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Modernism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of significant changes in the world, such as the emergence of industrial societies, the growth of larger and more populated cities, and the devastating impact of World War I. These factors, among others, led people in Western society to adopt new ways of thinking and believing, a shift that has been identified as “modernism” by historians and philosophers. Key characteristics of modernism include religious skepticism and atheism. Influential figures like Sigmund Freud, who explored the unconscious mind, and Friedrich Nietzsche, who emphasized the importance of the human “will to power” in evolution, played a crucial role in the rise of modernism, and their ideas continue to influence culture today.
Modernism is most evident in the realms of art and literature, where it prompted a radical departure from traditional styles and forms. “Modern art” rejected realism and objective representation in favor of expressing the subjective inner world. Writing techniques like stream-of-consciousness and abstract painting styles became prevalent. Themes of self-awareness and self-expression took center stage in art, mirroring societal shifts.
From a Christian perspective, modernism should be viewed from two angles. Firstly, modernism offers insight into the human condition. It represents humanity’s endeavor to comprehend itself and human existence without relying on God’s revelation. The rejection of God and the emphasis on self reflect society’s embrace of falsehood. Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the truth with a world misled and ensnared by Satan. It is important for Christians to approach those entangled in deception with gentleness, prayer, and the truth spoken in love (2 Timothy 2:24-26;Ephesians 4:15).
Secondly, Christians shouldSee modernism as another step toward the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Bible. Paul states that in the end times people will be “lovers of self” «without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, », (2 Timothy 3:3). Peter mentions that a hallmark of the last days will be the presence of “scoffers” and skeptics «knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, », (2 Peter 3:3), and Jude echoes the warning «how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. », (Jude 1:18). Modernism, with its emphasis on self-expression and self-fulfillment and rejection of God, has nudged humanity that much closer to the final judgment.
Again, a Christian should view modernism as the expression of man’s attempt to understand himself and as the partial fulfillment of prophecy. Christians should engage the culture influenced by modernism with courage and truth. The children of God should use their talents and intelligence to influence culture with art, literature, philosophy, and science based on the truth of God. We should refuse to keep our light covered (Matthew 5:14-16). This means injecting Christian thought into the culture rather than keeping it to ourselves to be enjoyed only by others like us.
