The popular TV series NCIS displays an interesting paradox. In the basement where the medical examiner and forensic scientist work, the worldview is modernism. Modernism is based on the belief that truth exists and can be empirically discovered. (Notwithstanding the gothic dress of the forensic scientist and her interest in the paranormal, she is a committed modernist in her work.) Modernists believe in absolutes—absolute truth and timeless universal principles that govern the physical world.

The investigators, whose cubicles are located on the upper floors, are modernists in their approach to solving cases. But ethically, they reflect postmodern thinking. Moral decisions are not made based on timeless universal principles of right and wrong, but on personal preferences. Lying, stealing, deception, divorce, cohabitation, fornication, and adultery are not issues of right and wrong, but are simply choices. Getting into trouble means that you got caught, not that you committed a sin. Each person defines his or her values and therefore there are no absolutes. Though the last statement is self-contradictory, it is postmodern.

This mixture of modernism and postmodernism depicted in NCIS is a popular worldview today.

As much as possible, individuals prefer the postmodern worldview because it appeals to mankind’s proclivity to be humanists, that is, to play god. Since the fall of man recorded in Genesis 3, mankind has desired to be autonomous. We humans love to make up our own rules of life and disdain submitting to rules made by God.

At the same time, we humans believe that there are timeless universal principles that facilitate orderly living, such as, the laws of gravity, electricity and magnetism, and thermodynamics.

From my experience in business and in the Christian community, my observation is that the vast majority of people, even professing Christians, have adopted the modern/postmodern worldview depicted on NCIS. It is the default worldview of the culture in North America and Europe. Indeed, it may be the default worldview of the majority of the developed world.

If this is true, businesses are faced with an enormous challenge. To deliver consistently excellent value propositions, organizations must operate each day based on timeless universal principles. Furthermore, customers worldwide want to do business with organizations that unwaveringly practice ethical absolutes such as truth, honesty, integrity, excellence, faithfulness, and trustworthiness. Timeless universal principles and values are critical, therefore, to organizational success.

Many—if not most—of the workers hired by organizations do not share this worldview, however, particularly in regard to ethics. Workers today tend to be postmodern. They want to define right and wrong for themselves.

If the God of the Bible created the universe and made the absolute rules for his universe and blesses those who submit to his rules, then obedience to his timeless universal principles facilitates divine blessings for both individuals and organizations. This is indeed the testimony of the text above.

The challenge for management who embrace timeless universal principles of organizational behavior is how to effectively utilize workers who don’t fully believe in these principles.

Here is your business tip. If you want your organization to enjoy divine blessings, you must learn and practice God’s timeless universal principles for organizational behavior. Furthermore, the people you hire must also learn and practice these principles. If your organization is committed to delivering an outstanding value proposition, then everyone in the organization must find “great delight” in God’s timeless universal principles. To facilitate this reality in your organization, management must be committed to training and discipleship as tools to facilitate learning and practicing these principles.