
.
28Changing Beliefs - Atheism
THEISM
ATHEISM
THEISM Deism NATURALISM Nihilism
GOD
GOD
GOD
COSMOS
COSMOS
COSMOS
29Changing Beliefs - Atheism
Historical Development of Western World Views
THEISM
ATHEISM
THEISM Deism NATURALISM Nihilism
EXISTENTIALISM
GOD
GOD
GOD
COSMOS
COSMOS
COSMOS
301). Philosophical ideas from Europe (Hume and
Kant)
- If what we can know comes only from our sense,
and God is outside our senses, we cannot know
God. - The Bible became merely a guide for ethical and
spiritual growth
31Changing Beliefs - Pluralism
Historical Development of Western World Views
1st Century 17th Century
19th Century 19th-20th
Century 20th Century
Late 21st Century
32II. Understanding Post-Modern Influences
- Understanding the three main periods of the
history of western thought (Pre-Modern, Modern,
and Post-Modern) - Understanding the Post-Modern Period
- Two Main Characteristics
- 1. Pluralism
- 2. Post-Modernism
33Religious Pluralism
- Is the belief that all religions are true.
-
- (They all have a part of the truth)
34RELIGIONS
JUDAISM
HINDUISM
ISLAM
TAOISM
CHRISTIANITY
BUDDHISM
35II. Understanding Post-Modern Influences
- Understanding the three main periods of the
history of western thought (Pre-Modern, Modern,
and Post-Modern) - Understanding the Post-Modern Period
- Understanding Post-Modernism and its impact
36C. Understanding Post-Modernism and its impact
What is Postmodernism?
A. Main Characteristics 1. In general it is a
rejection of anything modern
37Changing Beliefs - Pluralism
Historical Development of Western World Views
THEISM
ATHEISM
PLURALISM
THEISM Deism NATURALISM Nihilism
EXISTENTIALISM Fill in the blank
- Postmodernism (influenced by the philosophy of
Nietzsche) - Weak Theism (of various stripes)
- New Age Pantheism, Monism
A key belief in a modernistic framework is that
science and reason could solve all of mans
problems
GOD
GOD
GOD
COSMOS
COSMOS
COSMOS
(Ps. 191) The heavens are telling the glory of
God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
(Psalm 531) The fool says in his heart, There
is no God.
(Judges 176) In those days there was no king in
Israel every man did what was right in his own
eyes.
38A. Main Characteristics
2. It is a belief in the Incredulity of
meta-narratives
39Postmodernism
I define postmodern as incredulity toward
meta-narratives, Jean-François Lyotard, The
Postmodern Condition A Report on Knowledge,
1984, xxiv
40What is Postmodernism? A. Main Characteristics
3. Its a total rejection of the idea of
absolute truthin favor of mere cultural
relativism
What are the characteristics of relativism from
a postmodern perspective?
41 Characteristics of Post-Postmodern Relativism
- No universal moral rules or standards exist
- No single standard or set of standards has been
(or is) universally accepted as binding on
everyone. - Moral norms vary from culture to culture and are
determined by social setting or environment.
42What is Postmodernism?
1. In general it is a rejection of anything
modern 2. It is a belief in the Incredulity of
meta-narratives 3. Its a total rejection of the
idea of absolute truthin favor or cultural
relativism 4. In its most extreme form, it is a
belief that our thoughts, attitudes, as well as
our very existence is just a social construct and
not real.
43Beliefs are merely social constructs!
- But postmodernist go beyond observing the
influence of culture to declaring that all
beliefs and knowledge claims are arbitrary
social constructs, fabrications of culture. -
- Dennis McCallum, ed., The Death of Truth.
(Minneapolis Bethany House, 1996). p.13.
44C. Understanding Post-Modernism and its impact
Postmodernism is thus an eclectic construct,
shrouded in deconstructionalistic and
post-structuralistic verbiage, based on the
hermeneutics of suspicion and an epistemology of
uncertainty that leads to the three defining
features of postmodernity as a cultural mood--ie.
The incredulity of meta-narratives, the
propagation of reality as a social construct and
the emergence of hyper-reality as a postmodern
phenomenon. As such, postmodernism is a sad
commentary of mans desperate search for meaning
a vain championing of an ideological abstraction
which promotes an ideological arbitrariness a
reasoning without reason in the face of human
arrogance and absurdity, which ultimately ushers
one towards fideism at best and nihilism at
worst. (Rev. Edmund Chan )
What is Postmodernism?
45C. Understanding Post-Modernism and its impact
What is Postmodernism?
