Topic(s): Bible Study, Gospel

Todd Clippard

I believe the main reason is relativism. Oxford’s Dictionary defines relativism as "the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute." In other words, what is right for me might not be right for you. It depends upon personal experience and current circumstances. In fact, what is right for me and what is right for you may be in direct contradiction and opposition to one another. This is the "thinking" (I use the term loosely) of relativism. "Americans of faith" have bought into this destructive philosophy. Whatever one chooses to believe is perfectly acceptable so long as one is sincere, doesn’t bother anyone else or attempt to sway others to his way of thinking. Such ideology is not only illogical, it is unbiblical!

Relativism allows the Bible to teach contradictory doctrines, though as God's word it can never do such (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). For example, when one man denies the essentiality of baptism for salvation while another affirms its necessity, but neither considers the other to be in the wrong, that is relativism. Either the Bible teaches the essentiality of baptism or it does not, but it does not teach both! Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21 say baptism saves. Acts 2:38 says baptism is the means by which remission of sins is obtained. Acts 22:16 says ones sins are not washed away until one is baptized. Baptism in water is the means by which the "washing of regeneration" is received and by which one is justified by the grace of God and made an heir according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).

Phrases such as "That's just your opinion" or "We just understand the Bible differently" are phrases spawned by relativism. A relative of mine whom I love dearly, is a member of a denominational church. He sometimes comes to hear me preach when I am in the area near where he lives. The last time he heard me, (I did not know he was coming), I negated nearly every major doctrine his church believes, using clear and unmistakable Scriptures in my argumentation. When I was finished, he sincerely and lovingly told me what a great job I did. What I said had really meant nothing to him because in his mind, it really doesn't matter what one believes so long as they love God and are sincere.

In the days of the apostles, people firmly believed their religious tenets and were not willing to have them challenged without a confrontation. Confrontation is not necessarily a bad thing when done in the spirit of Christ. Jesus was a confrontational person in his ministry and teaching. Perhaps another reason we don’t get the same response is that we are preaching as forcefully and clearly as those faithful New Testament preachers.

However, having made six trips to West Africa since 1999, I can tell you men are still responding to the Gospel message in large numbers. It is not unusual to hold a 2 week campaign and baptize hundreds before the conclusion of the campaign. Similar results are seen in other parts of the world as well (e.g. India).