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Reaching the postmodern generation for Christ
Cheryl L. Gregory
School of Communications, Liberty University
Author Note
Cheryl L. Gregory
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Cheryl L. Gregory
Email: clgregory3@liberty.edu
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Reaching the postmodern generation for Christ
How often in this modern world do Christians fail to reach this generation for Christ?
Some may wonder how is it that this happens. Is this generation that much different from the past
that they cannot be reached? The answer is that they are not unreachable. In fact, this postmodern
generation is in an even greater position to receive the Gospel with the proper approach. To reach
the postmodern world for Christ, Christians must understand the postmodern mindset and adjust
the way that they approach this generation if they are going to convince them to turn to Christ.
To understand this generational mindset, it is important to understand the focus of the
postmodern philosophy. Postmodernism is steeped in pragmatic thought. Pragmatism promotes
the relativity of truth. This epistemological view was thrust on the world’s stage by men such as
Richard Rorty. Rorty believed that truth was relative. John Hinkson and Greg Ganssle’s (n.d., 73)
article, “Epistemology at the Core of Postmodernism: Rorty, Foucault, and the Gospel” posited,
“Rorty’s pragmatism is such that he is not offering a new theory of truth but that he thinks
theories of truth have outlived their usefulness. We ought to direct our attention to more
important matters than truth. The most important is building a liberal society in which the
conversation flourishes.” This postmodern belief that truth is no longer useful greatly changes
the way that Christians must deliver the Gospel message to a postmodern generation. Since those
adhering to this pragmatic view of truth espoused by Rorty not only see truth as relative and to
an extent irrelevant, they will more than likely reject a Gospel message that is driven by an
absolute view of truth. Jesus Christ himself wrapped up the truth of the Gospel in the following
statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.”
(John 14:6, KJV) The “I am” of the Gospel message places Jesus Christ at the center of absolute
truth. Although the thought of convincing someone with this postmodern mindset promoted by
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Rorty appears to be impossible, this shift from truth to “more important matters” espoused by
Rorty’s postmodernism may provide a chink in the otherwise solid armor of postmodernism
providing a way to present the Gospel.
The eschewing of truth which is seen as relative to the acceptance of a liberal mindset of
postmodernism opens a door for the Christian to communicate the Gospel. This liberal view
espoused by Rorty’s postmodernism is focused on ideas being relative. (Hinkson and Ganssle,
n.d.) This relativity of ideas was not linked to any foundation in truth. Instead, they were open to
a societal liberal bias steeped in relativity as identified by the individual. In Rorty’s own words,
“’A liberal society is one which is content to call ‘true’ whatever the upshot of such encounters
turns out to be.’” (Hinkson and Ganssle n.d., 75) Basically, truth is what the individual believes it
to be. To the Christian, this may seem like a difficult mindset to break through, but the relativity
of ideas makes this postmodern mindset ripe and open to an alternate view of truth found in the
Gospel. Although many Christians may see this relativity of truth mindset as a total rejection of
truth, even Rorty did not totally reject truth. (Hinson and Ganssle n.d.)
In summarizing Rorty’s postmodern influence, Hinkson and Ganssle (n.d.) identified one
specific point on relativism that should also be noted. Rorty did not just identify truth as being
just relative. He viewed the search for truth as a fruitless endeavor. At first glance, this point of
summary may indicate that the postmodern generation holding onto this ideal would be
unreachable since they see no use in the search for truth, yet what seems like a challenge is a
great opportunity. Ravi Zacharias (n.d., 28) in his article, “An Ancient Message, Through
Modern Means, to a Postmodern Mind,” identified this meaningless view as an opportunity.
“Meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain, but meaninglessness comes from
being weary of pleasure. We have exhausted ourselves in this indulgent culture.” Therefore,
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those who adhere to this meaningless or fruitless view of truth have exhausted themselves to
where they need to find a way to live their lives. Their search for answers sometimes leaves a
hole in their lives that must be filled. The truth of the Gospel will fill the hole that is created by
the weariness caused by years of relativity, fruitlessness, and meaningless ness. In the worlds of
John 8:32 (KJV), “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This
postmodern generation in their world of relativity may accept the freedom found in the truth—
the truth of Jesus Christ.
Another postmodern focus that Christians need to understand in order to reach this
generation is the removal of God replacing him with a pluralistic view of religion. Friedrich
Nietzsche declared the death of God. This view has changed the way that this world looks at God
and life as a whole. Although some within postmodernism did not follow Nietzshe’s ideas at
first, the removal of God has become more and more commonplace in this world. Zacharias
(n.d., 21) noted that “the idea of God’s nonexistence now either explicitly or implicitly permeates
almost every major discipline in secular universities.” Postmodern ideas of a world without God
have become a part of the postmodern mindset because university students are being
indoctrinated into adopting this mindset. Once God is removed, he replaced with pluralism.
(Zacharias n.d.) Pluralism fails to take into account who Jesus Christ is. This view removes
Christ and replaces him with varied and diverse religious beliefs. Ajith Fernando (n.d.) noted in
his article, “The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ,” that “a key element is pluralism’s understanding of
tolerance and humility. Tolerance has become of the of the most sacred values to the postmodern
mind, and according to the new understanding of tolerance, any claim to possess unique truth is
considered arrogant and intolerant.” This means that Christians need to adjust their way of
presenting the Gospel. First, many within the postmodern movement see Christianity as arrogant
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and intolerant. The certainty of the Gospel and those who proclaim it is quickly rejected by the
postmodern generation as intolerance. When a movement has the understanding that “no religion
can make a claim to absolute uniqueness,” then Christians need to adjust their conversations
about Christ. (Fernando n.d., 123) If Christians were to approach someone with this mindset,
they would be shut down for their lack of tolerance and assumption of truth before they could
present the full message of the Gospel. This postmodern mindset requires a change in approach.
This change in approach is possible, and it can be implemented into the Gospel presentation
without changing the message. The change involves a change in approach and presentation.
First, Christians should begin with a focus on conversation and friendship. Instead of
forcing the message of the Gospel, Christians need to begin with an attitude of friendship
offering care, concern, and conversation. When Christians allow a natural conversation to
develop, that will naturally lead to ideas and beliefs. Fernando (n.d., 124) stated it this way, “We
will converse as friends with them on various topics quite naturally. And in that conversation, we
will also include discussion about our different religious beliefs. If we can affirm common
commitments to issues like family values and ethic harmony, we will do so. If we can affirm
common opposition to such evils as abortion on demand and pornography, we will do so.”
Basically, Christians need to use natural conversation as a way to communicate the Gospel. The
connection of friendship and conversation showing openness on both sides of the conversation
will lead to breaking down the postmodern mindset that religion is intolerant to an open
conversation.
Jesus Christ used this same method of friendship and conversation to reach unbelievers.
An example of this would be the New Testament description of Jesus’ conversation with the
woman at the well. (John 4:6-29, KJV) In this passage, Jesus asked for a simple drink of water
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which led to a conversation about worship and how Jesus was going to change this. The passage
states, “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou are a prophet. Our fathers
worshipped in this mountain; and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to
worship. Jesus saith undo her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this
mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what
we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4: 19-22, KJV) This back and forth conversation
between Jesus and this woman led to her acceptance of the Gospel. Not only did she accept the
Gospel promise, but she also went to all who she knew and told them. By following this example
of Jesus Christ, Christians will be able to reach those with a postmodern pluralistic religious
view.
