A Biblical Perspective on Life’s Purpose in the Age of Postmodernism

By David Kondru

The purpose of the book is to revitalize the essentials of Christian living in a way God wants us to be especially when the bible based moral values and the absolute truths to establish the meaning of life were degraded and whitewashed in this postmodern world. At this juncture, it is a definite need to search for hidden and forgotten Judeo-Christian values that define the meaning of human life and its worth in the eyes of the Living God. Its sole purpose is to know Who God is and His standard of living when this world is influenced and reshaped by cultural darkness, revolutions and counter revolutions that are antithetical to the bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664215238

David Kondru

David Kondru works as Systems Engineer at FCA – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Auburn Hills, MI. Prior to joining in FCA, he worked as Faculty member for 7 years in Teaching and Research for Ohio University, U.S.A., and JNT University, India. Although David is an Engineer and a Faculty member, nothing stirs his heart other than sharing the love and forgiveness of God in Christ. In his testimony, when there are lot of scars left on his heart, when he is still the prisoner of his past, and in his life journey from tower of emotional trauma to his personal conviction of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he found only Jesus can fill the emptiness of his heart and with His signature on his soul to set him free. With this personal conviction and with the life of meaning and purpose he found in Jesus, David shared the love of God with many undergrad and grad students, and coworkers to lead them to Christ. Moreover, his passion and zeal is toward college campus ministry to share the life’s transformation experience in Christ with young minds.

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Copyright © 2021 David Kondru.

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Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-1522-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1521-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1523-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020924312

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/21/2020

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 The Creation

Chapter 2 The Covenant

Chapter 3 The Choice

Chapter 4 The Commandment

Chapter 5 The Cost

Chapter 6 The Counsel

Chapter 7 The Christ

Appendix A

Preface

While writing this book, I was a grad student at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Beginning with Summer 2018, I spent almost seven months to finish the abridged version of this book besides my research. I could have finished a doctoral dissertation during this period, however, the passion and the zeal to write this book is to bring at least one soul to the kingdom of God. Sitting alone in coffee shops, restaurants on Court Street in Athens and in my office, I wrote this book with an intention to provide the deeper meaning of life and its purpose defined by God. Moreover, this book is written based on the first five books of the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In essence, a Judeo-Christian perspective on Life’s purpose in the age of postmodernism is presented in this book.

Some of my friends call me Mr. Court Street because they see me spending most of my time on court street shops and restaurants, but, they actually don’t know that I sit alone and write this book with coffee working late nights. Court Street in Athens is a place of sheer spontaneity for cocktails, countries top brews, live music and salsa dancing. It is a place to get lost in the spirit of wine and beer. So, not only in my case, in general people quite often put a label and build an image or an impression based on the outward appearance of an individual. In addition, the reality of the truth associated with an individual inward appearance is missing. Similarly, we all live in a world where the objective morality embedded with the absolute truth is surrounded by the bodyguard of false assumptions and theories through which we cannot able to define the meaning and the purpose of life.

Any nation, whose governing laws were founded by God-fearing people with a basic understanding of Christian outlook on moral values and life’s principles, can set the course to establish and maintain the freedom and justice. Undoubtedly, the United States of America is such a kind of nation, albeit, not all the founding fathers were Christians but they truly acknowledged the significance of biblical truths and incorporated them into legislative process and judicial systems for enrichment of life. Utilizing the freedom of religion, Christianity has flourished and churches increased in leaps and bounds. In fact, obeying the call of the Lords greatest commission in light of the gospel, America has sent many missionaries to proclaim the truth of Christ to many countries that are spiritually darken. Consequently, God has blessed the nation and indeed America has become a beacon of hope to the rest of the world. However, with the advent of dark agendas and advocating its shocking manifestos over the past few decades, the objective morality embedded with the absolute truths of the bible has been camouflaged by the wrong notions, self-destructive philosophies and flawed theories through which we cannot able to define the meaning and the purpose of life defined by God.

Living in the world of foul language, violence and sensuality, understanding the reality of life and its purpose has become uncertain. Everyone is searching for something relative to themselves without knowing the absolute truth. Many people are tossed and blown by the ambiguous false belief systems that are most convincing and satisfying to their needs and circumstances. For instance, sex is seen as a pleasure seeking phenomenon outside the boundaries of marriage but not with an absolute truth that God designed sex as a blessing and with a purpose within inside the boundaries of marriage. The objective morality with absolute truth has become inaccessible to the human investigation. Man is merely considered as a social animal with his limited knowledge to be the social constructive. In postmodern world, the reality is determined based on what an individual or a social ethnic group demands or commands without a standard point of reference by which there is no place for Judeo-Christian values which are very root of America’s democracy.

