Interesting post by Dr. Gene Veith today on his blog. He has been making the case lately that already post-modernism is dying or dead and is being replaced with something else. I tend to agree with him as I don't know that post-modern thinking (everything is relative, no such thing as truth, etc.) can actually last outside of an essay by a bored philosopher looking for attention.
I think many in the culture would like things to be post-modern with its emphasis on supposed tolerance and acceptance of all cultural values. But when push comes to shove, the position betrays itself. It is impossible for those who espouse open ended tolerance and acceptance to be tolerant and accepting of those who are not tolerant and accepting.
So the result is what one of Dr. Veith's readers suggested as a title for what's going on now: Reconstructionism. In post-modernism, everything that we have held as true and valuable has been deconstructed and crushed. Marriage is redefined; Fetuses are not really babies; Gender? What's gender? ("Two genders? How 19th century, try something more like 6 you neanderthal!" The substance of this was a real statement from a real college professor at a real university).
Now it's time to rebuild what we have destroyed, but in the image that we want it to be. I could go on and on, but please read more at Veith's blog and comment about it here.
2 comments:
Whatever we name it, this "Reconstructionism" again highlights the effect of building apart from the foundation that is Christ...
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Matthew 7:24-27 (Jesus speaking)
...do not be worried about the structures of this world that will collapse - so much so that the Lord might use you to run in and rescue His children who would otherwise perish. To this end, a "floorplan" (such as this "Reconstructionism" discussion) might come in handy!
I thought that one of the commenters from Veith's Blog was insightful. He/she said, "This is an example of how error creeps into churches and other institutions. First, it asks only to be tolerated. Then, when tolerated, it seeks equal footing. Then, when this is gained, it seeks to eliminate the truth. It is a slow and deadly progression, and can be traced in any number of areas."
Error creeping in is the result of the Scriptures being pushed out. If we are remaining faithful to the authority of Scripture I believe we won't see this problem.
Thanks for your post Ben. Its good to see you on here again brother.
-Tony
Post a Comment