Relativism in the Church

Relativism in the Church

Written by Bruce A. Little |
Monday, November 15, 2021

The assumption is that if good outweighs wrong, then there should be no criticism. However, the economy of God’s Kingdom does not operate by weighing the amount of right against the amount of wrong as a way of justifying the wrong. It is not as if the right counterweighs the wrong then all is well.  The economy of God’s Kingdom operates on the foundation of absolutes—His Truth.

It is interesting how many Christens and/or Christian organizations think God forms approval judgments based on relative righteousness.

Notice how often it happens when a Christian group is cited for bad judgment either theologically or culturally. That is, when criticized for supporting questionable cultural fads or theological aberrations, rather than answer the charge the discussion is deflected. The response points to how many people were baptized last year, how much good has been done for the Kingdom, or the response is ambiguous at best and untruthful at worst.

For example, consider those who jump on the cultural bandwagon promoting Critical Race Theory, or join the chorus of those pronouncing systemic racism or white privilege as the social evils of all evils. When confronted, there is little to no discussion of the facts, an examination of terminology or a consideration of the implications for Christian theology and witness. In fact, too often the truth issue fades into the background as if it is not the key issue.

The default position is to boast of the commitment to missions, evangelistic efforts, or how keen they to change the world. To the last point, it is absurd. It is as if God has called His people to change the world. Jesus said the world is our enemy, it is against both God and His people. This is not to suggest that all that is being done, at least in the name of Christ if not always in the nature of Christ, is of no value. It is commendable and should not and must not be denied or minimized.

However, that is not the problem. The problem is that the typical response is off point with the criticism.

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