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8 Section A NOVEMBER 2008 The Woodside News

On target in Global impact


celebration
a postmodern world
BY WILLIAM T. PELLETIER
WOODSIDE NEWS COLUMNIST
Postmodernism is a worldview
philosophy that has mushroomed
Grier said today’s postmodern
youth are “much more relational and A fter much prayer for the chil-
dren of Thailand, Woodside’s
orphanage became a reality. Today,
since the early 1960s. Adherents communal and less cerebral and indi-
25 children live there. There will

P eople who assert that truth exists
are a danger to the culture.”
This is the view of postmodernism,
maintain there is no absolute truth, no
fixed morality, no universal values. Of
course, by applying this denial to the
vidual” than earlier generations. They
resist moral authority, are suspicious of
universal solutions, and are open to
be 60 by early next year.
Pastor Akha John and his wife
said Dr. James M. Grier, as he dis- statement itself, one sees the statement many interpretations and viewpoints. Nut, who are helping with the
cussed the philosophical underpin- cannot be true. Jerry Hines, High School Pastor orphanage, will be here from
nings of current ways of thinking. Postmodernists emphasize the at Woodside Bible’s Troy campus, Thailand in November.
Christians are encountering this per- group over the individual. They believe agreed with this analysis. He said that On Saturday, November 15,
vasive attitude in the process of com- truth is formed by the social group(s) of while high-schoolers may not explicit- and Sunday, November 16, all four
municating God’s truth to the post- which you are a part rather than being ly identify rejection of absolute truth campuses will take part in the
modern American culture. determined by the Creator. However, as part of their philosophy, such an Global Impact Celebration.
Grier is Distinguished Professor no social group that I know of has ever attitude is very much part of their The main celebration will take
of Philosophical Theology at Grand changed the law of gravity or any other thinking and approach. place on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the
Rapids Theological Seminary. He physical law. Why think moral laws can Grier proposed a definition of Troy campus. At this service,
addressed over 50 area church leaders be formed by social groups? the church as “people sent on a mis- Senior Pastor Doug Schmidt will
at a Woodside Bible seminar on be the keynote speaker, along with
Saturday, October 25, at the Troy Akha John and Mano Daniel.
campus.
The seminar was Truth, Certainty
“Friendship evangelism must Mano Daniel comes from
India where he teaches and trains
and Missional Ministry in a Postmodern others to distribute tracts in that
Context and contained two presenta- eventually involve a clear country.
tions: “The Epistemic Quandary: After the service, there will be
Certainty, Certitude, Assurance,
Reasonable Doubt” and “Missional
invitation to enter the Kingdom a reception in the lobby from 6:15
p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with food and
refreshments. There will also be
Ministry in a Postmodern Context:
Enacting the Mission of God.” or it’s not evangelism.” – DR. JAMES GRIER many missionaries representing
While that may sound intimidat- both local and foreign missions
ing, the talks were actually gripping who will have displays and litera-
and completely understandable. Grier ture of their own ministry.
PHOTOS BY JO ALICE PELLETIER

excels at conveying academic philo- These are all supported by


sophical concepts through clear expla- Below: Woodside. You will be able to visit
nations and arresting descriptions of Dr. James Grier with them, ask questions, or just
consequences. I didn’t see anybody explains get to know them.
nodding off. postmodern Did you know that Woodside
“This fits right in with my plan to thinking sponsors many mission trips to
disciple 18-to-25-year-olds,” said other countries every year? In the
Brian Wood of the Troy campus. “It Right: lobby there will be a party for
has to be relevant, to target the real Dr. James Grier those who have gone on a short
issues, so young men are equipped to dialogues term mission trip. A video will be
be effective followers of Christ in each with Max Chu shown looking back on some of
local church.” from White the trips and looking forward to
Lake campus the trips planned for 2009.
There are 12 new short term
trips planned. If you are interested in
sion by God.” He said, “Every aspect going on one of these trips, stop by
of church ministry must be grounded and receive the information on them.
in the mission of God.” The Apostle As mentioned previously,
Peter describes God’s mission for the there are 25 children in the
church this way: to “proclaim the Thailand orphanage at this time.
excellencies of Him who has called you Woodside is looking for vol-
out of darkness into His marvelous unteers to financially sponsor a
light” (1 Peter 2:9). child.
Just like the sons of Issachar, “men The opportunity will be given
who understood the times, with knowledge for an individual or for a group of
of what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles people to take on the financial sup-
12:32), the challenge to the people of port of a child. Perhaps an AFG
Woodside Bible is to understand our class would like to sponsor a child.
postmodern culture and to clearly com- With the number of children soon
municate Biblical truth to it. to be increased, this will be a great
Grier suggested that the best com- help financially, but also it will be a
munication strategy will be to impact blessing to you and the child.
people using the Biblical narrative During the lobby reception,
from Genesis to Revelation, rather there will be more information on
than to depend solely on rational argu- this.
ments. True evangelism must include a Please join us in this celebra-
clear “invitation to enter the tion as we see what God is doing
Kingdom.” in the world today through your
Grier’s talks are available on the prayers and contributions.
church Web site.

Dr. William T. Pelletier can be contacted at


williampelletier@woodsidenews.org
©2008 William T. Pelletier

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