The third myth that is a part of post-modernism is what we might call Philosophical Pluralism which says that everybody’s viewpoint is equally valid. I have my opinions and you have your opinions and they are equally valid. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it. But there is hiding beneath the surface a much larger issue for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ.
Philosophical pluralism would say that to hold a belief that my own ideas or my religion are “intrinsically superior to another one is necessarily wrong.” That is, for Christians to say that we have the truth, and all others are wrong would be the height of smugness and is wrong and must be condemned. And yet that is exactly what the Christian faith teaches. There can be no getting around the exclusive claims of Christianity that Jesus Christ is the only pathway to a right relationship with God.
Because philosophical pluralism sees all opinions and viewpoints as equal, the natural result is a unwritten belief that there are, therefore, no absolutes. There can be no objective truth. “What is good for me, is not necessarily good for you. Therefore, I have no right to shove my religion down your throat.”
In response, we need to realize that philosophical pluralism is inconsistent. It states that there are “absolutely no absolutes.” Think about it – we are told to hold to an ideology that states that it’s wrong to hold on to ideologies!
Wouldn’t it be a neat experiment to find someone who has this idea that there are no absolutes, that every person is free to do whatever he feels best doing, and just walk up and punch them in the mouth. And when they protest vigorously, simply exclaim that “violence toward you is necessary for my well being.
There response might well be, “That’s not right!”
“But what’s right for you is not necessarily right for me.”
At that point the person must either abandon his belief that there are no absolutes, or he must stick his jaw out to allow you to hit him again. Philosophical pluralism goes against so much in our very make-up as human beings. Consider these examples:
• Our sense of justice is an inbred witness to the fact that there are absolutes of behavior.
• Our conscience is a witness to the fact that there are things that are right, there are things that are wrong.
• Twinge of guilt and hesitation occur when an employee makes the decision to steal from his boss.
• The aching conscience is present when a woman and a man move in together without marriage.
The bottom line is that philosophical pluralism will not work. What does work in the biblical approach to life. Listen to what God said to the Children of Israel:
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (NLT) – “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. 33 Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.”
Following God’s ways always leads to good. And again,
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NLT) – “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.”
Did you notice the words “I am giving you today for your own good.” Sometimes we think that the biblical laws and commands are to rob us of enjoyment in life. In reality the opposite is the same. God gives those commands and instructions to us for our good. In fact, if we will follow them, we will always experience God’s best.
The Word of God has not changed, and will not change. This is God’s very best guideline for living life to its fullest. Anything less is simply second best.
Because of that, moral absolutes remain. They have not and will not change.
Philosophical pluralism, like the first two myths of post-modernism, is a dead end street that leads only to disappointment and destruction. God’s way is always best – hands down!
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