When we abandon the idea that one set of laws applies to every human being, all that remains is subjective, personal opinion.(1 )
~ Francis J. Beckwith and Gregory Koukl
Any given passage of Scripture has one meaning – what the author intended to the audience he was writing to. And since we believe the Bible was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Bible isn’t just human words. The author of each book intended to communicate something when writing, and overall it’s what God intended to reveal. It wasn’t written to us, but it was intended for us.
One of the effects of relativism (and sometimes postmodernism), however, is that the meaning of “truth” is changed from “that which accords to (God’s) reality” to “what something means to me.” Sadly, we sometimes exacerbate this in church when we read a passage and ask, “What do you think that means?”
When you run into someone who wants to wants to make the Bible say what they want it to say, refer to something they’ve communicated. Ask them, “Do you expect people to take your intent seriously when you communicate?”
Remember, speaking the truth in love means our goal is not tearing someone down…it’s pointing them to Jesus (or building up their relationship with Him). Sometimes we do, in love, challenge false ideas because if God is God, we don't get to put words in His mouth.
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(1) Francis J. Beckwith and Gregory Koukl. Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1998), 20. Kindle. This is a fabulous book for understanding the three types of relativism, how they affect culture, and how we might consider responding.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.