for September 2004

Do you know the song called “I have decided to follow Jesus”? I know eight people from Liberty Christian Fellowship and our KFBCSF youth group who will be living out the words to this song. They have decided to follow Jesus in baptism. Arnold, Steve, Richard, Hana, Annie, David, Janet, and Andy are preparing to be baptized this coming Saturday (September 18th) at Prayer Mountain in Scotts Valley. They are taking the plunge for Jesus. If you would like to join us on our overnight retreat and witness this baptism, the information is posted at our web site: www.libertysf.org.

Water baptism is one of the ways that new believers first show that they have been joined to Jesus. This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment. Have you decided to follow Jesus? Baptism demonstrates the change that He has brought about in your life. If you have heard Christ's call - and if you have chosen to follow Him - then He expects you to follow Him in baptism.

The PostModern Reformation

About 500 years ago Martin Luther changed the course of history when he nailed his ninety-five theses to the wooden doors of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther was “protesting” abuses prevalent in the Roman Church of his day. His bold act marked the unofficial beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

The reason we exist as Liberty Christian Fellowship [… indeed, the reason you are reading this newsletter] can be traced back in some measure to that seminal event.

Today there is another “reformation” going on in our churches. This is the postmodern reformation. In both subtle and distinct ways, postmodernism is reforming and deforming Christian practice. It has permeated American life, becoming a part of our schools, our government, and even our own way of thinking.

I’m going to give you two technical definitions of post-modernism. Don’t wince. The terms are difficult, but then so is the philosophy. Warning, you might have to read these definitions twice.

1. Postmodernism is “the pre-commitment to relativism or pluralism in relation to questions of truth”.
2. Postmodernism “represents a situation in which the signifier (or signifying) has replaced the signified as the focus of orientation and value”.

So what does this mean to you? Have you ever talked to an unbeliever about your faith and received this kind of response.? “I am a very spiritual person. I think that all religions lead to the same God. Islam, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist … it’s all the same thing.” Can you see in this person’s attitude the postmodern relationship to questions of truth. The responder has a pre-commitment to pluralism.

How about this? Maybe you have asked an unbeliever, “and what does this scripture passage mean?” The response may be: “It means this to me (yada, yada, yada), but I accept it may mean something different to you.” Can you understand that the signifier (the reader) has replaced the signified (the text) as the focus of orientation and value? This is diagnostic of postmodernism.

Perhaps you are a tad sympathetic with the unbeliever’s positions. You may be more postmodern than you think. Take out a pencil and mark the 12 statements below. Mark an “A” for “agree” next to statements that best reflect your true self. (or is it real self ?)

1. When two sides are debating a moral issue, I try to find common ground between the two.
2. It is all in the eye of the viewer or listener; a matter of taste.
3. The truth for me is no different than the truth for you.
4. We must transform the Gospel to match the context of modern society.
5. I sometimes tell people, “you live your life and I'll live mine”.
6. I agree that we should “think globally and act locally”.
7. I find it difficult to say to others “Jesus is the only way to heaven and no one comes to God except through Jesus”.
8. I think that it is more important to be true than to be real.
9. If you looked around my house for medicine, you would find a significant amount of alternative / eastern medicine.
10. If I am stuck in a waiting room, I would rather watch a re-run of Sixty Minutes than a rerun of Seinfeld.
11. I prefer to listen to the opinions of several common people, rather than the opinion of one or two experts.
12. I feel good about myself in situations where I am required to dress up as opposed to dress down.

Statements 3, 8, 10, and 12 reflect a “modern” way of thinking. The rest are postmodern. How did you do?

Now don’t get me wrong. Postmodernism does not equal wrong and modernism does not equal right. Communism and Nazism are thoroughly modern inventions. The fact is that neither modernism nor postmodernism equals true Christianity. And this will be the gist for my “sermon mill” over the next three Sundays. Join us at Liberty Christian Fellowship on September 19, September 26, and October 3, as we deal with “The Spirit of our Age”: a look into the pervasiveness, problems, and opportunities presented to Christians by postmodernism.

Quick notes: On October 24, Liberty Christian Fellowship will celebrate its one year anniversary. Please come.

On October 31st (a Sunday this year), we will host an alternative to Halloween called “Hallelujah” evening. Grown-ups as well as kids are invited to costume up.