of all the religions one could like

of all the religions one could like

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

I like the picture though so I think I’ll keep it.

I was supposed to set this article for 2023 not 2022. Because it’s set so far back, I can only edit so much.

Let’s see, what type of topic do I want to discuss?

Antinomianism vs. Moral Relativism

This is basically a free writing at this point, but I’d like to compare an ancient heresy plaguing the church, with a postmodern philosophy, in a few words.

Bear in mind, there are plenty of similarities between the 1st Century in the ancient Near East and the Western World today (i.e. West Europe and the Americas).

One similarity is all of the religions and philosophies available. We have freedom of religion, but so did the Greco-Roman Empire. Worship whatever aNE god (lower case g-) you want, just add Caesar to your list as the ultimate god on earth. Both then and now, all the religions of the known world are at our fingertips.

Locally, there are religion celebrities. One may be an acolyte from the local temple. If there is no temple, another might be the steward of a shrine along a Roman Road. These celebrities are known for all types of reasons, but they also become teachers of the local religion and god/s. When they get saved, they enter the local church as a celebrity teacher. However, they are usually not well discipled before someone hands them the mic. Thus we have errant doctrine, the genesis of heresies in many instances.

One of these heresies is the same as Moral Relativism in one respect. Moral Relativism and Antinomianism both teach…

“It’s your thang . . . do whatcha’ want to do”

…as the classic song goes.

Antinomianism is a heresy, so somehow it distorts the Gospel. The premise is we all have the Holy Spirit residing inside. We don’t need rules of the Law. We don’t even need this new Law of Christ the Apostles are talking about. The Holy Ghost is all we need to guide us.

Therefore, do whatcha’ want to do.

Some scholars believe the Church of Thyatira is dealing with Antinomianism CLICK

On the other hand, Moral Relativism a spin-off pseudo-philosophy from the Postmodernism paradigm. The premise is that everything is relative. What works for you works for you. What works for me works for me. There is more than enough room in this world for all of our views, unless you’re the type of person who claims Jesus is the answer, or something like that. Then there’s no room for you, but there’s room for everybody else and their sacred cows.

It doesn’t even have to be about religion. Wherever you draw your ethics from, whatever direction your moral compass is set to, is more than fine.

It’s not considered a formal philosophy.

the difference

Antinomianism is a heresy, so it distorts the Gospel, and has the potential of being dangerous. People in the 1st Century were intentionally leading others to believe they could still make it to Heaven, but live like Hell.

Moral Relativism could fall into the philosophy category today perhaps, if it has a category at all. Therefore, religion is irrelevant. Unfortunately, though at many of our colleges and universities, a few striking points in a philosophy class can cause a Christian to lose his/her moorings. Moral Relativism is just as dangerous today as Antinomianism was in the aNE.

pic credit: me | sunrise over Valley Church Roanoke | 10.23.21

For articles focusing a little more on Wisdom Literature, philosophy, and ethics CLICK