Carl Trueman on truth in a confused culture
Elisa Wells, Staff Writer
All around there are voices competing to define what’s right, what’s real, and even who we are. In a culture where truth feels unclear and constantly shifting, it is important that Christians remain grounded in the gospel, because only truth can cut through the noise.
Carl Trueman, a leading expert on modern culture trends, will be speaking on the North Greenville University Campus on March 24. Truman is a professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College and is a leading commentator on modern culture. His work has helped many believers navigate through what it means to live faithfully in a culture that is always changing.
“He is pretty well known for writing lots of books about theology and the culture we live in today,” said Kyle Havican, junior youth ministry major.
Truman is an ordained minster in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and is a historian with an expertise in the Reformation. Now, Truman focuses on cultural analysis and modern identity issues. Through his work there are three main themes.
Firstly, one of his common themes is identity. Modern culture defines identity with feelings and desires. But, the idea that identity is defined by feelings and desires contrasts with the biblical view of being created with purpose and design. The key tension within this idea is inner desires vs. external reality.
Secondly, human nature and sin affect feelings and desires. The cultural belief is that fulfillment comes from following desires. But a Biblical perspective expresses that desires are affected by sin therefore true flourishing comes from following God’s design. This will result in implications for how students live and make decisions.
Lastly, Trueman discusses how believers can live on mission in a confused culture. Students are called to be transformational leaders and understanding the culture will teach students how to engage in it effectively.
Dallas Vandiver, Assistant Vice President of Student Ministries and Assistant Professor of Christian Studies explained the importance of this message.
“If you want to understand the world that we live in today, you need to hear this lecture. What you’re going to hear from Dr. Truman in the morning is about expressive individualism, and that is going to give them a sense of why do we have this inclination to think that I need to live into what my desires are, and how does that affect my neighbors around me?” Vandiver said.
