The Shepherd’s Scrapbook has an interview with Doug Pagitt that clearly shows how “postmodern”, “emergent” crowd have rejected the scripture as authority and have butchered the redemptive gospel of Jesus. If you listen carefully, Doug and his heretical teaching called Jesus a liar.

According to Wayne Grudem, the study of systematic theology is one way to prepare the Church for future errors. In the introduction to Systematic Theology (Zondervan: 1994) he writes:

Dan Wallace has a blog worth reading on Postmodernism and the Imagio Dei. As one who embraces elements from both worldviews of Modernism and Postmodernism, I appreciate his perspective. He rightly points out that most Modernists have no concept of loving a person into the kingdom. On the other hand, it’s important that we filter out aspects of Postmodernism that are not Biblical. In my experience, Christians tend to swing from one extreme to another - usually from fully Modern to fully Postmodern in reaction to the excess and failures of Modernism. However, jumping lockstock and barrel into Postmodernism is not wise and Dan rightly points out some of the pitfalls.

Tim Keller has an exceptional article on how to preach the gospel in a post-modern city (not just to post-moderns, but to everyone!).

’ “the gospel” is not just a way to be saved from the penalty of sin, but is the fundamental dynamic for living the whole Christian life–individually and corporately, privately and publicly. In other words, the gospel is not just for non-Christians, but also for Christians. This means the gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A to Z of the Christian life. It is not accurate to think ’the gospel’ is what saves non-Christians, and then, what matures Christians is trying hard to live according to Biblical principles. It is more accurate to say that we are saved by believing the gospel, and then we are transformed in every part of our mind, heart, and life by believing the gospel more and more deeply as our life goes on.’ (emphasis added)

Do you want to understand more about the culture we live in and how we can engage them with the Gospel? Read the following article by Tim Keller. I consider he, John Piper, Wayne Grudem and Mark Driscoll my adjunct, “living” Profs and mentors. Read it through 5-10x over this month and you will be better prepared to reach the diverse peoples of Metro Huntsville (or whatever city you live in). If this type of writing is new to you, endure it the first couple of times. After that, you will have some progressive “ah-ha” moments.

Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. It is written from a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) pastor to his denomination. He is a visionary leader for strategic, biblical church planting in downtown/metropolis areas. He embodies a “heart for the city” as we do for Metro Huntsville. Thanks to Doug Wever and John Thweatt for introducing me to Keller’s teachings. Here is a good link for Tim Keller resources: http://www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary/2005/07/tim_keller_arti.html. Get to know him.