Beyond individual conversation and friendship, Christians need to offer hope and
community to a postmodern world. Today’s postmodern generation has stepped away from the
individuality of previous generations. (Gaughier n.d.) Instead, they are seeking a sense of
community—a community that can be found in the local church. Churches are commanded to be
that community—to reach out to this world. I Peter 2:9-10 (KJV) clearly illustrates this point:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” The command is clear to reach out to this world—to
provide that community. The question, however, that needs to be addressed is What is the church
for a postmodern world? The church can and should be more than just a group of people who
meet weekly for preaching, worshiping, and fellowship. To reach this world, the church needs to
go beyond the four walls of the church building. This may mean other ministries that meet at
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colleges and universities in the area or Bible studies. Phillip D. Jensen and Tony Payne (n.d.,
201) promote this extended reach as the purpose of the church: “Any gathering in which that
[preaching to God’s people] takes place is a Christian gathering (or church). When you have an
Intervarsity cell group that meets together weekly, reads the Bible, prays, and evangelizes their
friends, cares for each other, and encourages each other, in what sense is it not a Christian
church?” They are right. The church is more than just a service on Sunday. The church must
reach into its community. This generation is starving for a sense of community that the church
can bring. Jimmy Long (n.d., 325) in his article, “Generating Hope: A strategy for reaching the
postmodern generation” identified a shift in postmodernism that he called “a shift of focus from
the autonomous self to tribalism.” Since this generation desires, and even seeks out, this sense of
community, it is the job of Christians to provide it. Christians and churches need to reach out and
provide a place of belonging. Creating this community is key. To be effective and reach this
generation the community must provide hope, love, belongingness, and service. (Fernando, n.d.;
Smith, n.d.)
Providing hope is key to reaching this world. The emphasis on the relativity of truth of
pragmatism and the despair and meaninglessness of this movement have caused this generation
to lose hope. Long (n.d., 327) notes that the postmodernism holds “a pervasive sense of despair.
People are crying out for help and are hoping that there is more to life than what they are
presently experiencing.” Christianity must reach this generation and give them the hope found in
the Word of God. “Now the god of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may
abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13, KJV) The sharing of this
hope in Christ starts when Christians share how Christ brought hope into their own lives.
Christians need to remember, however, that to share their own story of hope, they must be
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willing to listen to the stories of others. At times, this may be difficult. Long (n.d., 328) reminds
Christians that “if we are going to work within a postmodern culture, we can’t be shocked . . . .
we need people who will listen and allow people to share their stories.” To reach this world,
Christians must not only share the hope found in Christ Jesus, but they must be willing to listen
to the heartbreaking stories of these unbelievers. Sadly, this generation is reaching out—they are
searching for hope only to be rejected by the only people who can share the true hope found in
Christ. Christians cannot be afraid to share their own stories of hope found in Christ, but they
also must listen to the stories of the many hurting people in an effort to reach them for Christ.
To reach the postmodern world, Christians must remember to show the love of Christ.
Throughout the New Testament, Christians are commanded to love others. “A new
commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love
one another.” (John 13:34, KJV) This is not a suggestion—but a command. The fact is that more
than any other time in this world, it is so important to show true love for the unbeliever. This
generation is searching for a place of belonging, but more than this, they are searching for a
place to feel love. Christians cannot reason their way into sharing the Gospel. Love is the key.
Long (n.d., 328) reminds his readers that “a loving Christian community is the beginning context
of an effective ministry in a postmodern culture.” This is so true today, but Christians must
remember that this has always been true. Jesus Christ showed love to those he came in contact.
Whether Jesus was feeding people, healing some of their diseases, or showing love toward
children, his ministry began with love. If Christians are to be an effective witness, they must start
with love. This could mean meeting the physical needs of neighbors and needy in the
community. Many of the more effective current ministry to this generation begins by showing
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love through meeting physical needs which will lead to a Gospel presentation that will meet their
spiritual needs.
In their search for a connection, this postmodern generation seeks a sense of belonging.