- Main Characteristics
- A Biblical response to its more extreme form
46 Remember that Biblical truth is not a matter
of your own perspective!
- Above all you must understand that no prophecy
of Scripture came about by the prophets own
interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin
in the will of man, but men spoke from God as
they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. -
- 2 Peter 120-21 NIV
47 Remember that Biblical truth can not be
contradictory
- The Apostle Paul said, But as surely as God is
faithful, our message to you is not yes and no. - (2 Cor. 118 NIV)
48III. The Implications of Post-Modern Thought On
Our Witness to Others
- How it impacts others
- They feel free to create or construct
knowledge's and realities.
49This Explains Why Many Are Questioning The
Biblical Story of Jesus
The Da Vinci Code The Lost Gospel of Judas The
Lost Tomb of Christ
50The Implications of Post-Modern Thought On Our
Witness to Others
- How it impacts others
- They believe that our belief that Jesus is the
way, the truth, and the life is just one of the
narratives among other narratives in the world
that are equally as valid. - Their pluralistic mindset gives them no internal
motivation to hear about Jesus.
51Challenges to Evangelism In a Post-Modern World
I. Our Changing World and Its Impact on
Christians II. Understanding Post-Modern
Influences and Why Our Christian Foundations Are
Being Eroded Away. III. The Implications of
Post-Modern Thought On Our Witness to
Others IV. Things To Keep In Mind In Our Witness
To Post-Moderns?
52IV. Things To Keep In Mind In Our Witness To
Post-Moderns Some Important Keys?
We need to better understand the times or culture
in which we live. (1 Chron 1232).
53IV. Things To Keep In Mind In Our Witness To
Post-Moderns Some Important Key? Remember that
- Our convictions about Christ can come across as
arrogant to some. - Speak to them like one beggar to another
54 Remember that
- Our belief in truth and absolutes goes against
the post-modern grain. - Work out issues with people on their own time
table. - Dont be afraid to admit when you dont know
the answer to question your friends raise.
55Remember that
C. In order to speak to this postmodern
generation we need to intentionally communicate
by the appropriate use of questions,
illustrations, and stories.
56The Importance of Questions and Stories
- Two major characteristics of postmodernism are
of particular importance to us in evangelism (1)
the emphasis on questioning and (2) the
displacement of propositional truth in favor of
stories. If we are to be effective within this
postmodern culture, then, our evangelism must
involve the appropriate use of questions and
stories. - Nick Pollards book, Evangelism Made Slightly
Less Difficult, p. 70
57Remember that
D. Helping people to think through their beliefs
critically has limitations in the culture in
which we live. We must be careful not give
an overdose of argumentation in explaining
the Christian faith.
58We Are To Love God With All Of Our Mind
- Love The Lord Your God With All Your Heart and
With All Your Soul and With All Your Mind. - Matt. 2237
59A Caution In Using Reason And Evidence
- there is just enough of the modern worldview
left so that reason still has a point of entry.
But we have to use this knowledge wisely. We
cannot give an overdose of argumentation. - Ravi Zacharias, An Ancient Message, Through
Modern Means To the Postmodern Mind in Telling
the Truth Evangelizing Postmoderns, p. 27
60Remember that
D. Helping people to think through their beliefs
critically has limitations in the culture in
which we live. Therefore we need to be
careful how we build head bridges with others.
61Head Bridge Questions That Are Apologetic Lite!
- If you were coming to the end of your life, and
you met Jesus and other great religious leaders,
and each suggested a different path, whos advice
should you take. - Wouldnt you take the advice of someone whos
been to the other side and come back to tell us
about it?
62Head Bridge Questions That Are Apologetic Lite!
- Has anyone ever explained to you the difference
between Christianity and all other religions? I
can explain the difference using two words, Do
versus Done! - All the religions in the world say you have to
do something (Do) - Christianity says, there is nothing you can do
to earn your salvation, it has already been done.
All you have to do is accept the gift that God
has proved and invite Christ to some into your
life, forgive you of your sins, and change you
from the inside out (Phil. 213)
63Remember that
E. Because of post-modern influences, people
today tend to pick and mix worldviews. We
must be careful to listen to what they
really believe rather than a particular
religious label they give themselves.
64Remember That People Today Tend to
Pick-and-mix-Worldviews
this pragmatism necessarily leads to a
pick-and-mix adoption of worldviews. As people
face different situations, they wish to behave in
different ways. Consequently, they have to
believe different things. So, instead of adopting
one complete worldview, they pick bits of
different ones and mix them together. Nick
Pollard, Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult,
p.39
65Some Important Key? Remember that
E. Because of post-modern influences, people
today tend to pick and mix worldviews. We can
use this tendency to help people to more
carefully think through their beliefs.
