“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hand on these two commandments (Matt 22:37-39).”
Just as Jesus responded to Matthew in the above passage, we as believers are to approach our faith and life with one another in a similar fashion. However, despite Scripture making clear the commandments by which we are to abide, passages such as this are often skewed, taken out of context, and reinterpreted in a way that is fitting to what we believe life ought to be.
When it comes to love and law in this day and age, it is clear that we live in a postmodern society. We are constantly skeptical of the world around us while still pushing the agenda that love is the most important thing. I would agree with the postmodern in this sense as love is certainly one of the most important aspects of Christianity. However, love in each of these contexts differs greatly from the other.
Regarding postmodernism and its core belief, it says that there are no objective truths and love is at the center of everything. Scripture would say that part of this belief is accurate as we can see that the bible repeatedly commands us to love one another (Luke 6:31-35, Romans 12:9, Mark 12:31, Romans 13:10, 1 Cor 13:4-8, 1 Cor 13:13, Eph 4:2). But overall, Christianity is not postmodernism. In fact, I would argue that not only are these two worldviews completely opposite, but that postmodernism is a completely skewed version of Christianity. In other words, it is possible that postmodern is Christianity according to secularists.
As stated earlier, postmodernism is the belief in which there are no objective truths, skepticism is key, and love is the center of everything. Perhaps the factor that most determines the difference between Christianity and postmodernism is law. Just as Scripture voices its opinion on love, so does it with law. We see this through the various covenants God creates between himself and his people (Gen 3:16-19, Gen 12:1-3, Deut 11, 2 Sam 7:8-16, Jer 31:31-34). In essence, God does not have a relationship with us that includes only love and nothing else. He is a God of love and law. It is becausehe loves us that he must have laws, standards, and practices by which we are to abide.
Overall, postmodernism falls apart in the eyes of Christianity. Sadly, however, we have reached a time in society when postmodern principals are the new gospel. This article is an extremely brief summary of what will remain an ongoing issue. My hope is that all who read this little letter consider the possible notion that postmodernism really does not work in accordance with the Creator’s design.
Lastly, regarding the past few days, we are currently at a turning point in our nation as new powers are taking place. But postmodernists are rejecting the change. Now, they walk a fine line between acceptance and anarchy as they attempt to push their agenda onto others. What I desire for all of these individuals to realize is that no leader is perfect. No one man or woman can possibly live up to the standards the nation will continue to bombard them with as the tide in this ocean of society remains ever changing. I would encourage all of you, no matter belief, religion, worldview, race, social class, sexuality, to stand together (whether in agreement or night) in light of this change. Let us choose support, hope, respectful conversation, and perspective taking. Anarchy is never the answer.