One way that church ministries and parachurch ministries can meet this need is by providing this
“family” connection that this generation is longing for. This is especially true when endeavoring
to reach young adults. One area that has been very effective in reaching university-age young
people is by providing a place where they feel that they can belong. This may appear in the form
of a small group setting. Several authors identified simple, small group settings such as dinners,
dessert fellowships, small Bible studies, and even movie nights as an effective way to attract
these young people in a comfortable setting where the Gospel can be presented in a non-
threatening manner. (Buczynski n.d.; Long n.d.) These small group settings meet many of the
needs of this postmodern generation in that they provide love, community, and belongingness.
This type of setting also opens opportunities for discussion where ideas regarding truth and
beliefs may be addressed. This generation has so many questions in which even a lecture and
question and answer format will help to bring them to a better understanding and acceptance of
the truth of the Gospel. (Sire n.d.) The focus is not to give up on the standard church ministry of
Sunday school, morning and evening church services, and Bible study and prayer. The focus of
the church and Christianity today is to provide opportunities outside the church or as an arm of
the church that will bring in young people might not otherwise enter a church. This is the first
step to show that the church is more than a building. Churches must show that Christianity
begins and ends with a relationship—a relationship rooted and grounding in Jesus Christ.
Offering opportunities that play to the postmodern desire for belongingness is an excellent
method for reaching this generation for Christ.
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Finally, service is a wonderful way to reach this postmodern generation. Since some
within this generation see the church as a rigid, authoritarian, and uncaring entity, the church
must focus upon reaching this group by serving them. Christians and the church as a whole can
reach out into their community and use service to break down these walls. Some local churches
find that when they come together with their local community to provide service in the form of
rebuilding after a hurricane, cleanup of a local park or recreational area, or even just picking up
trash on the side of a highway is an excellent way to show the community that the church is more
than its building. This type of service ministry will many times reach people who would not go
into a church based upon their own religious or non-religious beliefs. The challenge today is that
many with a postmodern mindset are steeped into this idea of religious relativism. They do not
see the need to believe anything; therefore, they will not go into a church on their own. (Sire
n.d.) This is where service is so important. When the church goes and serves the people within its
community, it opens a door for religious discussion. Only when the walls of disbelief and
disinterest are broken down by conveying love and a sense of community through service can the
Gospel be presented.
Today, Christians need to remember that to reach a postmodern generation that they must
have a clear understanding of the postmodern mindset and adjust their presentation in an effort to
reach them for Christ. These changes in presentation do not change the message of the Gospel
nor do they change the mandate of the Great Commission. When Christians focus on the
individual and his/her needs and have a clear understanding of how postmodernism has changed
these needs, then they will be able to reach a once considered lost generation.
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References
Fernando, A. (n.d.) The uniqueness of Jesus Christ. In D.A. Carson (Ed), Telling the truth:
Evangelizing postmoderns (pp. 123-137), Zondervan.
Gauthier, M. (n.d.) Church/campus connections: Model 2. In D.A. Carson (Ed), Telling the truth:
Evangelizing postmoderns (pp. 206-213), Zondervan.
Hinkson, J. and Ganssle, G. (n.d.) Epistemology at the core of postmodernism: Rorty, Foucault,
and the gospel. In D.A. Carson (Ed), Telling the truth: Evangelizing postmoderns (pp. 68-
92), Zondervan.
Jensen, P. and Payne, T. (n.d.) Church/campus connections: Model 1. In D.A. Carson (Ed),
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King James Bible. (2020). King James Bible Online. https://kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original
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Long, J. (n.d.) Generating hope: A strategy for reaching the postmodern generation. In D.A.
Carson (Ed), Telling the truth: Evangelizing postmoderns (pp. 322-335), Zondervan.
Sire, J. (n.d.) Why should anyone believe anything at all? In D.A. Carson (Ed), Telling the truth:
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Smith, C. (n.d.) The ambassador’s job description: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. In D.A. Carson (Ed),
Telling the truth: Evangelizing postmoderns (pp. 175-194), Zondervan.
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