One of the key features to postmodern thought is moral relativism. However, the framework is a bit confusing. It comes from the idea that truth is subject to its cultural context. So, what does that mean? It means that society’s norms determine truth for each culture. Truth is not universal for all.
If it’s all relative, then what value has religion? Religion answers universal questions of why we’re here and where we’re headed. If each person can determine that for themselves based on their experience (context), then religion becomes irrelevant.
The very nature of truth is at stake here. Without an absolute framework, truth does not exist and all becomes irrelevant. The foundations of society fall apart and all is lost. Fortunately, an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God has interceded on our behalf. He is the true relevancy of all creation. He makes morals relative to mankind.
Without God as our supreme authority, there really is no such thing as moral relativism. There are repeated warnings in Scripture when God’s people substitute His authority with their own. “Everyone did as they saw fit” always led to God’s judgment on Israel. God will judge the wayward church. We need to return to Him the authority He rightfully deserves.
When the apostles started spreading the gospel outside Judea, they didn’t tell the Gentiles that it was ok to continue living in sin. They were told to first repent from sin and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they would be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.
We live in a society that is afraid to make claims on your life for fear of intolerance. This is a weak faith and is as good as no faith at all. If we do not challenge people with the truth of the gospel, then we are doing them a disservice. The real problem is that other gods have crept into our “christianity” and we’ve sold out to the idea that we can have it both ways. We can cling to the sins in our lives that we’ve grown to love while claiming the freedom we have in Christ. The apostle Paul warned us that we are slaves to that which we obey.
Liberty came at a cost. We will still have to give an account. No cultural context can escape this. God the Father has revealed Himself in His Word through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He seeks a personal relationship with those He redeemed out of His love and mercy. It is not of ourselves to determine this truth of the Gospel.
