Why should you stand against the ecumenical monoculture? Part 1

You should stand against the ecumenical monoculture because it is a logical impossibility. Postmodernism is the philosophical and ideological foundation upon which the ecumenical monoculture is built. Postmodernism asserts, “truth is a fabrication of the human mind; everyone determines their own reality; and therefore no one has the truth.” There are two reasons why this is an impossible claim.

• First, the postmodern truth claim does not allow for postmodernism and vise versa. There are several different ways in which the postmodern truth claim can be rendered and upon examination they will all be proven selfcontradictory and selfdefeating. The statement “there is no absolute truth” is absolute and if there is no absolute truth then the statement is false. Conversly, the statement “there is no absolute truth” is absolute and if there is absolute truth then the statement is false. The statement “there is no objective truth” is an objective truth and if there is no objective truth then the statement is false. Conversly, the statement “there is no objective truth” is an objective truth and if there is objective truth then the statement is false. Another key term in understanding postmodernism and the ecumenical monoculture is “situated knowledge” which claims “all knowledge is situated within the group, or individual, who(whom) constructed it.” If all knowledge is situated then the claim that “all knowledge is situated” is not situated; it exists within all cultures, all people, at all times and therefore not all knowledge is situated and situated knowledge is false.

• Second, the postmodern truth claim cannot coexist with absolute/exclusive truth claims. The ecumenical monoculture is a single, homogeneous culture without diversity or dissension. Therefore, when there is dissension there is no monoculture. In comparing postmodernism with one exclusive and one absolute truth claim it will be shown that postmodernism is false. In Acts 4:12 Peter, speaking of Jesus Christ, exclusively claims, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This claim cannot be true according to postmodernism and postmodernism cannot be true according to this claim. If salvation is in Christ alone and by Christ alone then it is exclusively true and postmodernism is false. If salvation is not in Christ alone and by Christ alone then it is, exclusively true and postmodernism is false. Atheism makes the absolute claim that “there is no God.” If the statement “there is no God” is true then there is absolute truth and postmodernism is false. If the statement “there is no God” is false then the existence of God is absolutely true and postmodernism is false. Postmodernism, and therefore the ecumenical monoculture, cannot coexist with absolute/exclusive truth claims. (This topic will be further discussed in a coming post entitled “The Ecumenical Monoculture is Exclusive.”)