ATTENTION: Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE BRIGHT BLUE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
No--you haven’t lost your mind. Things really are crazy out there. And you can thank something called the dictatorship of relativism.
Does it kind of feel like folks have lost their minds? That we’ve taken a collective walk through the looking glass and nothing is logical, nothing really makes sense? That you can look people square in the eye, assert a scientific, biological fact such as “if you have an x and a y chromosome and you have male sexual organs, then you are not a woman,” only to have them accuse you of being a hater or on the wrong side of history?
Or take abortion. Even some of the staunchest abortion supporters admit a fetus is a baby is a human being. But that doesn’t matter, because a woman has a right to do what she wants “with her own body.”
It’s sort of kooky. How have we reached this level of absurdity?
Well, as I explain in a recent article at Intercollegiate Review, welcome to “the dictatorship of relativism,” which, as Pope Benedict said, “does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires.”
As I explain in the article, I first encountered this kind of pervasive relativism as an undergraduate at Yale. I came from a working-class background, I actually believed in the truth, that it was beautiful, and worth living for and even dying for. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at Yale (whose motto is “Lux et Veritas”—Latin for “light and truth”), to find out that much of the faculty and student body didn’t believe in Truth with a capital “T”. No, there were many truths, which of course told me that there was really no truth at all.
Chuck Colson said to test the validity of a worldview, follow it to its logical conclusion. The logical conclusion of relativism is absurdity. Non-sense. A worldview that undermines its own premises.
Not long after I graduated from Yale, Allan Bloom wrote his famous book, “The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today’s Students.” (There’s a subtitle for you!). Bloom wrote that “almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative. If this belief is put to the test . . . they will be uncomprehending. That anyone should regard the proposition as not self-evident astonishes them, as though he were calling into question 2 + 2 = 4.”
Bloom then tells the story of his students’ response to the Hindu custom known as sati: burning a widow alive on her husband’s funeral pyre. The British, of course, banned the custom, and sharply reminded the Hindu priests that the British had a different custom: hanging men who burned women alive. How did the students react? Bloom said his students were so steeped in relativism they could only meekly reply “that the British should have never been there in the first place.” Heaven forbid they’d admit it’s wrong to burn women alive.
With relativism so deeply ensconced in our schools and culture, it’s no wonder that Christianity is increasingly viewed with a jaundiced eye. After all, Christians assert that there is a capital “T” Truth, and that we are made in His image—and that therefore every human life is precious. We dare to believe in inviolable moral laws as well—you know, like marriage is sacred and adultery is wrong. We’re kind of crazy like that.
But remember this next time you feel like despairing over the trajectory of our culture: The dictatorship of relativism is built on a self-contradicting foundation of sand. The truth, as Shakespeare wrote, will out. Always.
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION - As Eric reminds us, relativism is built on a faulty foundation, and is self-contradictory by its very nature.
"The Dictatorship of Relativism Comes to Campus" - Eric Metaxas | Intercollegiate Review | Fall 2016; https://home.isi.org/dictatorship-relativism-comes-campus
The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students- Allan Bloom | Simon & Schuster Publishers | April 2012; http://www.colsoncenterstore.org/product.asp?sku=9781451683202
[NOTE: This Friday marks only 40 days until Election
Day. Please consider praying DAILY beginning Friday - if you are not already - that Americans will vote with wisdom and discernment.]
URGENT: A Christian Mother's Mandatory Death Penalty Could Be Overturned. PRAY and Sign the Petition Now! - https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution? - Asia Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to execution by hanging.She has been languishing on death row nearly 6 years - separated from her husband and five kids all because of her Christian faith. Now, after more than 2,100 excruciating days, Pakistan's Supreme Court has just granted her an early review of her final appeal.This is a monumental moment in her case. In just weeks, the court could release her or have her hanged. She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan's brutal blasphemy law.The American Center for Law and Justice has been aggressively advocating for her freedom for years - including through our office on the ground in Pakistan. But now is the time for urgent action. The ACLJ is stepping up their vigorous legal advocacy campaign across the globe for her freedom. It is imperative that each of us be heard. Don't let them execute Christian mom Asia Bibi!; SIGN the petition and PRAY for this court decision!
MILITARY TRANSGENDER POLICY: Contact Armed Services Chairmen McCain (committee number: 202-224-3871; office number: 202-224-2235) and Rep. Thornberry (committee number: 202-225-4151; office number: 202-225-3706) and ask them to put the brakes on the National Defense Authorization Act conference report until military transgenderism is addressed. America's safety depends on it."
