As we know the Emerging Church is postmodern. The postmodern and Emergent view of truth is incompatible with a Christian worldview. Postmodernists have not claimed to be seekers of truth and found it but seekers of truth who question it and cannot attain it through logic or rationality. Postmodernism may be characterized by the rejection of objective truth (relativism), rejection of exclusive truth (pluralism). To them, truth is subjective and therefore relative. Postmodernists know it is true that we cannot know truth. This irrational mode of thinking is inconsistent with itself. They refute themselves by claiming they know that we cannot know absolute truth. If it’s not absolute, it’s obsolete.
Now, we have the world’s first Emergent Postmodern Pope. Consistent with previous public statements about God not judging homosexuals, and atheists going to heaven, Pope Francis has stirred debate once again with his postmodern worldview according to the following report:
Pope Francis cranked up his charm offensive on the world outside the Vatican on Tuesday, saying in the second widely shared media interview in two weeks that each person “must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them” and calling efforts to convert people to Christianity “solemn nonsense.”
The Vatican’s head seemed intent on distancing himself from its power, saying church leaders “have often been narcissists” and “clericalism should not have anything to do with Christianity.” . . .
Asked if there is a single vision of good, and who decides, Francis says:
“Each of us has a vision of good and of evil. We have to encourage people to move towards what they think is good . . . Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place.” (source)
The Bible tells us, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits” (Proverbs 16:2) and “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). The Pope’s comments are most certainly relativistic, pluralistic and postmodern. “True for you, but not true for me.” But by definition, truth is the quality or state of being true regardless of a person’s perspective. Truth is that which is true. Truth is fact that is accepted as true and corresponds to reality. The Bible tells us that ultimate truth is found in Jesus Christ.
Chris Ruddy, a Catholic theologian responded to the Pope’s postmodern relativism in a relativistic manner saying some may interpret the Pope’s comments that way while others may not. He says:
“What the pope said can be taken a bunch of different ways. And it can certainly be taken in a relativistic way. And I imagine it will be received that way by some people,” Ruddy said. “But I don’t see the pope saying: ‘You have your idea, I have mine and it’s all good.’ I see him saying: ‘We have to respect persons and their search for truth.’ ” (source)
This too is irrational. Postmodernity assumes that objective truth is unknowable. This is incompatible with the bold and clear proclamation that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Pople has bought into this apostate worldview hook, line and sinker.
But Scripture is exclusive by making distinction between believers and unbelievers. The Apostle John couldn’t have been any more exclusive when he said, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). And in his Gospel he writes, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Some consider the statements made by Jesus to His followers too extreme in their exclusivity. This is one perspective. On the other hand, the message of the Gospel is inclusive to all who receive it through an obedient, love, faith relationship with God through Jesus Christ. “He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him” (John 5:23). Jesus Himslef said when sending out His disciples, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (Matthew 10:40).
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