Moral relativism is one of those concepts that can be deceptively dangerous if Christians let it affect their spiritual walk. According to Clarence L. Haynes, Jr., one of the sneaky dangers of moral relativism is that “it may 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 need to educate ourselves on what moral relativism is and look at it in light of the scriptures. Next, we need to know where we stand on issues. Finally, we need to know how 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 “associated with an empirical thesis that there are deep and widespread moral disagreements and a metaethical thesis that the truth or justification of moral judgments is not absolute, but relative to some group of persons.” Basically, it means that people make moral decisions based on things like traditions or culture because they don’t believe in absolute truth.
For example, saying that polygamy is wrong may be true in one culture but not in another. While some traditions related to culture may be a matter of choice, such as whether to raise your hands in a worship service, others conflict with biblical truth. For further discussion check out this article on cultural relativism. For this article, let’s focus on moral relativism overall.
The main argument rests on the existence of absolute truth. Haynes's article discusses the difference between absolute and relative truth in detail, but the bottom line is that absolute truth is true no matter how you feel or think about it. Relative truth means that truth can change based on the individual.
Does Moral Relativism Fit Christian Morality?
The world operates in the mindset of 2 Timothy 3:1-4:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
They follow Judges 21:25, doing what is right in their own eyes. This is the basis of moral relativism, being able to do what you want and saying it is acceptable no matter who it hurts in the long run. 2 Timothy 3:7 goes on to say that although men pursue learning, they never come to the knowledge of the truth.
As Christians, we look 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 man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every 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 came through Jesus Christ.”
- John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
For further reading, check out this BibleStudyTools.com article on Bible Verses About Truth. The Bible contains many verses on truth, none referring to man as the source. God is true, and He sent Jesus as the embodiment of the Truth so that we could be reconciled to God. If we want to know the truth, we must read the Bible because God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:8).
What Makes Moral Relativism So Attractive?
Human beings have always been prone to self-centeredness. We want what we want when we want it and are willing to justify it by any means necessary. It’s especially attractive when we see it as being tolerant and open to people who believe differently than we do. Society has come to equate tolerance with love and disagreement with hate. Yet tolerance is not the opposite of disagreement. Even the dictionary gives conflicting definitions of tolerance. According to Dictionary.com, it means both:
- a fair, 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 majority; freedom from bigotry and from an insistence on conformity:
- the act of passively allowing something, especially something wrong, by failing to prevent or stop it; toleration.
People are willing to tolerate someone else’s truth until it affects them. Then it becomes unacceptable or unfair. For example, we say people have the right to believe whatever they want; however, if you and a neighbor are of a different race, and your neighbor thinks his race is better, you would say that was wrong. Their “truth” is no longer acceptable to you.
How Can We Explain Moral Relativism’s Problems to People?
The problem with moral relativism is that it is a slippery slope into chaos. If we really want to make a difference in society, debating is probably not the best route because we are speaking of spiritual things, and they are talking about philosophy.
We see the Bible as truth, and when they asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, he said:
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
If we love God and love each other, then we will obey the laws of God because they were created out of God’s love for us. If we want people to see the truth, then we need to live out Christ’s command to us:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
When we love people the way God does, people will want to know more. John 8:32 tells us that when unbelievers come to Jesus, they come to the truth. It is the Truth that sets them free. All we can do is be a light in the darkness and point them toward Christ.
The best way to handle moral relativism is not by debating and getting angry. The best way is to immerse yourself in the Bible to understand the Truth of God and love those around you. When issues about the topic come up, pray for the Holy Spirit to lead 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 standard or original; a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like” (as Dictionary.com puts it). Truth exists separate from our own desires. Ultimately, each person must choose what they believe, but their belief does not change the truth.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Daria Grushina
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
