Christian Relativism

[fahey_paul]

I’m a practicing Catholic and was recently having a theological discussion with some nondenominational Christian friends of mine about the Bible. They told me that they believed that not of all of Bible is true/realivent to people because the Bible contradicts itself and says some ridiculous things(for example: when Jesus said call nobody your father or teacher). So therefor it’s up to the individual reader, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to interpret what’s true and what’s not. I said that everything in the Bible has to read in the context on when, why, where, and to whom that particular passage was written, and that the Bible can’t contradict itself because it’s divinely inspired. My friend responded with the fact that since it was men who wrote the Bible that it’s imperfect and is just a “good book” for Christians to read. So therefor the individual can pick and choose what to believe and what not too. I’m just curious to know if this type of Bible relativism is a common thing, and how to best combat this distorted look on Scripture and Christianity?

 

[diggerdomer]

I’m a practicing Catholic and was recently having a theological discussion with some nondenominational Christian friends of mine about the Bible. They told me that they believed that not of all of Bible is true/realivent to people because the Bible contradicts itself and says some ridiculous things(for example: when Jesus said call nobody your father or teacher). So therefor it’s up to the individual reader, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to interpret what’s true and what’s not. I said that everything in the Bible has to read in the context on when, why, where, and to whom that particular passage was written, and that the Bible can’t contradict itself because it’s divinely inspired. My friend responded with the fact that since it was men who wrote the Bible that it’s imperfect and is just a “good book” for Christians to read. So therefor the individual can pick and choose what to believe and what not too. I’m just curious to know if this type of Bible relativism is a common thing, and how to best combat this distorted look on Scripture and Christianity?

Personally I do think it’s common, and to combat it from a Catholic perspective I’d suggest reading and reflecting and praying on the Catechism para 50-141.

 

[1edyson]

Christian Relativism is, I believe, one of the greatest evils that result from sola scriptura.

 

[DavidFilmer]

My friend responded with the fact that since it was men who wrote the Bible that it’s imperfect and is just a “good book” for Christians to read. So therefor the individual can pick and choose what to believe and what not too.

In logic, this is what is known as a “Non sequitur” (Latin for “it does not follow”).

Let’s boil it down: Some passages of Scripture obviously cannot be taken at literal face-value. Thus they require some level of interpretation. Thus (non sequitur) everyone is free to interpret the Scriptures according to his/her own perspective.

The problem with this is that Jesus established an Authority (ie, the Church) to do this interpretation.

Let’s look at a secular example. We (Americans) live in a nation governed by laws. Sometimes those laws are not clear or well-understood. We might interpret them as we see fit, but, when challenged, the Court has the final say on what a law really means.