What Peter said to his reader is also true for all today. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9). Luke’s record of the great commission says, “Thus, it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness f sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem,” (24:46-47). Each Christian has the responsibility to carry out that great commission. As an 80-year-old, I’ve seen a great change in the way people think and how they make decisions as compared to when I was younger. What we live in now is called “The Postmodern Age.”
A Brief History of Worldviews
Scholars who deal with culture and how people reason, think and make decisions have broken people’s worldview into three time periods if time: (1) Pre-modern which began before the birth of Christ and lasted until about the time of the French Revolution (1789); (2) Modernism which last from about the time of the French Revolution until 1989 (about the time the Berlin Wall fell; (3) Postmodernism which began about 1989 and will last until the general population’s mindset changes again.
During the Pre-modernism timeframe, people believe God is truth and therefore He was the authority. During the Modernism timeframe, people came to believe that science proved truth and so man’s accomplishments through science became the authority. In our Postmodern timeframe, people have come to believe that there is no absolute truth so that whatever an individual thinks is truth, is truth to him or her, no matter if it is contrary to anyone else’s view of truth. Basically, everyone is a law unto himself, and it is based on the way he feels.
This kind of mindset presents a challenge to those who strive to bring postmodernist people to repentance and salvation. How do we do that? Generally speaking, these people do not believe in absolutes in religion or morals, therefore they make decisions based on their feelings not logic.
Characteristics of Postmodernist
Here are some general characteristics of postmodernists. Of course, this list is not complete nor will it apply to all postmodernists: (1) They do not want to be part of “organized religion” therefore, they are leaving churches, (2) They are not becoming atheists, they just want to have their own form of spirituality, (3) They like being part of small groups who think as they think, (4) They want something that is practical and relevant. When we stop to think about it, Christianity and the New Testament church offers all of the ideas postmodernists desire. (We have to show them that the church is different from what they have found in denominationalism and that the church is a small family).
Suggestions for Winning Postmodernist
First, we must be patient in converting them. People who make decisions based on logic can make a quick decision because their mind comes to a logical decision. They examine the facts and make a decision based on those facts. Not so with the postmodernist. He or she makes decisions based on feelings and it takes longer for one’s feelings to be changed. People see things intellectually more quickly than emotionally. Years ago, one could be converted within two or three study sessions.
Second, build relationships. It is going to take time to have an influence on them. They want close friends, but sometimes are hesitant to get “too close too quickly.” They must see that we genuinely want to become friends with them. They do not want to be seen as our “Project 101 in Personal Evangelism.” Several passages come to mind when thinking about this idea. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16). “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,” (Proverbs 27:9-10).
Third, live Christianity before them. They want to see Christianity before they are taught about Christianity. As we live the Christian life in front of them, they will take notice. They will see how we handle disappointments and grief. They will see how our families’ functions and how we demonstrate Christianity in our communities.
Fourth, show them that the Bible is practical. As we have opportunity to discuss the Bible with them, let’s point out that the Bible tells people how-to live-in society. We can show them what the Bible says about marriage and how a family ought to function. We can show them passages about the employer and employee relationship. We can show them that the Bible tells us how to develop our character as we develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).
Fifth, introduce them to small groups of Christians. They like being part of a small group. Maybe you can invite them to a block party or to be part of your sports team. Invite them to attend a small group Bible study. Many of these people are not against God and spirituality nor against the Bible. They would enjoy a small group that gets together to study the Bible.
Sixth, since they want to “feel” God, show them they can get to know God. We need to help them see that one can have a personal relationship with God. We do this by speaking about God working in our lives. Hopefully, as they see our relationship with God, we can show them how they can know God, (John 17:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).
Show them that the New Testament church meets people’s needs. We need to help them see that the church meets not only our spiritual needs, but our physical and emotional needs. They need to see us involved in church activities. As we have opportunity show them several scriptures about Christian activity. “All those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,” (Acts 2:44-46).
Conclusion
Remember, even though our postmodernist friends think differently, they are made in the image of God just as we are. Christ died for them just like He died for us. The New Testament Christians also faced a culture that was different from the Christian culture, but they were able to convert them to Christ. We can also. The power is not in us, but in the gospel. “We need to meet people where they are so that the gospel can change who they are,” (Dean Meadows).