Relativism

Relativism is a philosophical and theological position that denies the existence of absolute truth or objective moral standards, claiming instead that truth and morality are relative to individual perspectives, cultures, or contexts. In theology, relativism implies that religious truth is subjective, meaning that different religious beliefs can be equally valid, even if they contradict one another. Relativism is considered a heresy in Christianity because it undermines the belief that God has revealed absolute truth through Scripture and Jesus Christ. It challenges the authority of the Bible, the unchanging nature of God's moral law, and the exclusive claims of the Christian gospel.

History of Relativism

1. Ancient Philosophical Roots: Relativism, as a philosophical concept, has ancient roots, particularly in Greek philosophy. The Sophists, such as Protagoras (c. 490–420 BC), were early proponents of relativistic thinking. Protagoras famously declared, “Man is the measure of all things,” suggesting that truth is determined by individual perception. This relativistic view challenged the idea of objective truth and morality, which thinkers like Socrates and Plato argued for in opposition to the Sophists.

   Plato, in particular, rejected relativism, arguing that truth and morality are objective and can be known through reason and contemplation of the Forms—eternal, unchanging realities that exist beyond the material world. For Plato, relativism led to moral chaos, since it denied any stable foundation for ethics and knowledge.

2. Relativism in Early Christianity: In the context of early Christianity, Gnosticism and various forms of paganism embodied relativistic tendencies. Gnostic teachings often claimed that salvation was based on secret knowledge (gnosis), which was understood differently by various sects. The Gnostics rejected the orthodox Christian belief in one God, one absolute truth, and one way of salvation. Early Christian apologists like Irenaeus and Justin Martyr argued against these relativistic and dualistic beliefs by affirming the objective truth of the Christian faith and the unity of God's revelation in Christ.

3. Medieval Period: During the Middle Ages, relativism was not a major issue within Western Christianity, as the Roman Catholic Church dominated religious life, and the authority of the Bible and the church was largely unquestioned. However, various heretical movements arose, such as the Cathars and the Albigensians, which challenged orthodox Christian doctrine. While these groups were not explicitly relativistic, they promoted alternative views of truth and salvation that conflicted with the church’s teaching. The church responded by asserting the absolute truth of Christian doctrine, especially through the Scholastic theologians, such as Thomas Aquinas, who argued for the objective nature of truth and morality based on natural law and divine revelation.

4. Modern Relativism (Enlightenment and Beyond): The rise of modern relativism can be traced to the Enlightenment (17th and 18th centuries), when thinkers began to question traditional religious and moral authorities. Philosophers like David Hume (1711–1776) and Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) challenged the idea that truth could be known with certainty, especially in metaphysical or theological matters. Hume’s empiricism and skepticism cast doubt on the possibility of objective moral truths, while Kant’s philosophy introduced the idea that human knowledge is shaped by subjective categories of thought, thus suggesting that individuals may perceive truth differently.

   The 19th and 20th centuries saw the further development of relativism in philosophy, with thinkers like Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900), who famously declared that “God is dead” and argued that all values are subjective, created by human beings in the absence of a divine moral order. Nietzsche’s relativism paved the way for modern existentialism, where individuals create their own meaning and morality in a world without inherent purpose.

5. Postmodern Relativism: Postmodernism, a dominant intellectual movement in the latter half of the 20th century, embraced relativism at its core. Postmodern thinkers, such as Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Jean-François Lyotard, rejected the idea of universal truths, arguing instead that knowledge is always shaped by social constructs and power structures. In postmodern thought, truth is not something that can be objectively discovered; rather, it is constructed by communities, cultures, and individuals. This relativistic outlook has deeply influenced modern Western culture, particularly in areas like ethics, morality, and religious pluralism.

6. Relativism in the Contemporary Church: In the 21st century, relativism has increasingly infiltrated theological thinking within certain parts of liberal Christianity. Some theologians and church leaders have embraced relativistic approaches to moral issues (e.g., sexuality, gender, and marriage) and theology, arguing that traditional Christian doctrines should be reinterpreted in light of modern cultural norms. The idea that truth and morality are fluid and should be adapted to contemporary contexts has led to significant theological disputes within various Christian denominations, especially over issues like same-sex marriage, gender identity, and abortion.

Theology of Relativism

Theologically, relativism undermines several foundational Christian doctrines, particularly the nature of truth, morality, and revelation:

1. Truth is Subjective: In relativism, truth is not seen as absolute or objective but as subjective, varying from person to person or culture to culture. This view holds that what is “true” for one person may not be “true” for another, and no single perspective or belief system can claim to hold the full or exclusive truth.