66Some Important Key? Remember that
F. To more effectively reach those influenced by
postmodern thinking we need to speak to their
heart concerns most of all.
67Remember that
People are more creatures than creatures.
heart
head
Dave Montoya, Dealing With Both Minds and Hearts
Answering the Questions Behind the Questions,
located on Meekness web-site
68Remember that
- People care how little you know until they know
how much you care. - Example - Heart Bridges
- Former Hindu now staff worker for Campus
Crusade.
69Remember that
- Remember that
- G. To have a greater impact on others dont
underestimate the witness of the Christian
community and the emphasis on the spiritual.
70(No Transcript)
71Remember that
- Remember that
- H. Dont forget to witness to others in the power
of the of the Holy Spirit (Acts 18 Jn. 665) .
72Remember we are just the instrument!
God chose the weak things of the world to shame
the strong. 1Corinthians 127b (NIV)
73A. Use thought provoking questions to create
interest in others in hearing about Jesus
IV. Specific Tips In Speaking The Truth of
Christ To Our Post-Modern Generation
74Why Cant We Always Just Proclaim the Truth?
- We live in a world where people are reluctant to
be told what is true, but may be willing in some
cases to see for themselves (as in a mirror) the
inconsistencies in what they believe by asking
them probing questions.Dave Geisler
75The joy of self-discovery
Conversation with our former nanny How do
you fit Jesus into your Buddhist beliefs?
76Why Asking Questions Is So Helpful?
- A person can close his ears to facts he does
not want to hear, but if a pointed question
causes him to form the answer in his own mind, he
cannot escape the conclusionbecause its a
conclusion that he reached himself. - David Reed Baker, Jehovahs Witnesses Answered
Verse by Verse, (Grand Rapids Baker, 1986) p.
113
77B. Learn the art of asking questions with the
three Ds in mind
78AskAm I Asking Questions In A Way That
surfaces their Doubt (uncertainty) about their
own perspective, while at the same time minimizes
their Defensiveness, and yet creates a Desire
(curiosity) to want to hear more!
How do I know if I am asking the right kind of
questions in the right way?
79C. Determine if there is any possible question
and or issues behind the questions that are
raised (Mark 1218-27).
80Go Below The Surface
Proverbs 205 says, The purpose in a man's mind
is like deep water, but a man of understanding
will draw it out. Good apologetics requires
people of understanding who have the patience and
insight to not only deal with peoples stated
questions but to go below the surface and speak
to their true objections Rev. Dave Montoya,
Dealing With Both Minds and Hearts Answering the
Questions Behind the Questions, Unpublished
materials
81Jesus was a Mastered In Getting Below The Surface
In Mark 1218-27 when the Sadducees asks Jesus a
hypothetical question about who will be the
wifes husband at the resurrection, (since all
seven brothers were at one time married to her
but all died but didnt leave any children),
Jesus knew that their real question or concerned
had to deal with the issue of the resurrection of
the dead.
82Jesus was a Mastered In Getting Below The Surface
Jesus response Now about the dead risinghave
you not read in the book of Moses, in the account
of the bush, how God said to him, I am the God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the
living. You are badly mistaken. Mark 1226-27
(N.I.V.)
Jesus points to a passage in the Pentateuch
(which they did accept) Ex. 36 which supports
the position that there is a resurrection.
83- Example
- How can you claim that there is only one way to
God?
84How can you claim that there is only one way to
God?
What might be the belief behind the question?
They may believe that Christians are arrogant to
think that they have the truth and are therefore
better than others.
They may believe that Christians are not very
open to other faiths by being so exclusive.
85D. Learn how to more effectively communicate the
truth of the Christian message by the appropriate
use of illustrations and or stories.
86l
- Example 1 (Student with Hindu background)
-
- Why arent my good works good enough to get
into heaven? -
- What is the truth we want him to grasp
concerning the question or issue raised? - Theological Truth
-
- We tend to overestimate our own righteousness
- and underestimate Gods holiness.
87A Story to illustrate this truth
Suppose you were drinking some water out of a
paper cup. Would it be acceptable for me to put a
little sewage in your water?
If not do you see how something can seem so small
but in reality still have a huge impact?
So is it possible our sins could cause a bigger
barrier between us and God than we think?
Concept adapted from Glenn McGorty (Mirror
Model)
88Common Barrier (2 of 3)Wedding Dress Analogy
Picture a young women getting out of the car in
her beautiful white wedding dress. Then imagine
another car pulling up right next to her and a
man with grease all over him getting out. As he
gets out and passes by her, he smears grease all
over her beautiful white wedding dress.
