Ethical Relativism
Against You, and You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. Psalm 51:4 (NASB)
Only – “What’s the problem? It doesn’t hurt anyone?” So goes the excuse for “victimless” crimes. The world’s view of ethical action begins with “Do no harm,” and as long as no one suffers, most people of this culture believe their actions are legitimate. But the biblical view of crime is not a violation of the law. It is moral repugnancy judged by a holy God. The law of God is simply a helpful guide toward holiness, a guide designed to introduce our conscience to His holy character, not to provide us with a casebook of legal proceedings. David knew the difference. His cry, “Against you only,” underscores the fact that there are no victimless crimes in a divinely governed universe. Anything that insults, abuses, shames or violates God’s character is evil.
The Hebrew word bad is used in a variety of ways concerning solitary circumstances. It can mean alone, apart, by itself or only. It indicates separation. It is (pictographically) the doorway out of the house. Once we step through, we are apart, alone, removed from the family. In this case, sin is the door that separates, but the separation is not focused on the community of other persons. It is focused on the absence of the Father. David’s sin was an affront to God because it was not simply a violation of a law. It was an attack on God. You can think of this Hebrew term (bad) in Paul’s comment about sin’s entrance into the world. Sin came through the door that Adam and Havvah opened.
Today’s ethical relativist may argue that his actions do no harm and are therefore of no consequence in the grand scheme of things. Without a direct violation of some legal statute, no one is likely to press the matter. But followers of YHWH should. The requirements of the law have no bearing on the requirements of the Creator. They may intersect sometimes but the demands of the holy One of Israel are not circumvented by legal arguments or the absence of any particular law. “What does God demand of me?” is still life’s fundamental question. We may not make headway against the ethical relativist, but that’s not because of ethical issues. The lack of progress comes as a result of an unwillingness to acknowledge the creative right of God to demand what He wills. Where there is no shared paradigm concerning a holy God, there is no ground for ethical debate. This is why the discussion between pro-life and pro-choice does not, and cannot, move forward. The fundamental understanding of life itself as a gift from God is absent from the pro-choice position. As with all ethical relativism, this absence allows actions that are unconscionable for pro-life proponents. Abortion is a sin against God because it eradicates a life He gave to the world, but no pro-choice proponent worries about God’s point of view.
Perhaps there are some actions in your life that rest on the foundation of ethical relativism. Misreported income, promises not kept, agreements modified, reduction of tithing obligations (and I don’t mean ten percent to the church) – things which appear to have no tangible effect on others, things that don’t seem to matter very much. Perhaps we need to ask if God is harmed when we bend the rules. Maybe we aren’t standing on such firm ground after all.
Topical Index: only, sin, bad, ethics, Psalm 51:4
–Maybe we aren’t standing on such firm ground after all.– Yes, brother Skip- we are. A very firm, and very sure foundation, the word of G-d, (both written and Living).
Thank G-d for the prophet Nathan to stand in front of the king and with the lashon limudim gently unfold,unpack and uncover the sin of David. This, to me, is another mark of the authenticity of the word of G-d in that it never fails to reveal all blemishes on these Bible characters whom we hold in high esteem.
David was a man after G-d’s own heart. (how do we know this?- it is written). And so was Abraham, Moses, Noah, etc..- but every one “failed” in their walk with G-d, somewhere along the way and then were restored by YHWH.
The story of the prodigal son is universal, for “all” have sinned. There is no “perfect” person ever to have lived, with the exception of ONE, -the second Adam, Y’shua HaMashiach, the perfect Lamb of G-d.
I have walked where David walked, for I too am a sinner. The prodigal son never was “named”, so let me name him now and tell you his name was Carl. When Nathan, points his finger at David and says “you are the man”- I feel it in my own heart, for I too have sinned against my Creator and my G-d.
But G-d (I love the combination of these two words!) comes to my rescue and steps forward to redeem and restore me to a right-relationship with Him. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ” (1 Timothy 1.15)
I have to wonder, how many of us have lived Psalm 51? Not read it, lived it. Until we come to the blessed lowly place and say with the publican- “Y’shua, thou Son of David- have mercy on me”, Christ cannot be our Savior. Deliverance through the shed blood of the perfect Lamb of G-d is universally available (whosoever will), but we must each personally avail ourselves of it. And yes, each of us will stand before Him. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable. (Hebrews 4.13)
“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 8.11) – There are those living among us, who do not fear sin. Well, I “got away with it this time”, and this time, and this time..Sin then becomes a lifestyle, a habit, and a way of life. You know the drill- lying, cheatin, drinking, stealing, etc.. We are surrounded by “sinners”, some in positions of authority who mistakingly “think” – they may sin with impunity. “Be sure your sin will find you out”- the Bible says. – (Does anyone at all “care” what the Bible says?) Have we ever lived in a such a time where Ignorance and Apathy are running rampant in our culture? “You do err, not knowing the scripture nor the power of G-d.” Mark 12.24- (thank you Nathan..)
Have you ever been “burned” or scarred by sin? -I have, and more than once. Sin is destructive, (to put it mildly). “Sin” today has been reduced to a concept. “Sin” is such an old-fashioned word and who needs G-d anymore when we now have Google? What need does this world have anymore for a Savior? -Have we “evolved” -or have we “devolved?” Ethical relativism. – right. What is truth? (hasn’t this question been asked before?) Do you remember where? Do you also remember Who was standing right in front of this man’s eyes? -and Who was it that said, “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life?”
“but no pro-choice proponent worries about God’s point of view.”
Hi Skip,
I don’t like to argue with the master, but we could believe it is a sin against God to kill.
And stone a child who is too rebellious to be any value to the community
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. — Deuteronomy 21:18-21
“What does God demand of me?”
In essence, Yeshua answered this question of the one who stepped forward about the greatest command in the Torah (Matt. 22:36-40). Moreover, if I were to disobey God in ANY way, would this not be a violation to “…love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind”? How am I loving Him, if I am guilty of making His commands relative?
I think you understand this perfectly. And now you know why we must have a deliverer.
“How am I loving Him, if I am guilty of making His commands relative?”
Hi Fred,
That’s a good question, but I don’t think we were designed to execute his commands to perfection.
I think things work best when we view God’s will as perfect, then do the best we can to obey it.
Maybe in our view life is a tragedy, innocent people die; but in God’s view it is a divine comedy.