post-truth /ˌpəʊstˈtruːθ/
Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective
facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than
appeals to emotional and personal belief. 1
By Mark J. Koscak
T
HE 2016 OXFORD DICTIONARY word of the year
was post-truth.
Post-truth: Relating to or denoting circumstances in which
objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion
than appeals to emotional and personal belief. 1
What does that mean? You and I would call it a lie!
Post-truth is a worldview that rejects The Way, The Truth,
and The Life (see Jn 14:6). Believers in post-truth believe
there are things in life more important than truth. In a
recent article by the Benham Brothers, they explain the
consequences of post-truth: “Romans 1:18-32 reveals an
eerie pattern of what happens when truth is denied. We
are literally watching this unfold every day, right before our
eyes. It goes like this:
•
•
•
•
•
Deny truth (Rom 1:18)
Darkened heart (Rom 1:21)
Displace God (Rom 1:25)
Degrading passions (Rom 1:26)
Depraved mind (Rom 1:28)” 2
Direction of the World
The world is going in the direction of a post-truth world-
view. A study by the American Culture & Faith Institute
shares that only 4% of the Millennial generation (approxi-
mately ages 17-35) have a biblical worldview. 3 Another
study by the same group found that less than one-half of
one percent of adults in the Mosaic generation (ages 18-23)
have a biblical worldview. 4
Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant said a healthy
society couldn’t remain healthy so long as it accepts lies.
“For a lie always harms another,” Kant asserted, “if not some
other particular man, still it harms mankind generally.” 5
Pursuing Knowledge Apart From God
We are facing a sick society impacted by the choice of many
to deny truth. Time magazine helps us to see the magnitude
30
of the impact of post-truth. Their April 3, 2017, edition asks
“Is Truth Dead?” Similar to so many other topics, the topic
of post-truth comes down to education. Are we pursuing
knowledge without God? “In Genesis 3, the serpent intro-
duced mankind to the satanic theory of education. The
idea is simple: men, women, boys, and girls can and should
pursue knowledge apart from explicit connection and
subjugation to the Word of God.” 6
Pursuing Truth and Teaching a Christian Worldview
Some people say that 2016 was the year truth became irrel-
evant. In a Christian school, the pursuit of knowledge starts
with the fear of the Lord. Truth is shared five days a week,
all year long, for 13 years. However, many students do not
have the opportunity to receive a biblical worldview educa-
tion. They are in an educational environment that embraces
post-truth and its offspring ranging from evolution, to
gender fluidity, to Keynesian economics, to naturalism, and
so much more. You can make a difference by joining with
Renewanation and your local Christian school to help more
children develop a biblical worldview education.
Mark Koscak is Director of Development at Providence Acad-
emy in Johnson City, TN. Mark spent 20 years in the business
world in various leadership positions before he was called
full-time to raise funds for Providence Academy. He is the cre-
ator and director of the Christian Storytelling Concert (chris-
tianstorytellingconcert.com). Mark also helps a variety of other
schools and ministries with their development programs. Mark
is married to Beth, and they have two children who attend
Liberty University.
FOOTNOTES
1. Oxford Dictionary, Word of the Year-2016, en.oxforddictionaries.com.
2. David and Jason Benham, “Eerie Biblical Pattern Unfolding as America Denies
Truth,” March 30, 2017, benhambrothers.com.
3. Steve Jordahl, “Barna Detects Dangerous Breach in the Wall,” March 16,
2017, OneNewsNow.com.
4. “Barna Survey Examines Changes in Worldview Among Christians over the
Past 13 Years,” Faith and Christianity, March 9, 2009.
5. Al Mohler Jr., “The Post Truth Era Welcome to the Age of Dishonesty,” The
Briefing, July 19, 2005, albertmohler.com.
6. “Temples of the State: The Very Religious Mission of American Public Schools,”
Fire Breathing Christian, February 13, 2016, firebreathingchristian.com.