Challenges to Evangelism In A Post-Modern World

Challenges to Evangelism In A Post-Modern World

The Challenges of Evangelism Today

Problems 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 For example, Cultural anthropologist Gene Veith make the important point that: “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 Ask: How many people here have friends that would fit in that category who think like this? Consequently evangelism becomes much more difficult than it ever has been.

Obstacles 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 The obstacles we face in doing evangelism today are greater than ever before because, We live in a world that is characterized by 3 things…(read slide) You may think “I agree with you…that these are problems” but these are problems in the west right? We don’t have these kinds of problems here in the east right?

Signs 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.” One of Dave’s former students is a college director of a church here in Singapore. They were witnessing on campus to one of the students, and they ran into some problems. Listen to what she said…

Signs 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 And then she said something that took me by surprise. Shed said that…(read slide) The problem is if these are problems we are facing on our college campus in Singapore, what is going to happen when these same problems surface in 5-10 years in the church? Illustration: Conversation with ex-president of Navigators…he agreed the churches are going to inherit these problems if they are not dealt with today.

Read slide. For us as Christians to claim that Jesus is the way the truth and the life sounds what?...arrogant and intolerant! (This tells me that post-modern thinking has permeated the whole of Asia.) There is an intolerance towards those who say there is a bridge they must cross!

Our Problems In Evangelism Are Just the Tip Of the Iceberg

Our Problems in Evangelism Are Symptoms…Of An Even Greater Problem!
“As we approach the twenty-first century, It doesn’t 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

A. Evidence of the World’s 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

Evidence of the World’s 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.”

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 3:16, and 6 out of 10 knew the meaning of the term “the gospel.” George Barna, Evangelism that Works, 1995, p.37

A Misunderstanding Of What is Involved in Biblical Faith
“About one out of four (26%) born again Christians believe that it doesn’t matter what faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons.” Born Again Christians, 2000, George Barna, Barna Web-site

What is her misunderstanding concerning Biblical Faith?
Student, University of Texas at Austin What is her misunderstanding concerning Biblical Faith? Let’s take a look at the benefit of self-discovery (show clip) From the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding (The video clip we use is the scene in the restaurant where papa comes up with the solution to the problems the ladies raised about the work situation)

Christianity is Based on a Historical Event
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” I Corinthians 15:14 (NIV) * Biblical faith must have an object to be valid.

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

B. 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

Implications For The Church
"When a majority of Christian adults…as 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

II. Understanding Post-Modern Influences and Why Our Christian Foundations Are Being Eroded Away
How Did the Church Fall Into This Crisis?

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do.”
Psalm 11:3

A 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 J P Moreland in his book Love Your God with All Your Mind says it this way… (read slide) We now live in a post-modern world. And because of that this is creating problems for us in the whole area of evangelism.

The Tsunami of Post-Modernism
The problem is… The tsunami of post-modernism is blowing from the west to the east and has begun to impact our shores here. Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, says “you are living in a time when the west is looking more like the east, and the east is quietly imitating the west.” Let me give you an example of this…(go to next slide) The Tsunami of Post-Modernism

II. Understanding Post-Modern Influences…and 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)

Changing Beliefs Concerning God
Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs Concerning God 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern 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.

Changing Beliefs - Theism
Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs - Theism 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern THEISM THEISM GOD COSMOS

Changing Beliefs - Deism
Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs - Deism 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern THEISM THEISM Deism GOD GOD COSMOS COSMOS

Changing Beliefs - Atheism
Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs - Atheism 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern THEISM ATHEISM THEISM Deism NATURALISM GOD GOD GOD COSMOS COSMOS COSMOS SOCIETY .

