Who doesn’t admire someone who stands up for what’s right—even in the midst of passionate opposition? Figures like Jesus, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. come to mind. They were all countercultural. And most of us would agree that they affected change for the better. However, if moral relativism is true, then what is “right” is determined by whatever the majority of the culture believes. But this leads to the absurd consequence that those seeking to reform the immoral practices of society (e.g., eliminating racism) are the immoral ones because they are acting against the cultural majority. This is a powerful reason to reject moral relativism.
Our culture is full of people who take an “anything goes” approach to morality unless it hurts someone. But people can’t live consistently as a moral relativist. Why? Because deep down they believe in absolute right and wrong. They have issues that they are not relativists about. Once you challenge them, their true colors will show. And that is OK because everyone has a worldview. That is as it should be because deep down we all know that relativism isn’t the right way forward. Once we recognize this fact, then we can begin to have the more important conversation about what is truly good and what is truly evil.
Paul illustrates this point when he wrote:
“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” – Romans 2:14-15 NLT
Next time someone suggests that morals are relative, bring up the reformer’s dilemma and have a good conversation.
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