"Cultural Relativism"

Those of the "cultural" ilk only feel relevance when massaged by their own kind. They seek the endless approbation and acknowledgment of their fellow travelers who need to have their insecurities constantly assuaged. (Like one hound dog scratching the fleas on another.)

While “worship” itself has change through the millennia, hopefully, we won’t lose sight of the one we are to worship. Music, infrastructure and organization may evolve, but the species never does. Each kind begetting those of its own kind, so to speak.

Different nationalities and ethnic groups worship differently, but not necessarily wrongly. Even different sections of the same country often don’t share the same tastes as their fellow citizens. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. It appears even our Maker likes some diversity considering the differing colors of his creatures’ faces.

The Apostle Paul would likely not recognize our mode of worship. For example, he was accustomed to songs only in a minor key and with “unplugged” instruments, Today’s methods and times of congregating have little in common with that of our founders. Our Sunday routines are nowhere near as old as the ones practiced by our founders two thousand years ago. Strangely, many worshipers don’t seem to have an inkling of that. We think “Old Time Religion” is what Dad or Grandpa did.

I believe the local church should grow and change as surely as a child grows and changes. When I was a child I thought and understood as a child but when I became a man, I put away childish things. While I’m sure that God never changes, our concepts of him must change. As I became an adult, I was able to one day not only look my father in the eye, but could see, at least physically, higher than he. Not exactly the same, but as we as individuals and as congregations grow, so should our understanding and views about our immeasurable Father. (Surely, we can’t figure our God out in our lifetime, much less in our youth.)

I’m not talking about change for the sake of change, mind you, but adapting to the needs of differing parishioners without sacrificing the core of the Gospel can be a good thing. I suppose staying relative has an immeasurable connection with whom we are related. We who know Him as Father, will always be rewarded with the Truth when we genuinely seek Him.

All interpretations and ideas, old or new, should be strongly challenged and extensively questioned, yet with sincerity and preparedness to except the answers even though they may be discomforting. Truth loves light and flourishes in the brightness of day. Truth can withstand an examination as surely as a healthy man can withstand a check up.

Application may be relative to our culture or circumstances, but thankfully, we do have a rock to hold on to which gives us our point of reference. Sadly, a variable point of reference results in a traveler who is only doomed and lost.

No, the “Truth” is not relative like the speed of light. The “Truth” is the same today, tomorrow and yesterday. Why? Because the “Truth” is not a thing, but a person...the Christ. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”