1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern THEISM ATHEISM THEISM Deism NATURALISM Nihilism GOD GOD GOD COSMOS COSMOS COSMOS SOCIETY

Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs - Atheism 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern THEISM ATHEISM THEISM Deism NATURALISM Nihilism EXISTENTIALISM GOD GOD GOD COSMOS COSMOS COSMOS SOCIETY

1). 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

Changing Beliefs - Pluralism
Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs - Pluralism 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century THEISM ATHEISM PLURALISM Theism Deism Naturalism Nihilism Existentialism Fill in the blank GOD COSMOS Postmodernism Weak Theism New Age: Pantheism, Monism Bottom line: “What works for you.” Pre-modern Modern Postmodern SOCIETY

II. 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

Religious Pluralism Is the belief that all religions are true.
(They all have a part of the truth)

JUDAISM HINDUISM ISLAM TAOISM CHRISTIANITY BUDDHISM
RELIGIONS JUDAISM HINDUISM ISLAM TAOISM CHRISTIANITY BUDDHISM

II. 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

C. Understanding Post-Modernism and its impact
* What is Postmodernism? A. Main Characteristics 1. In general it is a rejection of anything modern

Changing Beliefs - Pluralism
Historical Development of Western World Views Changing Beliefs - Pluralism 1st Century th Century th Century th-20th Century th Century Late 21st Century Pre-modern Modern Postmodern 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 man’s problems GOD GOD GOD COSMOS COSMOS COSMOS (Ps. 19:1) The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 53:1) The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Judges 17:6) In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.

A. Main Characteristics
2. It is a belief in the Incredulity of meta-narratives

Postmodernism “I define postmodern as incredulity toward meta-narratives,” Jean-François Lyotard, The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge, 1984, xxiv

A. Main Characteristics
What is Postmodernism? A. Main Characteristics 3. It’s a total rejection of the idea of absolute truth…in favor of mere cultural relativism * What are the characteristics of relativism from a postmodern perspective?

* 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.

What is Postmodernism? 1. In general it is a rejection of anything modern 2. It is a belief in the Incredulity of meta-narratives 3. It’s a total rejection of the idea of absolute truth…in 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.

Beliefs 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.”

“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 man’s 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?

* What is Postmodernism? Main Characteristics A Biblical response to its more extreme form

* 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 prophet’s 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 1:20-21 NIV

* 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. 1:18 NIV)

III. 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.”

This Explains Why Many Are Questioning The Biblical Story of Jesus
The Da Vinci Code The Lost Gospel of Judas The Lost Tomb of Christ

The 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.

Challenges 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?

IV. 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 12:32). So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

IV. 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… So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

Remember that… Our belief in truth and absolutes goes against the post-modern grain. * Work out issues with people on their own time table. * Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know the answer to question your friends raise. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

Remember that… C. In order to speak to this postmodern generation we need to intentionally communicate by the appropriate use of questions, illustrations, and stories. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

The 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 Pollard’s book, Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult, p. 70

Remember 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. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

We 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. 22:37

A 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

Remember 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. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

Head 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, who’s advice should you take. Wouldn’t you take the advice of someone who’s been to the other side and come back to tell us about it? Questions to ask someone who may consider all religious leaders to have equal validity.

Head 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. 2:13) Questions to ask someone who may consider all religious leaders to have equal validity.

Remember 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. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

Remember 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 Understanding their perspective will give you further understanding how to answer the question and relate it back to their WV.

Some 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. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

Some 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. So the question is… “How can we do more effective evangelism in this kind of world!?” The answer is…(read the slide)

heart head “People are more creatures than creatures.” Remember that…
Dave Montoya, Dealing With Both Minds and Hearts: Answering the Questions Behind the Questions, located on Meekness web-site

Remember 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.

Remember that… Remember that:
G. To have a greater impact on others don’t underestimate the witness of the Christian community and the emphasis on the spiritual.

“Now before we get into this ‘pre-evangelism’ model, it is critical that we explain the vital the important role of the Holy Spirit in the evangelism process. The Holy Spirit helps to empower us to make a difference in people’s lives.

Remember that… Remember that:
H. Don’t forget to witness to others in the power of the of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Jn. 6:65) .

Remember we are just the instrument!
“God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1Corinthians 1:27b (NIV)

IV. Specific Tips In Speaking The Truth of
IV. Specific Tips In Speaking The Truth of Christ To Our Post-Modern Generation A. Use thought provoking questions to create interest in others in hearing about Jesus First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

Why Can’t 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 Now some may ask why do we need to allow others to discover the truth for themselves. It this really necessary? The fact is we live in a world… Once we do this we can help them take steps toward Christ

The joy of self-discovery
* Conversation with our former nanny “How do you fit Jesus into your Buddhist beliefs?”

