If I Were a Philosopher...

These days, a lot of people buy into the principle of relativism. Be it cultural, ethical or moral, people like to think the world is a relative place. Cultural relativism suggests that morality, laws and politics believed to be true within one society or culture, may not be true for another. Cultural relativism also takes the view that because the truth is subjective to a specific culture, it cannot be determined as better or worse than the truths of another culture. Ethical relativism is not far from cultural relativism, but on a more personal level. In ethical relativism, there is no objective right or wrong, it simply depends on the individual. Moral relativism is pretty much the same as ethical relativism (philosophers and apologetics would disagree, but I would say they are splitting hairs), and is best summed up by Friedrich Nietzsche who wrote, “You have your way, I have my way. As for the right way, it does not exist.”

Sorry, I know that was heavy and you weren't counting on school today, but I needed to throw the basics out there. Essentially, I see these three thoughts or principles boiling down to truth. Does the responsibility to define truth belong to individuals and greater society as a whole, or is there a truth that is absolute? Right now the biggest defense against those who oppose homosexuality, or any mainstream cultural revolution, is usually summed up by what Macklemore and Ryan Lewis sing in their song Same Love: "We paraphrase a book written 3500 years ago." And if relativism is to be believed, than they are correct. If relativism is absolutely true (which is can't be because the principle itself refuses to acknowledge the possibility of absolute truth), than there is no possible way that an historical book can teach and dictate that way life is lived today.

But to relativists out there, I ask: if what is true for me is true for me, and what is true for you is true for you (the basic principle of relativism), then where are we left if my truth says that yours is false? Either my truth cannot be considered true or your truth is false. Either option negates the one "truth" of relativism. You see? Relativism contradicts itself, and truth cannot be self-contradictory. Now, there are some "truths" that are relative. I believe it true that Moose Tracks ice cream is by far the greatest ice cream ever invented. You may believe it is Strawberry (Ew. you're wrong, but anyway). Therefore some truths are relative, but our culture has lost the ability to determine which truths are absolute and which are relative. Both Islam and Christianity cannot lead to heaven as they contradict one another, so which do we believe?

In all honesty, that is a question you should search out for yourself. Let me tell you why I believe in Christianity. Aside from the historical evidence that has been found (prophecies fulfilled, artifacts, etc.), I want to take a look at the life of Jesus, the center point of Christianity. 

If you believe Jesus to be a "great moral philosopher" then you must accept him as the only way to heaven. Many people regard him as a great moral teacher but refuse to recognize him as the Son of God. However, you cannot do one without the other. You see, Jesus, amidst all his teachings, claimed to be the Son of God. If that were not true, then you could not consider him good or moral because he lied to thousands of people, resulting in the death of many of his followers. What is good and moral about that? He was either a lunatic or the Son of God. You must make the decision. You cannot, however, believe some of his teachings while refusing to recognize the teaching on which he placed the greatest emphasis about himself and his power. Jesus claimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Either he is the way, the only way, or he is crazy. If you determine he is the truth, then you must follow his teachings. All of them.

And one of those teachings goes against relativism. Jesus said:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" Matthew 7:24-27

If Jesus and his teachings are our foundation, if we base our faith and knowledge in Jesus that he is the absolute truth, then we are granted a firm foundation. If not, if we base our truth on culture or anything but the truth of his teachings, we base them on shifting sands. Look at those who believed in and practiced segregation. Cultural relativism would have to say that segregation was okay. It was part of the culture, so there can be nothing wrong with it. Yet if we look to God's word on how we are supposed to treat one another, we see the fault in our past ways. Our understandings and opinions change, God does not.

Isn't that more appealing anyway? To know that there is a God in whom we can fully trust? Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever." And in a world that is constantly changing, I would say that is one of my greatest comforts. Does it comfort you? Search it out. Look into it and "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). What I love about God is that he is big enough for our questions, our doubts, our concerns. Bring them to him. Ask him for an answer, and be open to what it is. If you search deeply and honestly for the truth, Christ will reveal himself to you, "then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

We got deep today, I know. I am no philosopher by any means and I hope I didn't completely confuse you. Check this stuff out for yourself and you'll find papers by actual writers and philosophers that may make a whole lot more sense.