Historically, over the last 50-60 years there has been a subtle but powerful shift in how the cultural elites think. The absolutism of modernity has given way to the relativity of post-modernism. Though it has taken a while, this philosophy has finally made its way down to 'lay level' - to the every day Joe. How often do you hear the comment, 'well, that is your opinion'. In other words, no one is longer right and no one is wrong, it is what I believe that ultimately matters. Everyone believes he is his own final authority, not some divine person or ecclesiastical institution.
Theologically, this thinking shouldn't surprise us. It has a long and prestigious history. It has been around since Genesis 3! The Fall of man into sin was a result of him usurping God's authority by claiming his was better; he knew better than God!
Paul in Romans 1 says the knowledge of God is inbred within the makeup of man. The problem is he has suppressed that knowledge and turned to worship the creation rather than the Creator. As the truth of God is quieted in his soul man's sinful desires and nature is allowed full expression.
What has allowed this 'full expression' of man's lesser nature (stemming from his belief in relativism) is the deteriorating influence of the morality as taught by the Church (rather of the Catholic or Protestant version). As the pluralistic belief system of the modern culture continues to spread, the absolutism of Christianity continues to dwindle. Our culture has bought into relativism, consequently any absolutism sounds dangerous, egotistical, even 'Hitlerish'.
As the baser nature of man is allowed free reign and exercise, it will become increasingly harder - if not impossible - for the church to be heard. If man can express his sin without consequence or guilt (as the church would teach it would bring) then the voice of righteousness and morality will sound as a hallow ring in his ear. It is nothing more than a prudish attempt to curb what these absolutists believe is dangerous or what they believe 'leads one to hell'. Since all of this (sin, hell, moral standards) is 'your opinion' he can easily throw it aside and pursue those things that bring him joy and pleasure.
Practically, while the church is poised to give meaning to the emptiness that relativism brings, is also poised itself on the edge of a precipice of obscurity and relativism because of our hypocritical actions. If we are unable to live the moral standard we proclaim and do it in love then we shouldn't complain when the world rejects our beliefs!
In this age of growing atheism, may we live with absolute theism giving the world a reason to find sure footing in the eternal and absolute truth of God's Word.
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