Denying God in the postmodern world is not based on the lack of scientific evidence to prove the existence of God, but because their lack of faith to believe in the existence of God although the creation reveals Who God is and What He is. Consequently, the reality is viewed as a social, philosophical and psychological human though process without giving any account to the universal truth whose origin is from the Bible. When man is believed to be constructed as a multiplicity of social-selves such as race, culture, ethnicity, education etc in this postmodern world, one cannot define Who I am? Nevertheless, the Bible gives a clear cut definition for man as an image of God, who is created in His own Being with an intrinsic worth, unified with Christ for a plan and purpose. When one cannot define the meaning and the purpose of being a human, it is absolutely imprudence to give a thought of removing the core biblical principles and transcendent features integrated with the Western Law that grew with Judeo-Christian Enlightenment.

We have seen and heard people raising their voices asking intense questions on the problem of evil, pain and suffering, and conclude that God would pervert justice. The consequences of problem of suffering are being considered as the absence of God or that God is dead. Moreover, the concept of economics interventionism is believed to be a solution to assuage human suffering in the postmodern world. But, the Bible presents the suffering, when it doesn’t always come as a result of sin, as a season to draw close to God and to understand His methods that are too wonderful to attain. Moreover, suffering in life is not to be feared, it is only to be understood. The book of Job in the bible explains the same theory although it resembles the nature of God more than the problem of suffering. When suffering can be used for higher good, it is hard to understand that God’s pruning is painful to make us fruitful.

Like most of the people, we have gone through the seasons of pain and suffering, but unlike some people in the postmodern world, who think that meaninglessness comes from the weary of pain, it is absolutely true that vanity and emptiness comes from being weary of worldly pleasures and does not come from being weary of pain and suffering. The purpose and the meaning of life is defined not when we have worldly things to take pleasure in it, but, when we don’t have anything except searing pain and agony in our lives. During those seasons we realize what is true love and true forgiveness which is found only on the cross of Jesus Christ. In the present era of postmodern culture, where people with their diluted mindset cannot define the life and its purpose with objective morality imbibed from absolute truths of the bible, this book has been written with deep compassion to present on how one could understand that Judeo-Christian values are fundamental and it is the only worldview that defines the value of human life and its purpose in the eyes of God.

Therefore, the purpose of the book is to revitalize the essentials of Christian living in a way God wants us to be especially when the bible based moral values and the absolute truths to establish the meaning of life were degraded and whitewashed in this postmodern world. At this juncture, it is a definite need to search for hidden and forgotten Judeo-Christian values that define the meaning of human life and its worth in the eyes of the Living God. Its sole purpose is to know Who God is and His standard of living when this world is influenced and reshaped by cultural darkness, revolutions and counter revolutions that are antithetical to the bible.

In this postmodern world, when it’s hard to understand the Creation and the fall of man, when the Gods covenant-relationship with man is seen as conditional, when we struggle to make choices and unable to perceive its dangerous consequences, when the commandments of God that serve as the solid foundation for the constitution is seen as a barrier, when the concept of sin and grace is seen as irrational, when the counsel and the wisdom of God is biased, and when it is hard to understand the only hope for the mankind is in the person of Jesus Christ who is the only way, the truth and the life, the need for Life’s Purpose in the age of Postmodernism is written to serve as a connecting tool to comprehend the plan and purpose of God in a comprehensive approach of seven chapters. Now, how does this book addresses this approach?

Well, one should understand the beginning where literally everything begins. The first chapter "The Creation" opens with a Science and Faith dialogue that describes Who God is, the purpose of man and woman, and the origin of evil. The reader should note that the mind of God, His plans and purpose for His creation is elaborated, so that, if one could understand the intention of God, it is easy to draw ourselves toward God to define the meaning and the purpose of life. However, the theological questions such as why God created Adam first? Why not Eve? Why God took six days and why not one day? Why Saturn came to Eve first and why not Adam? all these questions are not addressed as they are beyond the scope of this book.

The second chapter "The Covenant" presents on how God establishes His binding relationship with mankind through His promises. The chapter is meant to present that God is faithful even though we are unfaithful. His promises are irrevocable. Also, most of the people who believe in Gods promises do not realize that they have to face troubles, doubts and suspicions which make them unfaithful in Gods promises. Most often, people believe that the life would be smooth and easy under the will of God and that may not be true at all. It presents how to have an unshakeable faith in Gods promises in the midst of trials and testing.

The third chapter "The Choice" explains the dangerous consequences of our daily choices in this pleasure seeking world. It presents why choices matter a lot and how they could impact our life’s purpose. The questions to our amazement like why God sometimes choose the unworthy people to accomplish His plans and purpose are also presented. Moreover, the choice of interfaith marriage and the Gods institution of marriage is compared and illustrated.

The fourth chapter "The Commandment" describes the necessity of the Ten Commandments in the postmodern world upon which the life’s purpose can be deeply rooted and weighed on objective morality to establish a peaceful society with social harmony. When everyone is building their life upon their own ivory tower of reasoning without absolute truth and standard, this chapter comes with a point of reference ingrained with truth and morality that serve as a solid foundation for the betterment of heart, mind and soul.