URGENT: A Christian Mother's Mandatory Death Penalty Could Be Overturned. PRAY and Sign the Petition Now! - https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution? - Asia Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to execution by hanging.She has been languishing on death row nearly 6 years - separated from her husband and five kids all because of her Christian faith. Now, after more than 2,100 excruciating days, Pakistan's Supreme Court has just granted her an early review of her final appeal.This is a monumental moment in her case. In just weeks, the court could release her or have her hanged. She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan's brutal blasphemy law.The American Center for Law and Justice has been aggressively advocating for her freedom for years - including through our office on the ground in Pakistan. But now is the time for urgent action. The ACLJ is stepping up their vigorous legal advocacy campaign across the globe for her freedom. It is imperative that each of us be heard. Don't let them execute Christian mom Asia Bibi!; SIGN the petition and PRAY for this court decision!
MILITARY TRANSGENDER POLICY: Contact Armed Services Chairmen McCain (committee number: 202-224-3871; office number: 202-224-2235) and Rep. Thornberry (committee number: 202-225-4151; office number: 202-225-3706) and ask them to put the brakes on the National Defense Authorization Act conference report until military transgenderism is addressed. America's safety depends on it."
"PROTECT LOCAL SCHOOLS from Federal Overreach into Kids' Restrooms"/ Contact your local school: - http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL16H05&f=AL16H05##FORM
SIGN THE PETITION: Encourage Congress to STOP THE HARVESTING OF ABORTED BABIES (see story in post ##1581) - http://aclj.org/pro-life/stop-planned-parenthood-from-harvesting-and-selling-babies-organs?
Coming In October: "Voiceless." Talk to your pastor about this movie that challenges those who consider themselves pro-life Christians to be more involved more in the effort to rescue the unborn. Go to http://joinvoiceless.com and share it with others.
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE: Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983;"Asking Questions"-
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/29295
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will." - Stan
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!" Rev. Franklin Graham: "I do know that the president defends Islam and chastises Christians, rebukes our allies and befriends our enemies, and fully supports gay marriages and abortion but denies the religious freedoms of those who don't agree. Our nation is ridiculed abroad and morally crumbling within. We are in trouble. We have turned our back on God."
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: Let's be praying that they might be Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
Pray DAILY, esp. beginning Sept. 30, which is the start of 40 days until our NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER. Pray that Americans will elect leaders at the state (Governors, state legislators) and national (Congress and President) levels who have Spirit-filled wisdom, integrity, and a Biblical world-view, who will know and do what is best for us today as well as for future generations.
9/14 - MY PERSONAL UPDATE: Please scroll down to JOURNAL entry on right side of this blog page for my LATEST news. Job Search Update: THANKS for your continued prayers (and any job leads you might have) as I continue to fill out applications. PRAISE: While I didn’t get the position I interviewed for last week, my name was passed on to other managers and I am hopeful to be called in for another interview within the next few weeks.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
Learn about Christian Persecution; Check out the World Watch List:
http://live.opendoorsusa.org/wwl/?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=content-banner&utm_campaign=may-2016
PRAY for the ON-GOING crisis now happening in IRAQ/SYRIA. Pray that coalition forces will be able to destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
"Why It's Becoming More Difficult to Be a Christian in INDIA" - 03-03-2016;
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2016/March/Why-Its-Becoming-More-Difficult-to-Be-a-Christian-in-India
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Dictatorship of Relativism - AB"SURDITY REIGNS--FOR NOW" - By: Eric Metaxas| Breakpoint.org: September 21, 2016; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/29871
SIGN THE PETITION: Encourage Congress to STOP THE HARVESTING OF ABORTED BABIES (see story in post ##1581) - http://aclj.org/pro-life/stop-planned-parenthood-from-harvesting-and-selling-babies-organs?
Coming In October: "Voiceless." Talk to your pastor about this movie that challenges those who consider themselves pro-life Christians to be more involved more in the effort to rescue the unborn. Go to http://joinvoiceless.com and share it with others.
YOUR Vote Is Important This Coming November. Check out the following site with answers to your questions of …Why should I vote? How to register to vote? What [more] can I do?http://www.commit2vote2016.com/
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION (...because ALL Babies Matter!): Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/ Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE: Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983;"Asking Questions"-
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/29295
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will." - Stan
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!" Rev. Franklin Graham: "I do know that the president defends Islam and chastises Christians, rebukes our allies and befriends our enemies, and fully supports gay marriages and abortion but denies the religious freedoms of those who don't agree. Our nation is ridiculed abroad and morally crumbling within. We are in trouble. We have turned our back on God."
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: Let's be praying that they might be Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
Pray DAILY, esp. beginning Sept. 30, which is the start of 40 days until our NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER. Pray that Americans will elect leaders at the state (Governors, state legislators) and national (Congress and President) levels who have Spirit-filled wisdom, integrity, and a Biblical world-view, who will know and do what is best for us today as well as for future generations.
9/14 - MY PERSONAL UPDATE: Please scroll down to JOURNAL entry on right side of this blog page for my LATEST news. Job Search Update: THANKS for your continued prayers (and any job leads you might have) as I continue to fill out applications. PRAISE: While I didn’t get the position I interviewed for last week, my name was passed on to other managers and I am hopeful to be called in for another interview within the next few weeks.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
http://live.opendoorsusa.org/wwl/?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=content-banner&utm_campaign=may-2016
PRAY for the ON-GOING crisis now happening in IRAQ/SYRIA. Pray that coalition forces will be able to destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
"Why It's Becoming More Difficult to Be a Christian in INDIA" - 03-03-2016;
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2016/March/Why-Its-Becoming-More-Difficult-to-Be-a-Christian-in-India
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Dictatorship of Relativism - AB"SURDITY REIGNS--FOR NOW" - By: Eric Metaxas| Breakpoint.org: September 21, 2016; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/29871
Does it kind of feel like folks have lost their minds? That we’ve taken a collective walk through the looking glass and nothing is logical, nothing really makes sense? That you can look people square in the eye, assert a scientific, biological fact such as “if you have an x and a y chromosome and you have male sexual organs, then you are not a woman,” only to have them accuse you of being a hater or on the wrong side of history?
Or take abortion. Even some of the staunchest abortion supporters admit a fetus is a baby is a human being. But that doesn’t matter, because a woman has a right to do what she wants “with her own body.”
It’s sort of kooky. How have we reached this level of absurdity?
Well, as I explain in a recent article at Intercollegiate Review, welcome to “the dictatorship of relativism,” which, as Pope Benedict said, “does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires.”
As I explain in the article, I first encountered this kind of pervasive relativism as an undergraduate at Yale. I came from a working-class background, I actually believed in the truth, that it was beautiful, and worth living for and even dying for. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at Yale (whose motto is “Lux et Veritas”—Latin for “light and truth”), to find out that much of the faculty and student body didn’t believe in Truth with a capital “T”. No, there were many truths, which of course told me that there was really no truth at all.
Chuck Colson said to test the validity of a worldview, follow it to its logical conclusion. The logical conclusion of relativism is absurdity. Non-sense. A worldview that undermines its own premises.
Not long after I graduated from Yale, Allan Bloom wrote his famous book, “The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today’s Students.” (There’s a subtitle for you!). Bloom wrote that “almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative. If this belief is put to the test . . . they will be uncomprehending. That anyone should regard the proposition as not self-evident astonishes them, as though he were calling into question 2 + 2 = 4.”
Bloom then tells the story of his students’ response to the Hindu custom known as sati: burning a widow alive on her husband’s funeral pyre. The British, of course, banned the custom, and sharply reminded the Hindu priests that the British had a different custom: hanging men who burned women alive. How did the students react? Bloom said his students were so steeped in relativism they could only meekly reply “that the British should have never been there in the first place.” Heaven forbid they’d admit it’s wrong to burn women alive.
With relativism so deeply ensconced in our schools and culture, it’s no wonder that Christianity is increasingly viewed with a jaundiced eye. After all, Christians assert that there is a capital “T” Truth, and that we are made in His image—and that therefore every human life is precious. We dare to believe in inviolable moral laws as well—you know, like marriage is sacred and adultery is wrong. We’re kind of crazy like that.
But remember this next time you feel like despairing over the trajectory of our culture: The dictatorship of relativism is built on a self-contradicting foundation of sand. The truth, as Shakespeare wrote, will out. Always.
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION - As Eric reminds us, relativism is built on a faulty foundation, and is self-contradictory by its very nature.
"The Dictatorship of Relativism Comes to Campus" - Eric Metaxas | Intercollegiate Review | Fall 2016; https://home.isi.org/dictatorship-relativism-comes-campus
The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students- Allan Bloom | Simon & Schuster Publishers | April 2012; http://www.colsoncenterstore.org/product.asp?sku=9781451683202
No comments:
Post a Comment