Convictional Relativism
We live in a perilous age of religion where relativism is a dirty word and everyone has their own ideals as to what is right and what is wrong across the board when it comes to the precepts of Christian liberties. Perhaps it wouldn't be so disturbing if it stopped there, but for most that is simply not an option. For most, cordial dialogue of the ideals of God and what He would for His beloved are simply non negotiable and certainly not up for discussion. Lately I've seen and heard more than my fair share of words that supposedly were meant to edify the body and correct a wayward brother or sister, while they've come across as unwholesome and domineering.
I have and always will reject the idea of relativism, but when used in the context that sets it subservient to Absolute Truth and has it's action based in personal conviction and the calling of the Spirit, I've got to rethink the proposition. Perhaps it's just the definition that needs reworking when used in this manner. After all, relativism is defined as the theory that truth is an ethical relative to the individual or group that holds it. If, when used in the proposed context and keeping in mind that it's conviction rather than truth that's an ethical relative to the individual, than I don't see where there could not exist the idea of a convictional relativism under the unchangeable banner of Absolute Truth.
These words may have seemed foreign to our forefathers, but I can't help but think that the concepts have been there from the beginning. Paul addresses issues such as these in many of his epistles which remain to serve as guidance to us today. Oh that we would have learned from the mistakes of our history rather than stumble in like manner.
4Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.
5Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.
6What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli.
Romans 14:4-6
I've been continually amazed at the ability that some seem to have when it comes to gauging the convictions of conscience of another. It would be one thing if I were speaking of sin or something unlawful, but I'm not. It appears that some would have convictions of conscience be something that is shared by the majority, rather than something that is deeply ingrained into the personal relationship of the individual believer.
On the other hand, if a man is comfortable in his decision for a single life in service to God and it's entirely his own conviction and not imposed on him by others, he ought to stick with it.
I Corinthians 7:37
Paul continues to stress the importance of one's own conviction rather than following the impositions of others. Guilt has been and continues to be one of the most powerful weapons that we've got at our disposal. To use it may be all together tempting, but has got to be gravely immoral.
Discernment continues to be a most valuable commodity within the Christian community and one that is in most desperate need of mining and honing if we're to be the people that God's called us to be. We've wielded the devastating weapon of guilt for far too long. Hold fast to Truth as you seek to honestly discern the true convictions of conscience that allows all the rights and freedoms as slaves to Christ should.
I have and always will reject the idea of relativism, but when used in the context that sets it subservient to Absolute Truth and has it's action based in personal conviction and the calling of the Spirit, I've got to rethink the proposition. Perhaps it's just the definition that needs reworking when used in this manner. After all, relativism is defined as the theory that truth is an ethical relative to the individual or group that holds it. If, when used in the proposed context and keeping in mind that it's conviction rather than truth that's an ethical relative to the individual, than I don't see where there could not exist the idea of a convictional relativism under the unchangeable banner of Absolute Truth.
These words may have seemed foreign to our forefathers, but I can't help but think that the concepts have been there from the beginning. Paul addresses issues such as these in many of his epistles which remain to serve as guidance to us today. Oh that we would have learned from the mistakes of our history rather than stumble in like manner.
4Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.
5Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.
6What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli.
Romans 14:4-6
I've been continually amazed at the ability that some seem to have when it comes to gauging the convictions of conscience of another. It would be one thing if I were speaking of sin or something unlawful, but I'm not. It appears that some would have convictions of conscience be something that is shared by the majority, rather than something that is deeply ingrained into the personal relationship of the individual believer.
On the other hand, if a man is comfortable in his decision for a single life in service to God and it's entirely his own conviction and not imposed on him by others, he ought to stick with it.
I Corinthians 7:37
Paul continues to stress the importance of one's own conviction rather than following the impositions of others. Guilt has been and continues to be one of the most powerful weapons that we've got at our disposal. To use it may be all together tempting, but has got to be gravely immoral.
Discernment continues to be a most valuable commodity within the Christian community and one that is in most desperate need of mining and honing if we're to be the people that God's called us to be. We've wielded the devastating weapon of guilt for far too long. Hold fast to Truth as you seek to honestly discern the true convictions of conscience that allows all the rights and freedoms as slaves to Christ should.
posted by lee at 10:29 PM
1 Comments:
You'll laugh Lee. We had this same discussion next door to your class at church on Sunday. I didn't read the post until today though. We came to a simillar conclusion. If you are saved, God will convict you if you are doing something you shouldn't be. If you don't listen, He will correct you.
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