Someone inquired about the two words “absolutism” and “relativism.” Merriam-Webster defines “absolutism” as “2 : advocacy of a rule by absolute standards or principles. 3 : an absolute standard or principle.” Dictionary.com says of “absolutism” that it is “any theory holding that values, principles, etc., are absolute and not relative, dependent, or changeable.”
On the other hand, “relativism” is defined thusly. “Relativism is the belief that there’s no absolute truth, only the truths that a particular individual or culture happen to believe. If you believe in relativism, then you think different people can have different views about what’s moral and immoral” (vocabulary.com/dictionary/relativism). “The theory that value judgments, as of truth, beauty, or morality, have no universal validity but are valid only for the persons or groups holding them” (thefreedictionary.com/relativism).
As an example of the contrast between absolutism and relativism, the American Constitution and its Amendments are viewed by the Judiciary in the United States in accordance with relativism and not according to absolutism. As such, the Constitution and its Amendments are seen as a living, not fixed document that is subject to the interpretation and application of Federal judges and the U.S. Supreme Court, which may and often varies widely from what the framers of those documents clearly intended in the beginning of the United States of America when they were adopted.
Religiously or theologically, many professing Christianity view the Bible – God’s Holy Word – in the same way – not fixed, not absolute and changeable per the whims of contemporary people. Almighty God, through divine inspiration by the Holy Spirit of human penmen, amply expressed Himself as to the absolute and final nature of the Word of God – the Bible. Inside the Bible, God unequivocally affirmed that His message to humanity is not subject to editing, amending, alteration, adding to, taking from or substitution with humanly devised directives. The theory of relativism is grossly misapplied to the Bible. The Bible is the absolute, final, complete and inerrant Word of God Himself.
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV). “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6). “‘As for Me,’ says the Lord, ‘this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,’ says the Lord, ‘from this time and forevermore’” (Isaiah 59:21). “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9).
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever… But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:23, 25). “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19).
The New Testament is God’s final revelation to mankind. “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Furthermore, with providing the New Testament to humanity, divine revelation is complete. “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
Every soul who ever lived will be judged absolutely by the Word of God under which he or she lived (i.e., Patriarchy, Judaism or Christianity, Revelation 20:12). Before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), no one will be able to negotiate one’s eternal habitation in an appeal to relativism (Matthew 7:21-23). “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Only God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8) and mercy (1 Titus 3:5) will soften Final Judgment for those who have obeyed and continue to obey (1 John 1:7) the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “…He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). “…When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
