Ligonier Conference: Entry #1

This is the first conference I've attempted to blog--and we are asked not to tax the bandwidth for those viewing the conference with live-streaming. So I ask veteran conference-bloggers to be gracious.

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In the first two sessions Ravi Zacharias spoke on "Postmodernism and Philosophy," and Al Mohler addressed "Postmodernism and Society."

Both sessions lasted about 45 minutes and were very insightful.

Zacharias: Postmdernism and Philosophy

Ravi mentioned that "Everyone's worldview changes dramatically 30 minutes after lunch (a G.K. Chesterton reference...)," but he held everyone's attention in his usual manner. Here is a summary of his main points:

Postmodernism is an important issue. We need to obtain more than a surface understanding. Last year, he spoke at John Hopkin's on the topic What Does It Mean to Be Human?" "Here we are in 2006, and we still don't know what it means to be human!"

Postmodernism Rose Well Before 1989. The subversive seeds were sown decades before, but the philosophy gained contemporary currency as early as the 1970's. The results of this philosophy spurred Malcom Muggeridge to say that it appears that 20th century man has decided to abolish himself.

Postmodernism has its roots in Genesis 3 where Satan asked Eve, "Yea, hath God said..." The meaning of words and language is subverted allowing Eve to claim her autonomy.

Here are the major tenets of post-modernism:

1. There is No Objective Reference for Words: The ground underneath language is constantly shifting. There is a "limitless instability of words."

2. There Are No Indubitable Laws of Logic: The 4 Basic Laws of Logic (Identity, Non-Contradiction, Excluded Middle, and Rational Inference) are denied.

Ravi mentioned that when he got saved in the 1960's, people would ask him for "reasons" to believe. But now nobody cares. "Reason" is abandoned. "When we beat them at their own game, they change the rules."

3. There Are No Boundaries for Meaning: This is an extremely sad point for those who have lived out the philosophy of post-modernism. The leaders of this philosophy betray a lost and misplaced outlet for their genius.

4. There Is No Meta-Narrative: Our lives are reduced to little stories detached from the over-arching story of meaning. It can be a blessing to know your family tree, your family history--a sense of family connection. But, as a society, we are a people who have lost any sense of where we came from and where are going.

The bottom line is that post-modernism is bad news. As Christians, we must stay with the Word of God and reason.

My notes from Al Mohler are upcoming....