Relativism I. Introduction A. Relativism a major philosophical force in the late twentieth century 1. one of the major tenets of postmodern philosophy 2. seen everywhere, and even in Christianity in modified forms B. Even some in churches of Christ beginning to exhibit forms of relativism 1. methodology of interpretation 2. "situation ethics" C. What is relativism? 1. definition of relative: "Not absolute or existing by itself; considered as belonging to or respecting something else," (Webster's) 2. emphasis today on the first two words: "not absolute." D. Let us see how relativism is entering churches today II. Forms of Relativism A. First Form: "Man does not have the capacity to make proper judgments." 1. the idea that man is not capable of rendering true judgment 2. foundational principle: man has imperfect understanding, therefore whatever understanding he may come to may not be correct, therefore cannot be bound 3. how used: alcohol, licentious activity, anywhere else a Christian would have to judge B. Second form: "The meaning of words is relative and cannot be absolute." 1. the idea that since language is a system of communication completely dependent on the understanding between groups of people, such understanding may not necessarily be understood properly at a later time by people speaking different languages 2. foundational principle: since words can and do change in their meanings as they are used, we cannot be absolutely sure of our understanding of these terms 3. how used: "homosexual acts," "female submission," whenever there is a command that people do not appreciate C. Third form: "What is right to you does not need to be right for me." 1. the idea that we all have our own standards and that we are all amenable to only our own standards 2. foundational principle: the Protagoran concept that "man is the measure of all things" 3. how used: whenever someone does not want to obey the Scriptures and wants to do their own thing D. What, then, do the Scriptures say about such things? III. A Response to Relativism A. All principles of relativism are self-contradictory 1. If I say that a man cannot make right judgments, is that not a judgment in and of itself, and therefore either man can make right judgments or that it is a false statement to say that man cannot make right judgments? 2. If I say that the meaning of words is relative and not absolute, is that not only an absolute statement but do I not also assert that the words I have written (spoken) have meaning enough that you understand what they mean? 3. Socrates in the fourth century BCE disproved the third form of relativism by merely demonstrating that if I say that you are false, that means you are false, since my judgment is the proper judgment. 4. All forms of relativism defy the Aristotelian concept of the Law of Non-Contradiction: if x has being, then x cannot have non-being. Or, if x exists, it is not possible to say that x cannot exist B. Can man judge? 1. The Scriptures command the Christian to judge a. Galatians 5:19-23: what are the "and things like these?" Does that not necessitate a judgment call? b. 2 Timothy 2:15: does not "handling aright the word of truth" require proper judgment concerning the Scriptures? c. 1 John 4:1: is not "testing" a form of judgment? 2. We are to judge according to the same standard we would be judged, the Word of God (cf. Matthew 7:1-2) 3. Many other examples could be given, but these shall suffice to show that the Christian certainly can—and in fact must—judge properly. C. Are words relative? 1. While words certainly can change in meaning, words can be understood and recognized even long after they are written a. Bible was copied and translated continuously throughout the past 2,000 years b. Meanings of words can be understood through not only inter-textual use but also with other works written in the same language 2. The Scriptures speak of the duration of Jesus' words a. Matthew 24:35: Jesus has promised that His "words" will not pass away b. Mark 8:38: those ashamed of His words will be condemned 3. Words do have meaning, and we will be justified or condemned on what we do with Jesus’ words D. Is truth relative? 1. God has spoken clearly and said that truth is not relative a. John 14:6: Jesus is THE truth. Not a truth, but THE truth. b. Ephesians 1:13 + Galatians 1:6-9: If the Gospel is truth, and there is only one true Gospel, then there must be only one truth 2. God has only established one form of truth for mankind, and each and every person is amenable to that one truth IV. Conclusion A. Relativism is based on faulty principles and is in contradiction with God’s Word 1. Saying a man cannot judge is a judgment in and of itself, and we assuredly must judge 2. Asserting that words are relative in meaning is a useless statement if words truly are relative in meaning; God’s words are by no means relative and can save 3. Asserting that truth is relative to each person is also contradictory, and God has established that there is but one truth, and that through Jesus Christ B. That truth has been proclaimed for 2,000 years C. Assuredly Jesus is the truth, and that truth can set you free from your sin. There are no other forms of absolute truth for you to discover save through Jesus Christ; accept His work for you on the cross and come in obedient faith to Him now as we stand and sing