The Offensive Truth: Relativism and Our Kids

Breakpoint with Chuck Colson ^ | 6/20/2007 | Chuck Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

I was dismayed a while back when I learned that a Barna survey found that “less than one out of every ten churched teenagers has a biblical worldview.” But a survey is just that, a survey. Things couldn’t be that bad, could they? Well, I recently heard a shocking story that vividly illustrates just how far relativism has infected the Church—to the point where Christian kids balk at the idea that Christianity would claim to be, of all things, true.

Four years ago, the BreakPoint staff and I launched Centurions, an intensive, year-long education program designed to equip 100 people each year to defend a biblical worldview and teach it to others.

One of our Centurions participants takes that call very seriously as she works with students at a local middle school. She sponsors a Christian club at the school, voluntary of course, and in accord with all the state laws. The students lead the club, and she mentors those leaders.

The club has been studying the ReWired curriculum, which BreakPoint created with Ron Luce’s Teen Mania. The DVD explores the four basic worldview questions: Where do I come from? Why is the world in such a mess? Is there a way to fix it? Is there a purpose for my life?

Everything was going fine until the group reached lesson 10. Lesson 10 leads the kids through a series of choices to learn to recognize the difference between matters of truth and matters of taste. One of the choices, “believing Islam, Buddhism or Christianity,” flashed on the screen.

Our Centurion—I’ll call her Joanne, told me what happened next: “The students went nuts. All but one of the eight leaders completely balked at the concept of distinguishing Christianity as true and other religions as false.”

The next day when they met again, Joanne told the students leaders that they would not have to teach lesson 10 to other students if they didn’t believe it.

Joanne learned that several of the seventh graders had talked to their parents or pastors over night. But the result of those conversations was shocking. One girl had written a paper that night on “why we shouldn't hurt others feelings by claiming our way is right.” One young lady had met with her pastor, who told her no one can be sure of truth. “It is all perspective,” he said. The students agreed that they should not offend others by saying Christianity is true. Only one was prepared to teach it.

While Joanne respected the authority of the parents and pastors, she encouraged the students to continue to consider the concept of truth, reminding them that Christianity--like Islam and many other religions--makes an exclusive claim to truth. She also reminded them that the words “I am the way, the truth and the life . . . no man comes to the Father except by me,” were Jesus' words, not hers.

What I find really shocking here is what this story tells us about the state of discipleship, not just of our kids, but of parents and pastors. This story is a wake-up call. We must learn what we believe, why we believe it and then instill it into our children, giving them a biblical view of all of life. We can’t stand idly by while relativism undermines the faith of our kids and robs them of the one sure hope they have—and desperately need. Friends, if this story gets to you like it gets to me, it’s time we got busy.

[Elsie]

What’s the problem with being afraid to speak the truth?

http://moviewavs.com/0028375953/WAVS/Movies/Few_Good_Men/truth1.wav

[Elsie]

Revisionist Italian foods are sinful!!

Return to the fold of Pasta (SBUI) and the Great FSM will forgive!

[Elsie]

Liberals think it’s okay to seek truth as long as you never find it.

 

2 Timothy 3

 1.  But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
 2.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
 3.  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
 4.  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--
 5.  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
 6.  They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,
 7.  always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

[Elsie]

Evil triumphs when good people do nothing.

HEY!!

That'd make a good bumper sticker!

[fr_freak]

If you truly believe in the flying spaghetti monster, than I expect you to preach it to the world, not hide your beliefs in the closet, or preach some wishy-washy “other pastas may be valid” kind of philosophy.

[JamesP81]

For example, this particular group would pray all the time for “things” to be delivered to them. They’d have collections for the poor. They’d make sweeping statements, such as, “We’re here to honor God.” They were always smiling and mentioning God. That seemed to be the extent of their “Christianity”. For the life of me, in two years with them, I couldn’t figure out what else they stood for. My kids were baffled, too.

There are many that their faith is merely a tool for them to feel good about themselves. For them, it is not about serving the Living God, it's about feeling good about themselves.

[WKUHilltopper]

“I was dismayed a while back when I learned that a Barna survey found that “less than one out of every ten churched teenagers has a biblical worldview.”

Pffft! What rock have you been living under?

[Mr. Silverback]

For me, caring about others means being judgmental and helping people get on to the right path, and telling them when they are on the wrong path.

Yeah, how compassionate is it to avoid telling your neighbor his house is house is on fire because it might stress him out?

[Vanders9]

Long ago, when I wasnt in faith, I remember clearly praying “God, if you do exist, if you are there, show yourself to me. Let me know you are there”.

I don’t believe that anyone can make a prayer lke that, and really mean it, and not have it answered.

[Elsie]

Amen!

[uptoolate]

What drew you to pray?

[Vanders9]

I can’t remember the exact circumstances now. I didn’t get an immediate answer, the whole process went on over several months, as indeed it often does.

I can remember feeling quite depressed with my life, about the direction is wasn’t going. Various faithful Christians were witnessing to me, in a very gentle manner.

[Mr. Silverback]

“One young lady had met with her pastor, who told her no one can be sure of truth”

When i read that part I shuddered for that pastor, because I recalled what it says in the Bible about teachers being judged more strictly. I pray he wises up.

[stephenjohnbanker]

We need alot of prayers these days. Tough times for Christians and patriots.

[Mr. Silverback]

As long as the kids themselves think Christianity is true what’s the problem?

How are you missing this? They either don't really believe Christianity is true or they don't know the basics of their own religion! It is a core tenet of Christianity that Jesus Christ is the one way to salvation. These kids are like Buddhists who think Nirvana is just a band Kurt Cobain used to be in.

[Mr. Silverback]

We must teach...no, instill...no, wait, ram this down the throats of our children or we will all perish!

I'm fascinated to know which thing you consider to be "ramming down the throats" of children. Is it the attendance at the voluntary after-school club that is "ramming" or is it telling a non-believer that your religion will save their soul that is "ramming?" Or, was it ramming when the teacher told these kids they could opt out of the activity if they weren't comfortable with it?

You see coercion where ther is none. Ask yourself why.

[Mr. Silverback]

Pontius Pilate would have agreed. (”What is truth?”)

Very well put!

[Mr. Silverback]

Seriously? I should accept Jesus because 10 years ago “Guy Cramer” wrote a piece using incomprehensible language and math claiming to prove that the Old Testament correctly predicted the date of Israel’s independence?

No, you should accept Christ because you're a sinner and desperately need His love. You should accept Christ not because you might die tonight, but because you will live tomorrow, and the day after that...

[Mr. Silverback]

What's the problem with being afraid to speak the truth?

Direct hit!

[Mr. Silverback]

My late husband was a Catholic. The priest visited me when he died and looked at me aghast, knowing that I am a saved Pentecostal Christian, “Do you mean you believe in the resurrection?” He asked. I couldn’t believe it. He was probably in his 30’s, and this was 12 years ago. The Seminaries don’t teach em like they used to I guess.

Oy vey!