Church

The Idolatry of Our Personal Opinions

by Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma

A friend who’s about twenty years older than I am makes occasional exclamations about my identity as a “postmodern.” Admittedly, I understand very little about this label and I need to learn more. I’ve been intending for some time to start with Brian Walsh and J. Richard Middleton’s Truth is Stranger Than It Used to Be.

One impression I have of the postmodern belief system, which looks ironically like a doctrine, is that all opinions are equally valid. Just within the past few days, I’ve heard two eerily similar stories from college-level teachers: a student approaches the teacher to disagree with the grade given on a paper. The teacher defends the grade as valid. The student assumes that the root cause of the undesirable grade is a difference of opinion and “concedes” that they’ll have to “agree to disagree.” The teacher is stunned at the student’s audacity, for the grade is not based on difference of opinion, but on lack of comprehension as determined by the teacher’s own authority and expertise in the field.

There are several labels we could give to the student in this type of situation to understand his social context, from postmodern to “firstborn” or “baby of the family.” His communities have certainly shaped his identity and enabled him to have such an egalitarian view of opinions, but some, including myself, would blaspheme against postmodernism by contending that his communities and the stories told by those communities must be ill. The student, while effectively resisting being backed into a corner, appears to be wrong.

In putting together the “In Case You Missed It the First Time” articles for Catapult, I rediscovered an article by Grant Elgersma that we published. Jumping off of Marilynne Robinson’s essays in The Death of Adam), Elgersma writes:

The cultural elites dismissal of [John] Calvin assumes that our judgments about the value of something are correct because they are our judgments. And if our goodness is confirmed by our own judgments, which most often happens to be the case, our judgments take on a certain authority that cannot be challenged by the people we are judging.

Elgersma’s statement, in the context of this editorial, is less about John Calvin than it is about the current tendency to coddle our personal opinions and get upset when someone doesn’t think our opinions are as cute as we think they are. Students like the aforementioned come across as arrogant, when really, they are afraid. Agreeing to disagree is nice, but it also allows us to create hard shells around ourselves that protect us against conflict, humiliation, regret and ultimately the messiness of human relationships. As Elgersma notes, the idolatry of our judgments is, in a sense, foolproof because we only need to give the objects of our judgment as much validity as we judge that they are worth.

Fortunately, the gospel of Christ offers a different way. In the way of Christ, we are free to acknowledge the unique abilities, gifts and knowledge of others within our community, submitting in a childlike way that paradoxically makes us mature (Ephesians 4:11-16). If a student is able to state that his opinion on a subject is equal to that of his teacher, perhaps he has never experienced or seen within his community the gospel truth that “the greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). Indeed there is rest and freedom in the ability to humbly open one’s self to what is to be learned from others and to openly acknowledge another authority in a particular area.

Now I’ve heard it said that one of the values of postmodernism to Christianity is that, in spite of all the ways in which Christians have worked throughout history to discredit the gospel story, the story (according to postmodern theory) is worth being heard and listened to. But that’s a theory I’ll have to explore in relationship with those who know more about the postmodernism than I do.

-----
In your opinion, are we experiencing a “tendency to coddle our personal opinions?” Do you agree that this amounts to “idolatry?”

-----
Editor’s Notes: This article was first published by Catapult magazine and is used by permission. The artwork above is quoted from here.

Comments

Jonathan Holcomb

I think that this article is on point with postmodernism and how we value our own opinions. I don't think that it is wrong to value our own opinions or the opinions of others, but I fully agree with the fact the in today's world there seems when a disagreement comes to the forefront, both sides don't really want to stand firm in their opinions.

Although I think that a lot of things are neither black or white, or absolutely right or wrong (more of a postmodern mentality); in order to have a standard of living (a principled life) there must be a decision of what is right and wrong and not everyone can be right. I think this is where we "coddle" our own opinions and the opinions of others. It is in the awkward and sometime uncomfortable conversations where we have the greatest opportunity for growth.

Really good article!

http://jonathanholcomb.blogspot.com

Mike Myatt

Not only is the post on point with postmodernism, but it's relevant in any era. The issue really isn't one of absolutes, or right vs. wrong, but rather being able to embrace dissenting opinion as valuable and legitimate. I authored the following post on dissenting opinion, which I hope your readers will find useful.

http://www.n2growth.com/blog/perception-matters

Kristin Ruther

Compelling. Confidence and humility coexist within a delicate balance. We must be teachable.

I liked your statement that 'Agreeing to disagree is nice, but it also allows us to create hard shells around ourselves that protect us against conflict, humiliation, regret and ultimately the messiness of human relationships.' We can't benefit from the fullness of the relationship and learn something new about our world if we casually dismiss other opinions and cling to ours alone. This is true in our relationship with God, so I would include the spiritual relationship as well.

