"A World of -isms"

We live in an "isms" world. This is a world that reduces everything to the word that precedes it. This is such a common phenomenon in our language and culture that we hardly think much about it. Words such as socialism, communism, libertarianism, federalism, secularism, liberalism, conservatism, etc., are words we hear on the street every day. Not all "isms" are necessarily evil-such as Calvinism and Protestantism-but even these run the danger of becoming icons they were never meant to be.

When something harmful comes upon us gradually, we tend to gradually ignore it and hope it will go away. In fact, however, it grows. Jesus warned us to look carefully at the times in which we live. In Matthew 16 He addressed the Pharisees who couldn't see the forest for the trees: "When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red; and in the morning, it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times."

What infects our world has also infected thinking within the church. Just what are those problems? The big umbrella is Postmodernism. It has ubiquitous tentacles which distort thinking in church circles. Several years ago Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, gave a series of studies on the effects of Postmodernism in today's world. He rightly identified three interrelated "ism" areas that have impacted our culture and which must be answered by the church-individualism, relativism, and consumerism. Let's take a look at these.

Individualism

Individualism (the individual is all-important) teaches that what I think and feel is the most important consideration. It's all about me, me, me! The world teaches that it doesn't matter what you believe, just that you have "faith." If a person can just feel comfortable about how he worships and serves God, that's what really matters. Biblical truth no longer matters. Doctrine is ancient history. Churches have seen this attitude and some have capitulated by having two different types of services-contemporary and traditional-to cater to the clamoring of the people. Morals now only reflect individual cravings and peer pressure.

Individualism negatively affects everything that God wants of us in our lives-to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. You can't do this with a "me-first" worldview. Where is the preeminence of Jesus Christ, who said that the first thing a Christian must do is deny himself? Where is the covenant of grace between God and man, or the promise being taught to the children of believers? The only antidote to individualism is Christ-centered preaching which declares that Christians belong to Christ, not to themselves.

Relativism

Relativism (everything is relative) teaches that there are no absolute truths, no absolute God, and no assurance of salvation. Truth is just in a process of "becoming" in order to be more conducive to our culture. If you want to be relevant today, you have to go with the flow. What is actually true is whatever man at the time deems to be true. That, of course, makes man believe he is a god. Since the church is considered by many to be irrelevant, many churches are willing to build their focus around the people and programs, rather than around the Word of God.

Relativism is the bread and butter of liberalism. Unfortunately, we are seeing many evangelical churches adopt the same course. They say they can't help but change in light of the pressures from society as well as some from within the church. Most of the mega-churches are just a reflection of the whims of those who find refuge in them.

Although the church certainly must be aware of cultural change and difficulties, if it just conforms to the culture, what good has it done? The more the church reflects surrounding culture, the less relevant the church becomes to culture. It is just a part of it. Only so much candy can be offered before sickness sets in. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about the day of "itching ears" and instructs all of us as to the solution: "Preach the Word...." (2 Tim. 4:2-4). That is God's antidote to this poison.

Consumerism

Consumerism (the customer is always right) considers the Bible and Christianity merely as a product to be attractively packaged and sold. In a consumer society, such as we live in, people expect the church to conform to their felt needs. Gimmicks replace the Word and Spirit of God. In a consumer society, success is determined by size, not faithfulness to God. The church of today that thinks it has a product to sell has already sold out. The Bible has the correct approach-the message of the church is to call people to conform to the teachings of the Word of God, and it must declare clearly and without compromise that it has a message of bad news and good news. The bad news is that man is born in sin and under the curse of God. The good news is that Jesus Christ came to bear that curse on the cross, and that everyone who believes in Him has everlasting life.

At the time he begins to lead Israel, Joshua receives from God not only encouragement, but a command: "This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Josh. 1:8).

There are plenty of bad "isms" in the world. Avoid them like the plague. They replace Christ. "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1 Tim. 6:11).