Why is postmodernism a more popular view than Christianity? Postmodernism bucks the system. It is the rebel of worldviews, if you can even call it a worldview. In this age of the emergence of the anti-hero, postmodernism is the ultimate anti-hero. It is the robin hood of worldviews because it seeks to dethrone other worldviews through it's antics that make Christianity and others look rigid, demeaning, and judgmental.
It tugs at the heart of students who are seeking an identity that is different from their past, parents, or region. It entices the student who is seeking an identity for the first time in his or her life. Follow me and be your own person, make your own rules. It takes students from a place of structure, truth, and understanding to a place of uncertainty, "freedom," and self-indulgence. Unfortunately for the student, once he or she follows the way of postmodernism, vision is lost and uncontrollable spiral to nowhere begins.
Dr. Drum tells us that postmodernism is a rearview mirror. It cannot show you where to go. It is only a critique of those that can. Postmodernism is the old men at the barber shop discussing the economy. Their complaints are valid, but they have no real solutions. Unfortunately, Christians have fueled the validity of postmodernism just as much as, if not more than, those who developed the view. Christians do portray faith in Christ as legalistic and a list of do's and don'ts. We are judgmental and exclusive.
So what is our response? How do we show college students that postmodernism is a one way ticket to nothing and Christianity provides true freedom? We get out of our cliques. Stop surrounding ourselves with people that look, act, eat, smell, and think like us. We befriend homosexuals instead of just metrosexuals. We do community with someone else besides just our Christian brothers and sisters. Live the Gospel on the campus without reserve. Yeah...these are generic answers, but I don't know what that looks like for the college minister in Oregon in comparison with the campus minister in Tennessee. Following Christ must reveal true freedom to our postmodern friends who are living in slavery to...well...nothing.
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