Moral relativism is one in all those concepts that will be deceptively dangerous if Christians let it affect their spiritual walk. According to Clarence L. Haynes, Jr., one in all the sneaky dangers of ethical relativism is that “it might subtly undermine moral absolutes and impact the steadfastness of ethical convictions we anchor ourselves to as followers of Christ.”
So, how do modern Christians avoid the potential traps of this mindset? First, we’d like to teach ourselves on what moral relativism is and have a look at it in light of the scriptures. Next, we’d like to know where we stand on issues. Finally, we’d like to know the way to communicate our stand to people in a loving manner.
What Does Moral Relativism Really Mean?
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, moral relativism is “related to an empirical thesis that there are deep and widespread moral disagreements and a metaethical thesis that the reality or justification of ethical judgments is just not absolute, but relative to some group of individuals.” Basically, it means that individuals make moral decisions based on things like traditions or culture because they don’t consider in absolute truth.
For example, saying that polygamy is fallacious could also be true in a single culture but not in one other. While some traditions related to culture could also be a matter of selection, equivalent to whether to lift your hands in a worship service, others conflict with biblical truth. For further discussion take a look at this text on cultural relativism. For this text, let’s deal with moral relativism overall.
The major argument rests on the existence of absolute truth. Haynes’s article discusses the difference between absolute and relative truth intimately, but the underside line is that absolute truth is true regardless of how you are feeling or give it some thought. Relative truth implies that truth can change based on the person.
Does Moral Relativism Fit Christian Morality?
The world operates within the mindset of two Timothy 3:1-4:
But know this, that within the last days perilous times will come: For men will likely be lovers of themselves, lovers of cash, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to oldsters, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of excellent, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of delight relatively than lovers of God.
They follow Judges 21:25, doing what is correct in their very own eyes. This is the idea of ethical relativism, having the ability to do what you wish and saying it is suitable regardless of who it hurts in the long term. 2 Timothy 3:7 goes on to say that although men pursue learning, they never come to the knowledge of the reality.
As Christians, we glance to the Bible for truth:
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the person of God could also be complete, thoroughly equipped for each good work.”
- John 17:17 proclaims that God’s word is truth.
- John 1:17 says, “or the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth got here through Jesus Christ.”
- John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I’m the way in which, the reality, and the life. No one involves the Father except through Me.”
For further reading, take a look at this BibleStudyTools.com article on Bible Verses About Truth. The Bible comprises many verses on truth, none referring to man because the source. God is true, and He sent Jesus because the embodiment of the Truth in order that we could possibly be reconciled to God. If we would like to know the reality, we must read the Bible because God doesn’t change. He is identical yesterday, today, and ceaselessly (Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:8).
What Makes Moral Relativism So Attractive?
Human beings have all the time been liable to self-centeredness. We want what we would like when we would like it and are willing to justify it by any means essential. It’s especially attractive after we see it as being tolerant and open to individuals who consider otherwise than we do. Society has come to equate tolerance with love and disagreement with hate. Yet tolerance is just not the other of disagreement. Even the dictionary gives conflicting definitions of tolerance. According to Dictionary.com, it means each:
- a good, respectful, and permissive attitude or policy toward people whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins, etc., differ from one’s own or from those of the bulk; freedom from bigotry and from an insistence on conformity:
- the act of passively allowing something, especially something fallacious, by failing to stop or stop it; toleration.
People are willing to tolerate another person’s truth until it affects them. Then it becomes unacceptable or unfair. For example, we are saying people have the precise to consider whatever they need; nonetheless, if you happen to and a neighbor are of a distinct race, and your neighbor thinks his race is best, you’d say that was fallacious. Their “truth” isn’t any longer acceptable to you.
How Can We Explain Moral Relativism’s Problems to People?
The problem with moral relativism is that it’s a slippery slope into chaos. If we actually intend to make a difference in society, debating might be not the most effective route because we’re speaking of spiritual things, they usually are talking about philosophy.
We see the Bible as truth, and once they asked Jesus which was the best commandment, he said:
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your mind.’ This is the primary and great commandment. And the second is prefer it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all of the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
If we love God and love one another, then we’ll obey the laws of God because they were created out of God’s love for us. If we would like people to see the reality, then we’d like to live out Christ’s command to us:
“A latest commandment I give to you, that you simply love each other; as I even have loved you, that you furthermore mght love each other. By this all will know that you simply are My disciples, if you will have love for each other.” (John 13:34-35)
When we love people the way in which God does, people will need to know more. John 8:32 tells us that when unbelievers come to Jesus, they arrive to the reality. It is the Truth that sets them free. All we are able to do is be a light-weight within the darkness and point them toward Christ.
The best method to handle moral relativism is just not by debating and getting indignant. The best way is to immerse yourself within the Bible to know the Truth of God and love those around you. When issues in regards to the topic come up, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in what to say. John 16:33 tells us that the Spirit of Truth will lead and show us what to say.
Moral Relativism says that truth is whatever you make it out to be, but that creates chaos built on self-centeredness and greed. Truth is, by definition, “agreement with a normal or original; a verified or proven fact, proposition, principle, or the like” (as Dictionary.com puts it). Truth exists separate from our own desires. Ultimately, all and sundry must select what they consider, but their belief doesn’t change the reality.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Daria Grushina
Linda Lyle is a author, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, in addition to multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is about to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
