CULTURAL CURRENTS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Observing Culture Report
Looking for the Influence of Postmodernity In Light of Biblical Truth
Submitted to Prof. Dr. Page Brooks of the SUM Bible College & Theological Seminary
Fall 2018: THEO6213 Biblical Perspectives: Popular Theologies
in SUM Bible College & Theological Seminary
In this day and age, it is clear that as Scripture states, we are living in the ‘last days.’ That means that although God is sovereign over all that takes place, the satanic influences are still realized. This takes shape in the form of postmodern thought and behavior. As I spent an hour out in the mall, I was able to see a plethora of postmodern influences, ranging from the interactions individuals had, to the clothes they wore, and the advertisements plastered all across the mall.
As I stepped into the food court, I began to realize how many different age and ethnic groups there were. But oddly enough, they all shared a commonality. For the most part, they all seemed to dress like celebrities, musicians or athletes I have seen on T.V. Their style was influenced by the culture. It is an obvious thing to state that we are all impacted by the world around us, but with the effects of social media and Internet, those effects seem to be at a larger scale. Though one cannot accurately analyze behavior just by outerwear, it was clear that the culture was impacting their decisions on how they chose to communicate who they are based on what they wore. In the book of Daniel, we read of a young man who was gifted, invited to the King’s inner circle to learn and further his education. Yet the bible says that Daniel “resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank” (Daniel 1:8). Romans 12:2 commands that we should not be “conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds.” What does it look like to seek to live as Christ lived in this time? It is to make a conscious decision not to be influenced and drawn to make decisions based on the present culture.
As I sat in some conversations, I saw the impact of culture lay even heavier. I heard a group of teens say, “YOLO” (you only live once). One of the teens was telling the other to perform a prank and after some resistance, the teen yelled out, “dude, what’s the big deal? YOLO. Stop being a baby.” This postmodern thought is so prevalent throughout the discourses I heard. It comes from this idea that one should forsake truth and principle, and respond to our convictions and feelings. Many use this phrase in terms of thinking of sexual purity. Our body says it is okay, so it must be okay. Instead, Scripture commands us to live denying ourselves and taking up the cross.
Lastly, as I began to scroll the different shops, I saw many of the advertisements and how they are influencing a new generation of young people. In almost all of the clothing shops, models were used to dress with as little as possible, revealing all the “sexual” aspects of their bodies. Subconsciously, this may send a message that one should explore sexuality, pleasure and the things attracting to our eyes. It is shocking to think how subtle the enemy’s attacks and influences are on culture, especially when one is not intently paying attention to them.
