[How Firm a Foundation] CreationSample

Relativism, autonomy, and God’s sovereignty

Creation was a direct act of God. Thus, there is a distinction between the Creator and the creature. We derive our existence from Him, and He is the one who assigns our identity and purpose. This truth is foundational for confronting two falsehoods. The first is the lie of relativism, which teaches that truth is relative. Truth can be whatever we want it to be, as long as we can continue to coexist.

Do you see the problem with the assertion that there’s no absolute truth? This assertion itself is a true claim! So, it is self-contradictory. It is also untenable. No one lives as though there’s no absolute truth. And this comes to the fore with the issue of morality. If someone breaks into your house and steals your valuables, you call the police. Why? Because God implanted His moral law within our consciences so that everyone believes that stealing is wrong, however much a person may want to justify it.

Moral relativism maintains that all truth is subjective—that what may be your truth isn’t true for everyone else. But if everyone acted as if their subjective feelings were the only guide to truth, we would not be able to reason, work together, or pursue justice in society.

The truth that God is the source of creation also confronts the lie of autonomy. If God is the source of creation, then He is sovereign over all. In fact, Jesus tells us that we have no power to add even a single hour to our lives (Matthew 6:27), let alone avoid death, the great equalizer that comes to all. Scripture tells us that every day of our lives has been ordained by God even before we were born (Psalm 139:16).

The lies of relativism and autonomy posit or suggest that you are god. Think about it. If you can create your own reality, then you are god. This was the original temptation Adam and Eve succumbed to in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:5). That temptation continues to manifest itself in every generation through some philosophical thought or idea because, at the end of the day, there’s really nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The lies of relativism and autonomy are Genesis 3 all over again.

God, You made me. I acknowledge You are sovereign over creation and in my life.