The fifth chapter "The Cost" deals with the sin as a cancer and grace as a substitute. The difference of opinions on Fact vs Feeling based phenomena of sin and grace is viewed and presented. It also presents the importance of purity and holiness, and the true meaning of sacrifice that requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit which is pleasing to God.

The sixth chapter "The Counsel" details why everyone needs Godly counsel surrounded by mixed emotions of fear and frailty of life. Why Bible condemns the forbidden practices that discredit the counsel of God in the postmodern word. It is necessary for the reader to note that the spiritual counseling presented in the chapter six is Biblical counseling and not any other. Moreover, the soul and the spirit are used interchangeably as synonymous terms.

Finally, seek and pursue Jesus for He will never fail you. This is all about the seventh chapter "The Christ – The Only Way". The beauty and splendor of Jesus is that He is the only person Who died for the sins of the world and rose again for which He has given us the assurance of salvation and to be with Him eternally in heaven. Many great conquerors and great rulers were in the history before and after Jesus but no one have laid down the strong foundation for love, forgiveness and renewed hope than the person of Jesus Christ. Behold, He made all things new and beautiful by bridging the gap of silence between God and mankind. Jesus is the way finder to heaven, the embodiment of truth, and the true giver of life apart from Whom there is no other.

In order to understand the purpose of life defined by God, the relationship between God and the nation of Israel based on the first five books of the Bible is presented. Most of the people believe that Bible is written by a man, but not, for it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The reader should note that Israel was taken as an example and God could use anyone. Though most of the insights are based on the life journey of Israelites, it applies to all because those who are Abraham’s seed belong to Christ. I welcome and honor the constructive criticism because Bible says it is hard to follow Jesus and whoever hates Jesus hates the one who follows Him. Moreover, no criticism is offered in this book to any person, or a theory or a religion but whatever the Bible abhors it is abhorred and whatever it admits it is admitted. The reader must note

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty

deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the

basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ"

Colossians 2:8

"When there are lot of scars left on my heart, when I am

still the prisoner of my past, Jesus filled the emptiness of my

heart and with His signature on my soul to set me free"

David Kondru

Dedicated to the one who is willing to define

the life’s purpose in the eyes of God

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1

THE CREATION

The creation reveals the plan and the purpose of God

The Catechism

Have you ever wondered about the Earth’s address in the extraterrestrial vastness? Is there a way to envision our place in a nested hierarchy of structure? Are we the handiwork of a benevolent Creator harboring life on this eco-friendly planet with plenty of natural resources? How and why are we designed with distinguishing qualities and characteristics that makes us unique? Who gave us the innate abilities to exchange complex thoughts and ideas? What is our purpose and providence, and is it imperative to ascertain the meaning of life intimately unified with a supreme God? Since the dawn of history, these have been the few fundamental mind-boggling questions encountered by many rational thinkers, astronomers and scientists.

One of the eminent professors in our era is Stephen Hawking, a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, who was the director of the Theoretical Cosmology Research Center at the University of Cambridge. His best-selling landmark volume, The Grand Design, profoundly presents the abiding mysteries of the universe with much brilliance and austerity. He claims ¹According to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. We ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe, and quantum theory predicts the ‘multiverse’—the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. He concludes with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a ‘theory of everything’: the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason¹.

However, Professor Hawking doesn’t claim that God doesn’t exist. Eventually, he affirmed in his exotic realm, A Brief History of Time: ²If we do discover a complete theory (that explains everything), it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of question of why it is that we and the universe exist. He concludes, If we find answers to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we would know the mind of God². Why does such a renowned professor have to comprehend the intellectual design of God and His creative mind? How can we make sense of God in the post-modern age? Understanding the mind of God and His existence is a fundamental premise of faith. But, the reconciliation of science with faith is a predicament. The following example illustrates the disparity between these two orthogonal contradictions.

Faith vs Science

Generally, the perennial science faith dialogue is always pivoted on the evidence of and belief in the existence of God. Science deals with dimensions of reality perceived directly or indirectly through normal human channels of perception using standard functioning of sensory faculties, whereas, belief in God is more rational and judicious on a simple paradigm shift in thinking. We all agree that science is the collective intellectual effort by the human mind to grasp all the aspects of the perceived reality in terms of conceptual categories using mathematical analysis and ingenious instruments. The objective of science is to dig deep into natural world for inspections and investigations, whereas, God’s objective for us is to be rooted in the love of Christ Jesus in this fallen world and to establish a firm faith until His Second Coming. One cannot understand the strategy of God with scientific tools and experimental procedures. Science’s domain explores and fails to reveal the nature of the human heart, in which only the Spirit of the living God searches the depths of our hearts and reveals its true nature. Does it mean faith and science are incompatible? Are they enemies? Do they conflict with each other? Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, is an American physician-geneticist and one of the world’s leading scientists. In