Thanks for sharing, Kirstin.

Larry Hollon

I am no expert on postmodernism, either. But it seems the circumstances you're describing lead to an opportunity for discussing critical thinking and how we arrive at the credibility of our opinions. The Jewish concept of an ongoing conversation over the centuries about the various meanings of theTalmud is a helpful example for me.

Learned scholars and rabbis share a conversation that is constantly reviewing what the teachings mean, and what they mean within the context of life as it is experienced in changing circumstances. One can disagree with another and perhaps both can be correct, as I understand it. The manifold meaning of the revelation of God's love strains the imagination of we humans.

But understanding what wise people have understood, why they have interpreted as they do, and how their teaching fits into the historical conversation, is a helpful guide. We approach that conversation with a great deal of humility for the wisdom of the ages lies before us.

Andy Coticchio

A very thoughtful post Kirstin. I am far from an expert on post modernism, just glancing off it in a recent seminary class. But what I have gleaned troubles me. If all opinions are equally valid, how does one determine truth? Is my opinion of a published work equally valid as that of the author? I may disagree with an author's position, but can I actually say my opinion of what I think was written is as valid as the explanation coming from the author? Like I said, I find certain aspects very troubling.

Is it idolatry? I would think so if it becomes the standard by which you measure all, the central focus of your life. If the validity of your own opinion becomes the governing value of your life, it sounds like you have set yourself up to be an idol. Which I find wrong, although it must be convenient to be the idol of your own life, you obviously would have less arguments with your gods if you were.

Rich Gabrielson

I think Kristin is right about cowardice masquerading as arrogance. But postmoderns didn't invent it; it's much older than that ("Am I my brother's keeper?") Perhaps the passive-aggressive flavor ("agreeing to disagree", "effectively resisting being backed into a corner") is not quite as ancient.

Andy C: if all opinions are valid then the view that only some opinions are valid is also valid. A doctrinaire postmodernist must accept that kind of ill logic with a wink and a shrug. After all, if everything is just a point of view then logic is also just a point of view (your logic and mine are both valid even if contradictory.)

Sharon

Beautiful! I'll be chewing on this for a while.

hazel behrens

Re: Kristin R's comment "We can't benefit from the fullness of the relationship and learn something new about our world if we casually dismiss other opinions and cling to ours alone."

My twenty-something daughter commented on her friends refusal to listen to anything that presented an opinion contrary to their beliefs. She was grateful that in our house, we listened to many viewpoints from National Public Radio to Rush Limbaugh.

By hearing opinions contrary to our cherished beliefs, we gain understanding of other ways of looking at something, which can enhance or challenge our original belief. It becomes easier to find common ground. From there, all sides can learn and grow.

Fletch Wiley

Gee, a postmodern comment about postmodernism: " But that’s a theory I’ll have to explore in relationship with those who know more about the postmodernism than I do." Squishy indeed.

David T. Koyzis

Excellent post, Kirstin. As I am in the latter stages of writing a book on authority, this post definitely has relevance to my project. Thanks again.

Mike Myatt

Randy Heffner

Kirstin: Thanks. Excellent question to raise, and the post's core drive toward humility is beautiful. In my own searching, the core of it I've come to is the beauty of living simultaneously in the already & the not yet and also living in both humility and confidence. I would build on the post in two ways.

First, to "there is rest and freedom in the ability to humbly open one’s self to what is to be learned from others and to openly acknowledge another authority in a particular area," I would add: "And, for those who are the authorities in a particular area, there is rest and freedom in the humility of living always in the reality that there is yet more to learn (and unlearn), and even 'a little child [may] lead them' to it (or, a student)."

Second, there really is something to postmodernism's pushback on certainty. Let's call certainty "entrenched confidence in correctness" and call the opposite of certainty "faith". Both certainty and faith can beget confidence, but living in certainty is much more comfortable.

For example: I'll make the bald claim that, examining Genesis (and also archeological evidence, if you like), we cannot demonstrably prove whether Creation was six 24-hr days or six eras. Yet great theological efforts have gone into attempting to do just that, because we want to be certain. The same thing happens with attempts to nail down Revelation (and many other biblical issues). By contrast, I suggest that faith explores the Bible with openness and wonder, seeking only the level of confidence that God has provided, living with multiple perspectives when that's where reasoned inquiry leads (apparently, http://http://www.frame-poythress.org/" target="online_refs">John Frame and Vern Poythress have much more to say on multi-perspectivalism, but I have yet to read it).

