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Relativism

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

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Relativism

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

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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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?

  6. 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.

  7. A Response to Relativism Socrates {4th 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.

  8. 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?

  9. 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”

  10. 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” Wordshave meaning & we will be justified or condemned on what we do with Jesus’ Words Are Words Relative?

  11. 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 Is Truth Relative?

  12. 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.

  13. 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

  14. 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?

  15. 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!

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