The Next Crusade will not be against one particular faith group, but against the ideology of Postmodernism.

In postmodernity, it is impossible for a person to be unbiased. Each person comes to the table with emotions, baggage from his or her past, cultural and gender differences. In a postmodern society, truth is created. It is up to each person to develop his or her truth, which at best is a relative view of what he or she has been taught. Postmodernity believes truth and knowledge have no boundaries. It is up to each individual to set his or her own path.

We cannot really say that anything is “good” if there is no absolute value for good. Each person makes the decision for him or herself what “good” is. Postmodernity believes we are no longer capable of solving the problems of humanity. We only can address the symptoms of suffering. Everyone is just trying to exist and get through the day. People do not believe we are better off today than we were yesterday. There really is no reason to strive for a better tomorrow.

In postmodernism, truth is not bound by the rational. It involves many aspects of the individual. One cannot be expected to be rational when emotions, feelings and thoughts are involved. All of these aspects help shape the truth that is created. Truth takes on the characteristic of the group that is trying to define it. Each member contributes a piece to the puzzle. In the postmodern mind, truth is changing. It is a living organism that changes as the moods and whims of the society flux. There is no external reference point for truth. This is extremely important when it comes to reaching the Muslim and Hindu. Each faith group genuinely believes it is on the right road. The world views Christians as closed-minded and intolerant. We must proclaim Christ as the only way. This is why I believe the next crusade will be against an ideology versus a particular faith group.

I now can see that as a student minister I must bridge the gap between biblical culture and today’s postmodern culture. Jesus was great at this. He used common, everyday language and situations to communicate God’s love to the people with whom He came in contact. His message was presented differently depending on the individual with whom He was speaking. I must learn how to construct local theologies. I need to figure out how to best communicate the love of Christ to our culture. I am now going to try to study the youth culture across the country and in our local setting in order to develop a strategy of how to win students to Christ. Paul said, “He became all things to all men in order that He may win some.”

Paul knew the importance of penetrating the culture. He knew about Greek mythology. In the Book of Acts, he spoke to the Roman citizens about their gods and points them to “The Unknown God.” He knew how to speak the language of the day and how to express the gospel in a way that was meaningful to the culture in which he found Himself. Cross-cultural outreach is a good term to use because for the first time in the history of America we not only have two generations in one household but two cultures. If we are to take the message of the cross to the postmodern culture, we must have our finger on the pulse of our students and their families. Then and only then, will we make the greatest impact.