Now, do you think that wedding dress is going to
acceptable to her?
Of course not, because the dress has to be
spotless!
Concept adapted from Glenn McGorty (Mirror
Model)
89E. Find common agreement even in your
disagreement with those you are trying to reach
(Acts 1722).
90- For 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 they are
without excuse. - For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do
instinctively the things of the Law, these, not
having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that
they show the work of the Law written in their
hearts - Romans 120 214-15
91Find Common Agreement
And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and
said, Men of Athens, I observe that you are very
religious in all respects. (Acts 1722)
92Learn the Art of Positive Deconstruction!
- The process of positive deconstructionism
recognizes and affirms the elements of truth to
which individuals already hold, but it also helps
them discover for themselves the inadequacies of
the underlying worldviews they have absorbed. The
aim is to awaken a heart response that says, I
am not so sure that what I believe is right after
all. I want to find out more about Jesus. - Nick Pollard, Evangelism Made Slightly Less
Difficult, p. 44
93E. Find common agreement even in your
disagreement with those you are trying to reach
(Acts 1722).
I believe that all religions are true!
94F. Build your bridge with others using planks of
common understanding, even those they may not
be totally aware of.
95Build Your Bridge Using Planks Of Common
Understanding
96F. Build your bridge with others on planks of
common understanding, even those they may not
be totally aware of.
The problem with pluralism
97Pluralism
All views are true!
If all views are true then nothing is true!
98Pluralism
Dr. Norman Geisler
99F. Build your bridge with others on planks of
common understanding, even those they may not
be totally aware of.
Even radical postmodernist cannot deny a
belief in some truth
100 Helping Others to Understand The Truth About
Postmodernism?
- Postmodernism is self-defeating
The statement that all beliefs and knowledge
claims are merely social constructs and therefore
not real, is a statement about reality and
therefore it is self-defeating.
101G. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom in our witness
with others (James 15).
102The challenge that lies ahead for us
- the challenge lies before us to reach a
generation that hears with its eyes and thinks
with its feelings. - Paul Copan, True for You But Not For Me, p. 155
103Challenges to Evangelism In a Post-Modern World
(An Overview)
- Intro Witnessing today is more difficult
- I. Our Changing World and Its Impact on
Christians - II. Understanding Post-Modern Influences and Why
Our Christian Foundations Are Being Eroded Away. - III. The Implications of Post-Modern Thought On
Our Witness to Post-Moderns - Things to keep in mind in our witness to
post-moderns - Specific Tips In Speaking The Truth of Christ To
Our Post-Modern Generation
104Challenges to Evangelism In A Post-Modern World
www.MeeknessAndTruth.org
105Implications of Postmodern Thought in their own
words
- Jacques Derrida
- Jean-Francois Lyotard
- Michel Foucault
- Richard Rorty
106Postmodernism
Postmodernism- a world in which truth is
socially constructed. In the postmodern view,
there is no longer a single story, a
metanarrative (i.e., worldview) that holds
Western culture together. With postmodernism, no
metanarrative can have more credibility than any
other. All stories are equally valid.
I define postmodern as incredulity toward
meta-narratives, Jean-François Lyotard, The
Postmodern Condition A Report on Knowledge,
1984, xxiv
107- History is fiction. History is written from
the bias of the writers culture, race or
gender. What is called historic is wholly
subjective. (Michel Foucault)
Art Lindsley, C.S. Lewiss Case for Christ
(Illinois InterVarsity Press, 2005)
108- Knowledge is power. We must be suspicious of
anyone who claims to give us truth. They are
only out to further their own (and their
groups) vested interests. -
- (Michel Foucault)
Art Lindsley, C.S. Lewiss Case for Christ
(Illinois InterVarsity Press, 2005)
109- Ethical claims are mere sentiments. We cannot
call anything right or wrong. For example,
there are no neutral grounds on which to
condemn the Holocaust. -
- (Richard Rorty)
Art Lindsley, C.S. Lewiss Case for Christ
(Illinois InterVarsity Press, 2005)
110- Deconstruction is justice. We must ferret out
the contradictions in every piece of literature
so that we can uphold justice and avoid
injustice. (Jacques Derrida)
Art Lindsley, C.S. Lewiss Case for Christ
(Illinois InterVarsity Press, 2005)
111- Postmodernism is really better referred to as a
mood as opposed to a worldview as worldview is
the one thing that Postmodernism denies