Relativism Three Basic Forms 1 Cognitive all truth

Relativism Three Basic Forms: 1. Cognitive – all truth is relative 2. Moral / Ethical – all morals relative to the social group where they are constructed 3. Situational – Ethics (right & wrong) dependent upon the situation

What is Relativism? Relative: “Not absolute or existing by itself; considered as belonging to or respecting something else. ” (Webster’s)

Forms of Relativism in the Church “Man does not have the capacity to make proper judgments. ” How used- alcohol, licentious activity, & anywhere a Christian would have to ‘judge’ “The meaning of words is relative & cannot be absolute. ” Since words can & do change meanings, cannot be absolutely sure of our understanding. How used – “homosexual” “female submission” any command people do not appreciate

Forms of Relativism in the Church “Man does not have the capacity to make proper judgments. ” How used- alcohol, licentious activity, & anywhere a Christian would have to ‘judge’ “The meaning of words is relative & cannot be absolute. ” Since words can & do change meanings, cannot be absolutely sure of our understanding. How used – “homosexual” “female submission” any command people do not appreciate

Forms of Relativism in the Church “What is right to you does not need to be right for me. ” Protagoran concept – “man is the measure of all things. ”(Protagoras, 490 -420 BC) How used- when someone does not want to obey the Scriptures & wants to do their own thing What do the Scriptures say about such things?

A Response to Relativism IF I say a man cannot make right judgments… is that not a judgment in and of itself? Therefore, either man Can make right judgments, or it is a False Statement to say a man cannot make Right Judgments. IF I say meaning of words is relative & not absolute… is that not an absolute statement? Also asserts words I have written have meaning enough that you understand.

A Response to Relativism Socrates {4 th Century BC} disproved third form of relativism by demonstrating that if I say you are false, that means you are false, since my judgment is the proper judgment. All forms defy 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 X cannot exist.

A Response to Relativism Can A Man Judge? Scriptures Command it – John 7: 24 “judge with righteous judgment” Galatians 5: 19 -23 “and the like” What are they? Does this not require a judgment call? 2 Timothy 2: 15 “rightly dividing” Does this not require proper judgment? 1 John 4: 1 “test the spirits” Testing a form of judgment?

A Response to Relativism Can A Man Judge? Scriptures Command it – John 7: 24 “judge with righteous judgment” We are to judge according to the same standard by which we would be judged – the Word of God Matthew 7: 1, 2 “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; & with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”

Are Words Relative? Meanings of words can be understood through inter-textual use & secular use in the same time period Matthew 24: 35 “My words will by no means pass away” Mark 8: 38 “ashamed of Me & My Words” Words have meaning & we will be justified or condemned on what we do with Jesus’ Words

Is Truth Relative? John 14: 6 “the way, the truth & the life” Not “A” truth, but “THE” truth! Ephesians 1: 13 “the word of truth = gospel” Galatians 1: 6 -9 “any other gospel” “accursed” IF the Gospel is Truth, & there is only One True Gospel, must be only ONE Truth! God has only established One form of Truth for Mankind – each & every person is amenable to that One Truth

Relativism Based on Faulty Principles & in Contradiction with God’s Word The statement “There are no absolute truths” is an absolute statement which is supposed to be true. Therefore, it is an absolute truth, & the statement is false.

Relativism Based on Faulty Principles & in Contradiction with God’s Word IF there are no absolute truths, you cannot believe anything absolutely, including that there are no absolute truths. Therefore, nothing could be true for you – including Relativism

Relativism Based on Faulty Principles & in Contradiction with God’s Word Asserting words are relative in meaning is a useless statement. IF this is true, how can we know what anyone means when they speak or write?

God’s Words are by No Means Relative Romans 1: 16 “gospel of Christ” “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” God established there is but ONE TRUTH, & that through Jesus Christ! That Truth has been proclaimed for 2, 000 years!