Understanding Postmodernism: The Dangerous Rejection of Absolute Truth

Postmodernism fundamentally challenges how humanity perceives truth, reality, and spiritual authority. This worldview has permeated every aspect of contemporary culture, leaving many Christians uncertain how to respond. Understanding postmodernism is essential for believers seeking to defend their faith and recognise how this ideology undermines Christian doctrine.

The Origins and Nature of Postmodernism

Rising to prominence in the 1960s, postmodernism affirms no absolute truth, especially in spirituality. It is humanity's futile attempt to understand life without God's revelation. Traditional biblical concepts of truth are discarded in favour of individual freedom to choose one's own values, with skepticism systematically destroying all certainty.

God's standards are to be obeyed, not ignored

Ideas are debated without an authoritative "Thus says the Lord" on essential doctrines—the inspiration of Scripture, the exclusivity of Christ, His Lordship, and the true gospel. It is "everyone doing what is right in their own eyes" by rejecting the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith (Jdg 17:6; Prov 12:15, 21:2).

Even in New Testament times, the epistles combatted doctrinal errors creeping into churches. This postmodern approach is rebellion against divine revelation, elevating human reason above God's Word and adopting pluralism—claiming no faith can be called true and another false.

The Incompatibility with Biblical Christianity

Absolute truth does exist, and consequences follow believing what is wrong. Postmodernism's elements—God no longer central, man at the centre, no absolutes—closely resemble the New Age Movement, where feeling and opinion are paramount. Such belief is opposed to biblical Christianity.

Absolute truth does exist—it's found in Jesus

Rationality is not condemned in Scripture; truth can be analysed and compared without being diminished. Faith is not irrational—believers should employ clear, logical thinking within Scriptural boundaries.

Consequently, corruption, compromise and New Age ideas have emerged, crediting humans rather than God with creating and improving their environment through science and technology. Personal experience is valued above reason, truth becomes relative, yet the mistaken view persists that all 'good' people enter heaven.

Some claim to be Christian, having 'a form of godliness', yet deny fundamentals of the faith. They are deceived, and unless they repent and accept Christ, they will perish—making shipwreck of their faith as they turn to worthless myths (Jer 7:23; 1 Tim 1:18-19; 2 Tim 4:4).

Postmodernism and Relativism: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Relativism holds that truth, morality, and meaning depend on individual perception or cultural context rather than absolute standards. Postmodernism extends this claim into a broad rejection of all authority, including God's Word. Both deny that truth can be known with certainty, elevate human experience above divine revelation, and insist no worldview—least of all Christianity—can claim universal validity.

Relativism says truth changes; God says truth endures forever

Scripture confronts this directly. Jesus declared, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (Jn 8:32)—not "your truth." The psalmist wrote, "The sum of your word is truth" (Ps 119:160). Biblical truth is fixed and eternal, grounded in God's unchanging character. When truth becomes relative, morality collapses, justice loses meaning, and the gospel itself is emptied of power. Paul warned of people "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim 3:7).

Resisting postmodernism requires resisting relativism entirely. The Bible calls us to "speak the truth in love" (Eph 4:15), confident that God's truth does not waver with culture or opinion. It is anchored in Christ, who is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb 13:8).

The Consequences of Rejecting Divine Truth

Jesus warned—not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter heaven, but only those who do His will (Mt 7:21-27). Scripture advises us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). Our eternal destiny is at stake.

Rejecting truth leads to deception, error, then heresy—teaching what contradicts sound doctrine. "The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine... They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths", exchanging God's truth for a lie (Rom 1:25; 2 Tim 4:3). We will be judged by the truth, not by our interpretation of it.

Man doesn't have the right to formulate his own beliefs

Church leaders, guardians of truth, face greater penalty if they misrepresent Scripture and lead people astray (Mt 5:19; Jas 3:1). Israel was instructed not to add to or subtract from God's commands, only to obey them (Deut 4:1-2, 12:32). Revelation closes with a similar warning (Rev 22:18-19).

Jesus said, "False prophets will appear and deceive many" (Mt 24:11). Diluting God's Word is serious—people's eternal destiny is at stake. Each believer must live and share God's Word, for "corrupt teaching will spread like gangrene" (2 Tim 2:15-17).

Paul urged, "Keep as a pattern of sound teaching what you have heard from me" (2 Tim 1:13). Without clear guidelines humanity goes its own way, but Scripture says, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil" (Prov 3:7, 16:2).

Being free of restraint is not true freedom. We need boundaries and guidelines; otherwise confusion encourages doubt and disregard of borders established for our protection. We should submit to godly leaders, yet recognise they are not infallible. Our hearts must remain open and responsive to the Holy Spirit.

It is not our right to choose what we believe; rather, our responsibility to obey. When we know the truth, we must walk in it. We will be judged by how we have lived in relation to the Word, which judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Jn 12:48; Heb 4:12). Whatever undermines the Bible's authority is not of God.

The Bible is God's instruction manual which, with the Holy Spirit's help, leads us into all truth. To experience heaven it must be read and obeyed. God's Word remains constant—its message and values never change.

Christ as the Only Truth in a Pluralistic World

Postmodernism's rejection of absolute truth causes many to reject the Bible. Christians believe God is the only source of absolute spiritual truth. Jesus proclaimed Himself the Truth: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6).

The Bible, not human ideas, is to be our guide

Postmodernists deny both Christ's claim to be the truth and His statement that He is the only way to heaven. Christianity is ridiculed as arrogant or intolerant by those claiming 'many paths to heaven'. This view—that all religions are equally valid—is called pluralism.

In postmodernism, all religion, including Christianity, is reduced to opinion. Christianity asserts it is unique and that it does matter what we believe, claiming sin exists and has serious consequences.

Reflection and Application:

How has postmodern thinking influenced your approach to truth and authority?
What practical steps can you take to ground yourself more firmly in Scripture?
How can you lovingly yet clearly communicate the exclusivity of Christ to those embracing pluralism?
Which areas of your life need to come under God's Word rather than personal opinion or cultural trends?