We live in an age of compromise and relativism. If you say
you believe in absolute truth as found in the pages of God's
word, the Bible, you are considered someone who is intolerant
of other people and their views of life and reality. I recently
spoke on Postmodernist thought at a secular Kiwanis breakfast.
Post modernism is the term used for those who deny the existence
of absolute truth and consequently affirm relative or situational
ethics. A post modernist would say all truth is subjective
and is determined by man's mind.
THE TRUTH OFFENDS
When I was finished speaking, an agitated young man, identifying
himself as a newspaper reporter, asked a number of questions.
He said that it seemed that I was saying that Judeao-Christian
thought was the answer to communism and most of the world's
ills. I said that he had understood me correctly. He then
asked forcefully, "Don't you think that there are a lot
of people in Russia, China and Cuba that would be offended
at that?" I said, "Yes, and I would let them be
offended!" I could tell this was not the usual Christian
response he had encountered in the past. The tone of his query
had been full of false "righteous indignation."
How dare I presume to say something that may offend anyone
else anywhere in the world? After all, everyone's point of
view is equally valid isn't it? Are we absolutely sure there
are no absolutes?
He then said, "A lot of people think that capitalism
alone is going to destroy Communism." I responded that
capitalism and free enterprise rests firmly on the Ten Commandments.
"Thou shalt not steal" implies a private ownership
that is recognized by God and that is the antithesis to socialism/communism.
He told me that, as a Roman Catholic, he had read the Bible
and that he didn't believe it was anything more than a bunch
of stories made up by men. I informed him that the Bible doesn't
allow itself to be taken so lightly as it makes extraordinary
claims for itself of divine authorship and it backs its claims
up with extraordinary proof in the form of fulfilled prophecy.
EVIDENCE - NOT EXPERIENCE - IS KEY
A wonderful Christian man, who said he listens to our radio
program frequently and enjoys it, told the young reporter
that the Bible was true because God speaks to him directly
through it. As well intentioned and true as this statement
was, I am quite convinced that it didn't impress the postmodernist
young reporter.
You see, when we Christians say things about our own subjective
spiritual experiences it falls on deaf ears with many of our
contemporaries. They write it off as "your truth"
and not theirs. Our personal subjective experiences, and holy
or sacred moments with the Lord, are many times "pearls"
we should keep to ourselves and fellow Christians. Jesus said
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast
ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under
their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7:6)
Men may try to argue with the historical objective facts
of God's word but they can't cavalierly brush off its truth
claims by saying "its just something you've made up in
your head." One thousand four hundred years in the making,
66 books and 40 authors aren't dismissed so easily.
People will still be offended if their philosophy or religion
is challenged as being false. They will still reject Christians'
claims to know the truth, but they will have to exert much
greater effort if it's God's words and record they are dealing
with (the Law to convict and the Gospel to pardon) and not
just our own finite fallen and, therefore, potentially fallible
experiences.
Temporal Political Goodness Versus Eternal Righteousness
[The following was a letter I sent out via E-mail as an attachment
to an article by Chuck Colson about the recent Bob Jones University
controversy.]
Catholics and Protestants have been working together very
effectively in the pro-life movement and other areas of shared
ethical/political concern. This should continue!
This does not mean I agree with the Evangelical ecumenicist's
(i.e. Colson) theological stances toward Catholicism. The
late Dr. Francis Schaeffer said we should not be afraid to
be political co-belligerents with other religionists who share
our similar ethics. I agree wholeheartedly! I would, therefore,
gladly work together with Mormons who are pro-life or Catholics
who are pro-life in the political arena, all the while remembering
that I have a higher allegiance and calling than the temporal
good of society i.e. a commitment to share the eternal truth
of the Gospel.
WE MUST SHARE THE GOSPEL
To disagree with a person on points of doctrine doesn't mean
I have to demonize their character at every level. I certainly
don't think that certain Catholic leaders have a truly Biblical
theology but I don't have to say they are ethical monsters
in their characters nor that they are unlovely as individuals.
There have been very noble people in history with a less than
desirable theology. As fallen people we can have an affinity
with others who share our fallenness as well as the image
of God. However, fellowship around ultimate revealed truth
is a different matter! "...What communion hath light
with darkness?" says The Holy Spirit through The Apostle
Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Do I think there will be "good" (using a human/societally
relative definition of good and NOT God's perfect Biblical
one) people separated from God for eternity in hell? Absolutely!
One sin will send you to hell (James 2:10). This is why we
must continue to press the claims of the Biblical Christ,
(and His gospel of free grace i.e. trusting that Jesus died
for each of our sins and rose again from the dead for our
justification) using apologetics (1 Peter 3:15) with Jews,
Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheistic/Agnostic Humanists,
Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, cults of all stripes, Liberal
Protestants and yes, Roman Catholics.
Mount Carmel Outreach
All donations to The Institute For Christian
Apologetics are
tax-deductible, greatly needed and equally appreciated!
Make your checks out to:
The Institute For Christian Apologetics
Send them to P.O. Box 5761 Rockford, IL 61125
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