Barukh Binah captured succinctly one of the pillars of postmodernism, the suspicion of truth. In accord with postmodernism, current culture proclaims the death of objective truth. Thus, no one can refer to an external source for truth nor claim that (s)he possesses it. It does not exist.

Today, truth depends upon the individual, even circumstances, resulting in the relativism of truth. "That's just what you believe" intrudes everyday conversation. What began years ago in higher education now infects everything from public education to politics. As Barukh Binah said, one person's truth turns into another's untruth. At the risk of over simplification, the suspicion of truth permeates today's culture.

Sadly, the suspicion of truth pervades the professing Christian Church, too. Uncertainty of Biblical truth used to come exclusively from those outside of the Church. Now, it occurs from those holding positions of leadership in the Church. Rejection of the authority of the Bible, including its inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility, increases among professing Christians and non-Christians, which yields theological ambiguity and denial of Biblical doctrine. Instead of the Church influencing the culture, today's professing Christian Church conforms to the culture.

One of those leaders who expresses a suspicion of truth, Dr. Timothy Keller, recently wrote an article, which epitomizes this condition. I first discovered it in the Redeemer Report at the web site for the Church he pastors. (1) Later, The Gospel Coalition published it at their web site. A review of comments to the posting at The Gospel Coalition's site reveals an overwhelming support for his commentary. (2) Few question his commentary; even fewer reject it.

In his article, Tim Keller urges his readers to pursue Blaise Pascal's method for presenting the Christian faith. Pascal said,

“Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next, make it attractive, make good men wish it were true,and then show that it is.” (3)

Dr. Keller then explains how to implement Pascal's method.

The Fallacy of Reason

However, in advocating Pascal's method, Tim Keller rejects Biblical authority and spurns the Biblical description of a sinner's true condition. The Bible identifies a sinner as dead in trespasses and sin, completely lacking all spiritual life, any interest in God, and any ability to change his condition. (4) As an enemy of God, the sinner cannot submit to God nor please him. (5) Further, the Bible says that no one seeks after God (6). In fact, those without Christ do not understand Biblical truth and view it as foolishness. (7)

Consequently, the depraved natures of sinners control every aspect of their lives, minds, and wills. Thus, mankind's sinful bias prevents any inherent capability to evaluate truthfully any rational argument autonomously, especially Biblical argumentation and truth. Keller rejects this fundamental Biblical truth about humanity's nature and presumes falsely that mankind possess this ability. This error forms the foundation of Keller's proposal, which contradicts the Bible's declaration of the sinner's true condition. To build upon the false foundation of a sinner's autonomous reason foolishly builds upon sand. (8)

The Fallacy of Marketing

Further, Tim Keller proposes that those who present the Christian faith rely upon salesmanship techniques. In his article, Keller places significant stress upon making Christianity appealing and attractive to non-Christians. He suggests that one stress the benefits of the Christian faith and show how Christianity fulfills a person's aspirations. Such methodology, currently popular within the emergent Church and Church growth movements, fits what my late friend and mentor, Dr. James Grier, called “...sell Jesus through marketing with the emphasis upon the benefits of salvation...” (9) Again, Keller's proposition lacks Biblical authority, which presupposes falsely that someone can sell faith in Christ as someone sells a bar of soap.ad