Relativism. I’m sure most of you know that word. A quick and dirty definition of the word can be said as thus, “A theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.” I borrowed that definition from Answers.com.
The unfolding story of the Eliot Spitzer scandal (Google it if you have been living under a rock lately) is interesting not because it has shades of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, but rather because Spitzer, the governor of New York, was exposed as a client of a prostitution ring despite being publicly well-known as a man who had serious morals and ethics.
From TIME Magazine: “He had built a reputation as an ethical crusader, and as a former prosecutor, he knew well the myriad electronic and surveillance tools that reveal hidden arrangements for crimes like prostitution. Just last year, Spitzer had signed a law that lengthened jail time for johns from three months to as much as a year.”
I find it interesting that Spitzer knew all the tricks that were used to nab people who were part of prostitution rings. He used to prosecute people for crimes and was so well-known as a crusader that TIME Magazine called him “Crusader of the Year” in 2002. So, why would he say one thing and then do otherwise in such a blatant disregard for the laws he signed while in the governor’s office? Relativism.
From the same article, “[Brooke] Masters [Spitzer’s biographer] says he had a long history of recklessness, a sense that the usual boundaries of authority didn’t apply to him. … Spitzer seemed to believe his burning pursuit of right justified any personal failings. ‘I think he felt he was totally invulnerable and could do whatever he wanted and there would be no consequences,’ says Ed Koch, a former New York City mayor.”
Eliot Spitzer thought that the law didn’t apply to him because he had authority, and he thought it was okay for him, but not for everybody else. Does that sound like anyone you know? It sounds like A LOT of people I know. Relativism is a hard thing to combat in today’s world, but combat it we can by using what we know to be true: We know the Truth in God. We read the Truth in the Bible. The Truth that is Jesus Christ has set us free from this world. When people tell us that our morals are ours and their morals are theirs, humbly tell them that’s not what God says!
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what It says.” -James 1:21-22
May God shower you with His grace and mercy today and forever.
-Matt
BibleEliot SpitzerGodJamesJesusmoralityrelativismtruth
Do As I Say, Not As I Do… Right?
March 13, 2008
Calvary
Comments Off on Do As I Say, Not As I Do… Right?
Matt
Relativism. I’m sure most of you know that word. A quick and dirty definition of the word can be said as thus, “A theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.” I borrowed that definition from Answers.com.
The unfolding story of the Eliot Spitzer scandal (Google it if you have been living under a rock lately) is interesting not because it has shades of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, but rather because Spitzer, the governor of New York, was exposed as a client of a prostitution ring despite being publicly well-known as a man who had serious morals and ethics.
From TIME Magazine: “He had built a reputation as an ethical crusader, and as a former prosecutor, he knew well the myriad electronic and surveillance tools that reveal hidden arrangements for crimes like prostitution. Just last year, Spitzer had signed a law that lengthened jail time for johns from three months to as much as a year.”
I find it interesting that Spitzer knew all the tricks that were used to nab people who were part of prostitution rings. He used to prosecute people for crimes and was so well-known as a crusader that TIME Magazine called him “Crusader of the Year” in 2002. So, why would he say one thing and then do otherwise in such a blatant disregard for the laws he signed while in the governor’s office? Relativism.
From the same article, “[Brooke] Masters [Spitzer’s biographer] says he had a long history of recklessness, a sense that the usual boundaries of authority didn’t apply to him. … Spitzer seemed to believe his burning pursuit of right justified any personal failings. ‘I think he felt he was totally invulnerable and could do whatever he wanted and there would be no consequences,’ says Ed Koch, a former New York City mayor.”
Eliot Spitzer thought that the law didn’t apply to him because he had authority, and he thought it was okay for him, but not for everybody else. Does that sound like anyone you know? It sounds like A LOT of people I know. Relativism is a hard thing to combat in today’s world, but combat it we can by using what we know to be true: We know the Truth in God. We read the Truth in the Bible. The Truth that is Jesus Christ has set us free from this world. When people tell us that our morals are ours and their morals are theirs, humbly tell them that’s not what God says!
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what It says.” -James 1:21-22
May God shower you with His grace and mercy today and forever.
-Matt
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