While strains of postmodernism do in fact push toward proud and defensive "hard shells around ourselves" and my-opinion-is-as-good-as-yours attitudes, I believe Christian thought and attitude can learn much from postmoderism. We want to be the teacher-always-learning and the one-who-lives-by-faith-not-certainty. Another example: Although we can gather our reasoning as to why we believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, we cannot demonstrably prove it with the same certainty as that the sun will rise tomorrow (neither can a Humanist prove it is not). So, in relating to others about our faith, let's approach it not as a proof, but as a story that we find incredibly compelling yet which we realize that others may not. This isn't relativism, it is respect and love for others founded in our realization of the depth of the ocean of faith we swim on.

Randy Heffner

Sorry. Corrected link to http://www.frame-poythress.org/" target="online_refs">John Frame and Vern Poythress.

Troy Konicki

@ Randy: Agreed. I think what a lot of these posts are saying is that, although there is a negative side to a postmodern view, namely arrogance and judgementalism, there is also a positive side that embraces and cultivates many perspectives. Postmodernism, to me, breathes a sense of value and worth to the individual and a sense of creative beauty to things like art, text, and conversations. The fact that we can all read this blog and have many and varied opinions about the post is evidence of postmodernism in that the words on the page touch each of us differently and each experience is valid, whether it accords with the "author's intention" or not.

I would also add my personal experience that, the more I explore the nature of God, I see that maybe this timeless, infinite being operates on equally timeless and infinite levels of reality simultaneously. So, what I may see of God's character and what 10 others may see might all be different and, yet, all "right." We all believe that this God operates on certain principles of Trinity and Creation and the like and these are the nonnegotiables but as for the intricacies, as for the experiences within this realm, I think we all could learn from a closer connection with postmodernism.

Ernest Witmer

1) Idolatry is replacing true God with anything less absolute.

2) God is immutable. Opinions... even our own, change frequently.

Bryant Owens

Wonderful insight into postmodernism. When we defend our opinions to the point we are no longer teachable, then we are elevating " our truth" above absolute truth.

I most appreciate your insight that defensive reactions about one's self opinions is defensiveness grounded in insecurity. So very true.

Christ often challenges our self-righteousness in order to mature us in submission to His Lordship. The concept of Lordship is redefined in postmodernism as point inward to oneself rather than upward to Christ.

jaydusold

i watched a self proclaimed pomo engage in a religious activity that was part of a non-christian faith tradition. i was a bit surprised at their public engagement with this group and was interested to understand this choice. as i heard the explanation i felt that this particular act was somewhat selfish. in essence, all of the history of this religion and the community that was actively practicing while my friend joined was completely ignored and dishonored. he made "his time" practicing the particular discipline "mean something different" than how it was defined by the religion or how it was understood by the community that was practicing. it felt like he elevated himself to a position to deconstruct and reinterpret this practice to conform to his relativism. this caused me to start wondering about the selfishness of postmodernism. i love this friend and am not judging him for what he did . . . just reflecting on how it hit me. i am sure there is another way to understand his choice and am certainly open to hear another perspective on it.

marie leon

Great post! I'd like to enter a different perspective into the discussion. I write a blog - mombymarriage.com. As a seminary graduate and former doc student, I find myself troubled by issues surrounding injustice. Based on my education, experience and history as a therapist, I find it "easy" to come to opinion about what is "best" in a given situation. In many situations, the "relief" I offer to my clients is welcome and further strengthens my belief in "correct thinking." Recently, however, I was convicted by the HS, that I had made God in MY IMAGE! That's not to say that my insight or direction was "wrong," but that I had made myself - somewhat unwittingly - the ultimate judge of a situation. Isn't that the ultimate golden calf?!? Because these insights could be backed with scripture and the opinions of other experts - I felt RIGHT in my approach. Now hear me...I have not necessarily changed my mind about the content that supports my opinion, because I do believe in an ultimate truth - however, I am NOT its author! When I assume my aforementioned mindset, it can affect HOW I relay information to others and generally contorts the truth and the gracious demeanor the Lord would have me live out as I do life with others. Very humbling realization. I would like to link to your article for a post I am writing on just this topic. In life as a stepmother, there are many times injustices are right in your face. It's easy to ascribe to your life a position of RIGHTNESS BUT this can serve to close you off from legitimate healing and healthy, expansive thinking. Thoughts?

Comments are now closed

ALSO BY KIRSTIN VANDER GIESSEN-REITSMA

ALSO IN CHURCH

by Andrew Palau

by JR Kerr

by Tim Keller and Alister McGrath and Brian McLaren