In a recent podcast interview with Kathy Mellor, we explored some of the cultural forces shaping today’s world—ideas like Marxism, Postmodernism, and Wokeism. These worldviews affect the way people see truth, power, and identity, and they explain a lot about why conversations feel so polarized right now.
But our conversation didn’t stop with just defining these ideologies. The bigger question we wrestled with was this: How can we, as Christians, truly connect with people who see the world differently?
The Worldviews Shaping Our Culture
1. Marxism: Oppressors vs. Oppressed
Marxism divides society into two camps: the oppressors and the oppressed. Justice, in this lens, comes only by overthrowing the oppressors—even through revolution or dismantling systems. Life is viewed primarily as a power struggle.
2. Postmodernism: No Objective Truth
Postmodernism rejects the idea of absolute truth. Instead, it claims truth is socially constructed, shaped by culture and language. Identities are seen as fluid, and personal experience often matters more than facts. Reality becomes subjective.
3. Wokeism: Intersectionality and Activism
Wokeism merges these two streams:
- From Marxism, it borrows the oppressor/oppressed lens.
- From Postmodernism, it borrows the idea that lived experience defines truth.
The result is a worldview focused on dismantling “the system,” challenging privilege, and reshaping language to elevate marginalized voices. The driving force is activism.
Why Wokeism Appeals
As Kathy and I discussed, Wokeism feels attractive because it speaks to some of our deepest moral instincts:
- Care/Harm: Protecting the vulnerable.
- Fairness/Cheating: Fighting for justice and equality.
- Loyalty/Betrayal: Belonging to a group that stands against betrayal.
- Liberty/Oppression: Resisting domination and promoting freedom.
These are good and God-given instincts. But in this worldview, they often come with a hidden demand: If you don’t agree with me, you can’t truly love me.
Jesus Shows a Different Way
This is where Christians can offer something radically different. Jesus consistently connected with people outside the “tribal line”—Samaritans, tax collectors, lepers, Roman soldiers. He didn’t erase differences or compromise truth. But He also didn’t withhold love.
Jesus shows us that connection doesn’t require agreement—it requires authenticity, compassion, and respect.
How We Can Connect Across Differences
1. Anchor in Christ
When your identity is secure in Him, you don’t have to feel threatened by someone else’s disagreement.
2. Practice Authenticity and Curiosity
Brené Brown reminds us that real connection requires authenticity. Don’t hide your faith, but don’t bulldoze others either. Be curious: “Tell me more about how you see this.”
3. Release the Pressure to Convince
Our role isn’t to win arguments, but to love people. We can honor others’ choices without affirming every belief.
4. Hold Truth and Love Together
Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” We need both, not one at the expense of the other.
5. Replace Fear with Compassion
Fear makes difference feel dangerous. Love makes difference an opportunity for connection.
A Better Way Forward
The culture often tells us: “If you don’t affirm me, you reject me.” But the Gospel offers a better way: “Because Christ loves me, I am free to love you—even when we don’t agree.”
This is what Kathy Mellor and I explored in our conversation: how these powerful worldviews shape the way people think, and how Christians can respond with authenticity, compassion, and courage. When we follow Christ’s example, we don’t need to choose between truth or connection. We can bring both. And in doing so, we reflect the heart of Jesus—loving people well, while holding fast to the truth that sets us free.