The movement of Christianity outside of conservative Christianity is evident. It is post-modernism. It is relativism. And, you must admit, it really does sound nice. It is fundamentally "Why can't we all just get along?" Here's the basic view that is espoused. "Look, it's okay. You believe what you want to believe. I'll believe what I want to believe. We're all just travelers on this road to spirituality. We all are right in our perception of the truth as we see it." Now, if I could, I just gather around the fire, sing a warm verse of Kumbaya or two, and join in the group hug. The problem is ... I can't.
My first problem is the absolute violation of logic. Here's how it goes:
Bob: "Hey, John, you believe what you want to believe. I'll believe what I want to believe. We're all just travelers on this road to spirituality. We all are right in our perception of the truth as we see it."
John: "Bob, I think you're wrong."
Bob: "Well, then, you're right; I'm wrong. And I'm right; I'm right."
You see, that makes no sense. Bob can't be right and wrong. Or, in standard Aristotelian Logic (not "Christian"), a thing cannot be both A and not A at the same time and in the same sense. If Bob believes that Jesus was God Incarnate and John believes that He was not, both cannot be right. Both can be wrong, but both cannot be right. It's not a matter of fundamentalism or "inspiration of Scripture" or "religious viewpoints". It's a simple matter of logic. And while we might like to say, "We all are right in our perception of the truth as we see it", you know, so we can all get along, it just doesn't work. It defies reason.
There is a second problem that, to me, is actually quite amusing. There are so many trying to argue, "Maybe we're all right." Doesn't it strike you as odd that they are making the argument? Here's the deal. If it is true that we are all right in our perception of the truth as we see it, then no one can tell us we are wrong. And if you espouse that view, you of all people can't be telling other people they're wrong. And yet how many times do you see people posting and printing the argument that people who disagree with that position are wrong? That, my friends, is a contradiction. If you believe that we are all right, then you have no reason to argue that anyone is wrong. If I believe that you are wrong in that position, you have no reason to argue that I am wrong in my position because your view is that everyone is right. Of course, you can't actually hold that view because that would make you wrong ... which, of course, can't be the case because everyone is right ... which, of course, makes me right ... oh, it's all very confusing.
People will always act on what they actually believe. If they actually believe that something is right and something else is wrong, they will act on that belief and defend what they believe to be right. No amount of "We're all right" will erase that fact. If someone tries to argue that truth is relative, then they have no grounds on which to argue that anyone is wrong. If they argue that someone is wrong, then they're arguing that truth isn't relative. It can't be both ways. And when someone argues that someone else is wrong, they are affirming the basic and intrinsic belief that there are things that are true regardless of individual perceptions. Bottom line: If there are actually people who actually believe that truth is relative and we are all right in our perceptions of what we believe to be true ... I don't want them to be taking my money at the checkout line. "Well, you think you gave me a $20, but I think you gave me a $10, so here's the change for a $10. Too bad." Yeah ... that won't work for me. And, of course, the eternal consequences of being wrong about Christianity are far worse than being short-changed.
3 comments:
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. The only thing that could come out of moral relativism and postmodernism is corruption followed by insanity.
Great writing.
I agree with Jim - great stuff.
I'm taking a class on Intro to Theology right now, and much of what you have written here could have come straight off the lesson plan.
There is no question that the problem of postmodernism and it's standard bearer, relativism, pose a real threat to our churches today. We've all seen it firsthand (and exchanged some stories in the past) whether it be outside of the church or within.
I think it was Chuck Colson who said this, but not sure:
"Christian's today cannot work with the same assumptions that we did just 20 years ago. At that time, people would join you in your search for absolute truth. It is different now. Today, before we begin to lead people to the truth of Jesus Christ, we may have to lead them to the truth of the truth. Common ground must be created before the Gospel can be proclaimed"
Sharing the Gospel with someone of the relativist mindset just doesn't have the staying power of someone who is already convinced that there is truth and that it can be known to some degree of certainty.
Blessings,
Scott
More thoughts on this. Relativism within the church occurs in many ways - and leads to serious errors... errors that can be made without relativistic tendencies, but are much easier reached with them.
Of course, we've all dealt with Universalism, or the idea that all people, good or bad, will eventually make it to heaven. Pluralsim is another spin, which states that there are many ways to God, all equally valid. Syncretism is the assimilation of differng beliefs and practices (a recent Hollywood fave). And Inclusivism, perhaps the easiest to fall prey to, is the belief that salvation is only through Christ, but that Christ may be "revealed" in other religions. I've recently read writings of scholars, professing Christians, who entertain one or more of these as being valid. Scary.
If there is no truth - isn't that a truth?
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