17AR22-38

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AR 22:38 - Postmodernism's link to neo-Marxism in the academy

In this issue:

BIBLICAL RELIABILITY - the reasoning behind pop-culture's interpretation of the Bible

+ "a weighty discourse on how we know what we know about Christianity from ancient through modern times"

POSTMODERNISM - introducing a new secular voice against its influence on western culture

Apologia Report 22:38 (1,358)

October 19, 2017

BIBLICAL RELIABILITY

Sometimes, the most vociferous attacks result in the best defensive efforts. "The Bible: Intentionally Misunderstood" by Steve Cable (Aug 22 '17) is a good example. Cable, Senior Vice President of Probe Ministries, examines <www.goo.gl/uaozgo> pop-culture's reasoning and interpretation of the Bible as found in an example from the mainstream media. In doing so, Cable recommends top-level apologetic responses by New Testament scholar Darrell Bock and expert on ancient New Testament documents, Daniel Wallace in addition to pointing out unaddressed areas he finds worth discussing.

In particular, Cable considers:

* - Using survey data incorrectly

* - Misunderstanding the accuracy of English translations

* - Supposed contradictions in the Bible

* - Faulty Bible interpretation regarding homosexuality

* - Obeying the law vs. criticizing the government

Contrast the above to this surprisingly charitable view of Scripture coming from a secular source. Carl L. Hansen of Midland University reviews Biblical Truths: The Meaning of Scripture in the Twenty-First Century, by Dale B. Martin [1] for Choice Reviews (Aug '17). Hansen begins: "Nearly 50 years ago, biblical scholar Walter Wink argued that when it came to understanding the Bible historical criticism was 'bankrupt' because it had outlived its usefulness. Whether or not it had any future was questionable. In Biblical Truths Martin (Yale) provides a new approach to Wink's concerns. Beginning with a review of the origins of historical criticism, Martin proposes an alternative way to interpret Christian scripture and creedal statements and doctrines, one that makes use of historical methods without letting the method be the final word. The author fulfills his promise to produce a "provisional" method for the doing of theology. As he writes in the introduction, 'the doing of theology is never-ending,' and one 'must be constant in reform, revision, experiment [and] must remain open to all new and unexpected movements of the holy spirit.' This volume is valuable for offering provocative insights that challenge theological beliefs that are taken for granted. Summing Up: Recommended."

Publishers Weekly (Feb '17) agrees: "With this incisive, illuminating book, Martin, a professor of religious studies at Yale University, engages the question needling most contemporary skeptics of a Christian background: How can anyone still believe in the Bible? He suggests that discovering truth may lie not in questioning what scripture has to say, but rather in scrutinizing how we have been reading and interpreting it. Martin uses his areas of expertise - the New Testament and Christian origins - to deliver a weighty discourse on how we know what we know about Christianity from ancient through modern times and to suggest that thinking differently might be the key to understanding. He explores faith (which he views as a gift, rather than a philosophy offering all the answers) and how various translations and previous teaching can influence interpretations about the nature of God, the divinity of Jesus, and the infallibility of scripture itself, among other things. Some of the topics that get a new look are the role of women in the church, love, sex, and marriage (including what the Bible might have to say about same-sex unions). Martin doesn't push a particular agenda, but points out examples from history and in scripture to ask questions and determine whether there might be room for interpretation. Filled with as many questions as answers, Martin's book will help believers and nonbelievers alike interpret or defend faith in the 21st century."

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POSTMODERNISM

Just over a year ago, Jordan B. Peterson, a University of Toronto psychology professor, entered Canada's political spotlight for opposing Canada's Bill C16 <www.goo.gl/q2P1SU> which adds prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act. Among other things, the legislation criminalizes the act of refusing to address anyone according to their gender preference.

In 2013, Peterson began recording his university lectures and uploading them to YouTube. His YouTube channel <www.goo.gl/zpa2gU> has gathered more than 450,000 subscribers and his videos have received more than 25 million views.

Peterson is the most interesting secular academic we've discovered in a very long time. Among his main areas of study are the psychology of religious and ideological belief. He has also studied the ideologies of totalitarian states. He is currently producing a series of lectures on the Bible and posting them online teaching that the ideas in the Bible are an essential core of western civilization. <www.goo.gl/Yaqzfo>

Released on Sep 27 '16, the video which caused the media storm over Bill C-16 <www. goo.gl/Qm4Sde> outlined his concerns about the bill and its negative consequences. Soon after, Peterson experienced organized opposition <www.goo.gl/EgZVpC> by trans- gender activists attempting to silence him at lectures he presented on free speech.

Peterson is primarily concerned about the influence of postmodernism on today's culture <www.goo.gl/QqiXeC> and how it has become "the new skin that the old Marxism now inhabits" within the halls of western higher education and beyond. He is a thoughtful crusader against politically correct culture, exposing its roots in post- modern philosophy which he believes poses a threat to western civilization.

Postmodern philosophy originated in France and spread to American universities beginning in the 1970s. Peterson finds that postmodernism is the source of today's identity politics. Postmodernism condemns western civilization and capitalism. If you are puzzled by the admiration of Marx and the positive view of socialism/communism among today's youth (seen through their support of 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders), study Peterson a bit and you won't be puzzled much longer.

Peterson teaches that postmodernism frames the world in terms of the oppressor vs. the oppressed. It sees people not as individuals but as members of groups (race, gender, religion) which is why feminism has morphed into the resentment of the 'patriarchy,' why white males are cast in a negative light, why we increasingly hear the media using terms like 'white supremacy' and 'white privilege', and why Christianity is looked down on even as Islam is defended. Christianity is seen as oppressive because its ideas are part of western civilization's core.

Postmodern philosophy does not believe in dialogue. This ideology is what motivates the 'social justice warriors' (SJWs) behind campus mobs that are shutting down speakers whose ideas are seen as 'hateful'. These SJWs believe they have the moral high ground which justifies their use of violence against 'hate speech'.

Peterson is not a Christian in the New Testament sense. When asked if Christ rose bodily from the dead, he answers that he does not know. Nevertheless he is moving some people to reconsider Christianity. Visit the following link for an instance of someone coming to Christ after listening to Peterson's lectures on the Bible. <www.goo. gl/D4koqF>

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SOURCES: Monographs

1 - Biblical Truths: The Meaning of Scripture in the Twenty-First Century, by Dale B. Martin (Yale Univ Prs, 2017, hardcover, 408 pages) <www.goo.gl/tQ8ZaW>

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