Why 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 conclusion—because it’s a conclusion that he reached himself.” David Reed Baker, Jehovah’s Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1986) p. 113

B. Learn the art of asking questions with the three D’s in mind
First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

How do I know if I am asking the right kind of questions in the right way?
Ask…Am 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! We also want to ask questions with three objectives in mind in asking questions: We want to ask questions that surface….

C. Determine if there is. any possible question. and or issues behind
C. Determine if there is any possible question and or issues behind the questions that are raised (Mark 12:18-27). First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

Go Below The Surface “Proverbs 20:5 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 people’s 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 Sometimes we need to go below the surface. Proverbs 20:5 says, the (unseen) purpose…

Jesus was a Mastered In Getting Below The Surface
In Mark 12:18-27 when the Sadducees asks Jesus a hypothetical question about who will be the wife’s husband at the resurrection, (since all seven brothers were at one time married to her but all died but didn’t leave any children), : Jesus knew that their real question or concerned had to deal with the issue of the resurrection of the dead.

Jesus was a Mastered In Getting Below The Surface
Jesus’ response: “Now about the dead rising—have 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 12:26-27 (N.I.V.) Jesus points to a passage in the Pentateuch (which they did accept) Ex. 3:6 which supports the position that there is a resurrection.

Example: “How can you claim that there is only one way to God?

“How 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.

D. Learn how to more effectively communicate the truth of the Christian message by the appropriate use of illustrations and or stories. First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

Example 1 (Student with Hindu background)
“Why aren’t 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 God’s holiness.

A 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)

Common 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)

E. Find common agreement even in your disagreement with those you are trying to reach (Acts 17:22).

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 1:20; 2:14-15

Find 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 17:22) The apostle Paul said “To the weak…”

Learn 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 Now some may ask why do we need to allow others to discover the truth for themselves. It this really necessary? The fact is we live in a world… Once we do this we can help them take steps toward Christ

I believe that all religions are true!
E. Find common agreement even in your disagreement with those you are trying to reach (Acts 17:22). I believe that all religions are true! First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

F. Build your bridge with. others using planks of. common
F. Build your bridge with others using planks of common understanding, even those they may not be totally aware of. First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

Build Your Bridge Using Planks Of Common Understanding
We do this by build using Planks of Common Understanding Build Your Bridge Using Planks Of Common Understanding

F. Build your bridge with. others on planks of. common
F. Build your bridge with others on planks of common understanding, even those they may not be totally aware of. * The problem with pluralism First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

Pluralism All views are true! If all views are true
then nothing is true!

Pluralism Dr. Norman Geisler

F. Build your bridge with. others on planks of. common
F. 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 First, lets talk about questions that clarify the meaning of unclear terms.

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.

G. Ask the Holy Spirit for. wisdom in our witness. with others (James

The 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

Challenges 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

Challenges to Evangelism In A Post-Modern World

Jacques Derrida Jean-Francois Lyotard Michel Foucault Richard Rorty
Implications of Postmodern Thought in their own words Jacques Derrida Jean-Francois Lyotard Michel Foucault Richard Rorty

Postmodernism 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

History is fiction. History is written
History is fiction. History is written from the bias of the writer’s culture, race or gender. What is called “historic” is wholly subjective. (Michel Foucault) Art Lindsley, C.S. Lewis’s Case for Christ (Illinois; InterVarsity Press, 2005) 06/04/2019

Knowledge is power. We must be. suspicious of anyone who claims to
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 group’s) vested interests. (Michel Foucault) Art Lindsley, C.S. Lewis’s Case for Christ (Illinois; InterVarsity Press, 2005) 06/04/2019

Ethical claims are mere sentiments. We cannot call anything right or
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. Lewis’s Case for Christ (Illinois; InterVarsity Press, 2005)

Deconstruction is justice. We must. ferret out the contradictions in
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. Lewis’s Case for Christ (Illinois; InterVarsity Press, 2005) 06/04/2019

Postmodernism is really better referred to as a “mood” as opposed to a worldview as worldview is the one thing that Postmodernism denies

Challenges to Evangelism In A Post-Modern World

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