   • In theological relativism, this means that no one religion, including Christianity, can claim to have exclusive access to divine truth. Pluralistic and relativistic theologians often argue that all religions are valid expressions of the divine, and truth is relative to each believer’s experience or culture.

2. Moral Relativism: In moral relativism, there are no absolute moral standards; instead, morality is seen as culturally or personally determined. What is considered right or wrong depends on social contexts or individual preferences. Relativism rejects the idea of a universal moral law that applies to all people in all places at all times.

   • Theologically, this means that traditional Christian teachings on morality—such as the Ten Commandments, biblical ethics, and the moral teachings of Christ—are viewed as outdated or culturally specific, not universally binding. Modern moral relativism often denies traditional Christian sexual ethics and promotes subjective ethics based on personal autonomy and consent.

3. Relativism and Revelation: Relativism challenges the Christian doctrine of revelation, which holds that God has revealed Himself objectively and authoritatively through Scripture and, supremely, in Jesus Christ. Relativistic theology undermines the belief in the inerrancy and authority of Scripture, suggesting that the Bible is just one interpretation of religious truth among many, and that it can be reinterpreted or even rejected based on contemporary understandings.

   • This view leads to the denial of key Christian doctrines, such as the divinity of Christ, the resurrection, and the atonement, all of which are seen as relative to the beliefs of early Christians but not necessarily true for modern people.

Why Relativism is Considered Heretical

Relativism is considered heretical by the historic Christian church because it directly contradicts the biblical and orthodox understanding of truth, morality, and revelation. Here are some key reasons why relativism is rejected by Christian orthodoxy:

1. Denial of Absolute Truth: Christianity is built on the belief that God’s truth is objective and unchanging. Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and His revelation through Scripture is authoritative for all people, regardless of cultural or personal preferences (2 Timothy 3:16). Relativism, by denying that there is a single, universal truth, undermines the very foundation of the Christian faith.

2. Undermining of God’s Moral Law: The Bible teaches that God’s moral law is eternal and binding on all people (Exodus 20; Romans 2:14-15). Relativism, by suggesting that morality is subjective, denies the existence of universal moral standards. This leads to moral chaos and the rejection of biblical ethics, especially in areas like sexuality, marriage, and the sanctity of life. It contradicts the biblical teaching that God’s commandments are good, true, and necessary for human flourishing.

3. Rejection of Christ’s Exclusivity: Relativism undermines the exclusive claims of Christianity regarding salvation. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), and that salvation is found in no one else. Relativism rejects the idea that any one religion, including Christianity, can be exclusively true, promoting instead the notion that all religions are equally valid paths to God. This denies the uniqueness of Christ’s person and work and leads to religious pluralism.

4. Scriptural Authority: Historic Christian orthodoxy teaches that Scripture is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Relativism denies the absolute authority of Scripture, treating the Bible as just one of many sources of religious truth. This rejection of biblical authority leads to theological confusion and opens the door to various heresies.

The Historic Christian Orthodox View

The historic Christian orthodox view stands in stark opposition to relativism, affirming the following key doctrines:

1. Objective Truth: Christianity teaches that truth is not relative but objective and grounded in the character of God Himself (John 17:17). Truth is revealed through Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of truth, and through Scripture, which is the inspired and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Christian truth is universal and applies to all people in all times and places.

2. Absolute Moral Standards: Christian orthodoxy holds that God’s moral law is absolute and binding on all people (Romans 1:18-32; Matthew 5:17-19). There is no room for moral relativism in Christianity. God’s commandments, as revealed in Scripture, provide a universal standard for right and wrong, and moral truth does not change based on personal feelings or cultural trends.

3. Christ’s Exclusive Role as Savior: Historic Christianity affirms that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). There is no relativistic openness to multiple paths to God. Salvation is available only through faith in Christ, who died for the sins of the world and rose again for our justification (Romans 10:9-10).

4. Scripture as Final Authority: The Christian faith is based on the conviction that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, providing absolute and unchanging truth (Psalm 119:89). Sola Scriptura, the Reformation principle of Scripture alone, emphasizes that God’s revelation in Scripture is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice. Any teaching that contradicts or relativizes Scripture is considered heretical.

Conclusion

Relativism is a philosophical and theological position that denies the existence of absolute truth and objective moral standards, suggesting instead that truth and morality are relative to individual perspectives or cultures. This view has been rejected as heretical by historic Christian orthodoxy because it contradicts the absolute truth revealed in Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the unchanging moral law of God. Christian orthodoxy affirms that truth is objective, grounded in God’s character, and revealed through His Word. Relativism’s denial of these principles leads to theological confusion, moral chaos, and the rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ.