Contrary to current public opinion, there is such a thing as absolute truth, and it is found in the Bible.

Followers of Jesus understand the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the post-modern notion of “tolerance” (moral relativism).  We need to dedicate ourselves to using scripture as our guide to absolute truth and we need to learn how to deal with those who reject Biblical truth.

This current prevailing philosophy teaches that there is no absolute truth, and that all philosophies, all religions, and all opinions are equally valid, with no way to distinguish one as being morally superior to others. This philosophy is taught in our public schools, universities, and promoted in our media; there is nothing that is true everywhere, and that everything is true somewhere.

Tolerance is dangerous because it is an intellectually and morally bankrupt anti-Christian philosophy which pulls the foundations of our society out from under us. Sooner or later, there are dire consequences.

When it comes to knowing what is true, we can either follow the world’s advice or follow God’s Word, and the source we use for truth and instruction in our lives will either lead us to clarity or confusion.

Believers need to embrace the following three objectives:
1. Think critically about the whole notion of moral relativism.
2. Commit to following the Bible as the sure source of moral absolutes.
3. Learn how to deal with those who reject Biblical truth.

For starters let us consider the following statistics…

According to a survey done by Barna Research back in 2001, about three-fourths of all adults in America rejected the idea that there are absolute moral truths. Most Americans believe that all truth is relative to the situation and the individuals involved. Similarly, at least 80% of teens embrace the same position regarding moral truths. Not only did more than 4 out of 5 teenagers say there is no absolute moral truth, 4 out of 5 also claim that nobody can know for certain whether or not they actually know what truth is.  Only 6% of teens and 9% of born-again teens believe in moral absolutes.  Clearly, the church is missing something and is in serious trouble! It is past the time to start speaking up about the problems inherent in moral relativism.

WHY IS MORAL RELATIVISM INTELLECTUALLY AND MORALLY BANKRUPT?

1. If there is no absolute truth in spiritual matters, we are forced to accept contradictory “truths”.

Example:
Jesus claimed He is the only truth and only way to God - that no one can come to the Father except through Him.  Islam claims that Christianity is false.

How can they both be true? They cannot be true for some and not for others - they make claims of exclusivity.  Jesus did not qualify His remarks by saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life for Palestinian Jews and Western Europeans.”  He claimed to be the only way for everybody.

Islam declares that Israel should be destroyed. Pacifism would reject that.  Which is right?  Why should I listen to your religious philosophy if mine is just as valid, even if it means I have moral freedom, and maybe even a moral obligation to kill others in the name of my religion or philosophy?  Mutually exclusive viewpoints cannot both be true. One must be right and the other wrong.

We must be willing to consider the option that though it may be difficult to discover the truth, truth does still exist.  But an even bigger problem arises from the idea that there are no moral absolutes…

2. If there is no absolute moral truth, there is no basis for morality.

Consider this example:
The setting: A thief is casing a jewelry store so he can rob it. He has entered it to check out any visible alarm settings, locks, layout, etc. In the process, he has unexpectedly gotten involved in a discussion with the owner of the jewelry store whose hobby is the study of philosophy and believes that truth and morals are relative.

"So," says the owner, "everything is relative. That is why I believe that all morals are not absolute and that right and wrong is up to the individual to determine within the confines of society. But there is no absolute right and wrong."  "That is a very interesting perspective," says the thief. "I was brought up believing that there was a God and that there was right and wrong. But I abandoned all of that and I agree with you that there is no absolute right and wrong and that we are free to do what we want."

The thief leaves the store and returns that evening and breaks in. He has disabled all the alarms and locks and is in the process of robbing the store when the owner of the store enters through a side door. The thief pulls out a gun. The owner cannot see the man’s face because he is wearing a ski mask.  "Don’t shoot me," says the owner. "Please take whatever you want and leave me alone."  "That is exactly what I plan to do," says the thief.  "Wait a minute.  I know you. You are the man that was in the store earlier today.  I recognize your voice."  "That is very unfortunate for you," says the thief. "Because now you also know what I look like.  And since I do not want to go to jail I am forced to kill you."  "You cannot do that," says the owner.  "Why not?"  "Because it is not right," pleads the desperate man.  "But did you not tell me today that there is no right and wrong?"  "Yes, but I have a family that needs me. I have children and a wife!" "So? I am sure that you are insured and that they will get a lot of money.  But since there is no right and wrong it makes no difference whether or not I kill you.  And since if I let you live you will turn me in and I will go to prison, I have no other choice.  Sorry , but that will not do."  "But it is a crime against society to kill me.  It is wrong because society says so."  "As you can see, I don’t recognize society’s claim to impose morals on me.  It’s all relative. Remember?"  "Please don’t shoot me. I beg you. I promise not to tell anyone what you look like. I swear it!"  "I do not believe you and I cannot take that chance."  "But it is true! I swear I’ll tell no one."  "Sorry, but it cannot be true because there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong, no error, remember?  If I let you live and then I left, you will break your so-called promise because it is all relative. There is no way I could trust you.”  "But it is wrong to kill me. It isn’t right!"  "It is neither right or wrong for me to kill you. Since truth is relative to the individual, if I kill you, that is my truth.  And, it is obviously true that if I let you live I will go to prison. Sorry, but you have killed yourself."  "No. Please do not shoot me. I beg you." "Begging makes no difference."  .... Bang....

In the end - if there really are no moral absolutes, no absolute truth, then there is no way to judge Hitler or Saddam Hussein or Stalin as evil. They were simply following the truth they believed in. There is no way to ever say anything is evil, because that is an absolute moral judgment.

It is at this point that the whole argument for moral relativism falls apart, because there is NO ONE who is willing to say that a Hitler was free to follow his own convictions and murder millions of innocent people!

But even if someone concedes that moral absolutes must exist, an ever bigger question lurks…Whose truth will be THE TRUTH.  Where can I find those moral absolutes? Where do I go to discover the truth that does not change?

If you want to find truth that doesn’t change, you’ll want to limit your search parameters:
1. Only look at things that have stood the test of time.
2. Only look at things that have worked for all segments of society (rich, poor, educated, uneducated, western, eastern, and everywhere in between.

At the risk of sounding intolerant I would like to suggest that absolute truth can be found in 3 places.

1. In Jesus. (John 14:6)
2. In Jesus’ teachings. (John 8:31-32)
3. In the Bible (John 17:17, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

In His own words, Jesus said . . . John 14:6  “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 8:31-32  “Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

In this passage Jesus gives what we will call a “TRUTH CHALLENGE”.
This verse tells us how it is we can discover the truth.  It starts by holding to Jesus’ teachings. For anyone who can’t quite believe that the whole Bible is the source of truth - then at least start with the teachings of Jesus. Put them to the test. Use them as the moral authority and see what happens.

So Jesus, in His own words, said that truth was found IN HIM, and in HIS TEACHINGS. But that’s not all He said. He also said that truth was found in God’s Word.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

What did He say was truth? Our feelings? Our philosophies? No He said God’s Word is truth. And as Isaiah wrote . . . in 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Jesus is the truth. Jesus’ teachings are truth. God’s word is the truth. . . Absolutely!

Some might say; “I believe this but the problem is whenever I try to appeal to scripture with my friends and family, they have this knee-jerk reaction against it. How do I get past this ‘wall of defense’?”

1. Treat people with gentleness and respect. (1 Pet. 3:15-16)
1Pet. 3:15-16  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Yes – we need to know what the truth is about what is right and wrong.
Yes – we need to live it out, even when we don’t understand WHY God has instructed us to live that way.
Yes – we need to hold out the truth like a light in a world that is growing increasingly dark.

2. Demonstrate God’s kindness toward people. (Rom. 2:4) “. . . God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.”

For anyone who has been infected by the philosophy of moral relativism, we should pray that they don’t believe it one moment longer and renounce that destructive way of thinking, reaffirming their faith in God and His eternal, unchanging truth.  Let us pray that they will consider taking the “truth challenge” that Jesus offers in John 8, read the words of Jesus, follow them, and see what changes come about in their life.  We need to put Jesus’ words to the test.

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The League was formed in 1897 to name and confront sin.  We do so because of the love of Christ, knowing that He is the only eternal answer to a sin-infestation.  Psychology isn't enough.  Counselors can't do it.  There isn't enough money in all the world to hire enough politicans and policemen to reign in sin and the devil.  The only solution is both the most costly and least expensive.  The only solution is the righteousness of Jesus Christ -- the gospel.

Your help in supporting the Christian Civic League of Maine is very important at this time.  Thank you for your prayers and support.  You can also invite Michael and Paulie Heath to your church for a League Sunday.  Mike is prepared to share a message on Christian Citizenship and Paulie is prepared to sing a few song specials.  You can contact Paulie Heath at (207) 215-6886 to make the arrangements.