Inherently Relativistic
I've been working on these thoughts for more than a month....so I'll have them out. They are not as refined as I'd like...but if I don't post them, I reckon they will "simmer" for a long time and I'll never post them:
Humans are relativistic creatures.
Let me define the terms (All definitions from The Merriam-Webster dictionary):
Humans: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens)
Are: to have a specified qualification or characterization
Relativistic: of, relating to, or characterized by relativity, wherein relativity is defined as the state of being dependent for existence on or determined in nature, value, or quality by relation to something else
Creatures: something created either animate or inanimate
This is the conclusion that I arrive at when I observe those around me. Having stated my method as such, I reckon that the conclusion can be thrown out due to its circular dependence on the thesis being true for the method to be valid. However, I’ve found myself thinking about this topic lately and so I have decided to write about it for I feel that the implications are far reaching in a Christian’s life—most likely more than I even realize.
"WOW! You must be going FAST!!" My little sister comments as I take off from a stoplight.
Was I going fast? No. But she could feel the acceleration and the acceleration was fast. She was basing her observation on what she could see and feel--not on what was absolute. Driving 70mph down the highway can seem very fast, but I know for a fact that it's quite boring to go merely 70mph after doing 130 (which I would not suggest). Was I going two different speeds the two different times I was going 70mph? No. i just changed what I referenced that 70mph to. If I had no speedometer, I wouldn't be able to tell how fast I was going unless I compared myself to my surrouundings, either the world or other vehicles.
Everything done by humans has to be compared to something else. Interestingly enough, this creates the need for highly visible, absolute standards. If we did not have to compare eveything, there would be no need for standards. In fact, how does one try to describe an absolute creature to our minds? Can we say that they have all the standards set inside them and they just follow that? Sorta....they would still make the decisions based on set standards: they're still comparing. Do absolute creatures compare?
God. He is absolute. As such, He is the standard and he needs no laws to be set for Him. His decisions are final. Does He really make comparisons when He judges? In that light, it makes sense that there would be only one type of sinner....a sinner. "No matter how bad you think you are, you're no worse than the next one" really is true. This doesn't mean that God doesn't love them.....God Forbid! In fact, He cannot not love them. Although His standards dictate that they be punished in their sinful state, He has, in His eyes, satisfactorily made the absolute perfect way for humans to be saved from this punishment: The Absolutely Perfect Man, Jesus Christ. His life and death characterized someone that truly saw people for who they were in perfect love. He was not afraid to say what was on His mind and take action when action was needed.
All I can ask myself is how then should I look at those around me?
I feel this is really truncated.....but please comment and ask questions...it's what I want.
Humans are relativistic creatures.
Let me define the terms (All definitions from The Merriam-Webster dictionary):
Humans: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens)
Are: to have a specified qualification or characterization
Relativistic: of, relating to, or characterized by relativity, wherein relativity is defined as the state of being dependent for existence on or determined in nature, value, or quality by relation to something else
Creatures: something created either animate or inanimate
This is the conclusion that I arrive at when I observe those around me. Having stated my method as such, I reckon that the conclusion can be thrown out due to its circular dependence on the thesis being true for the method to be valid. However, I’ve found myself thinking about this topic lately and so I have decided to write about it for I feel that the implications are far reaching in a Christian’s life—most likely more than I even realize.
"WOW! You must be going FAST!!" My little sister comments as I take off from a stoplight.
Was I going fast? No. But she could feel the acceleration and the acceleration was fast. She was basing her observation on what she could see and feel--not on what was absolute. Driving 70mph down the highway can seem very fast, but I know for a fact that it's quite boring to go merely 70mph after doing 130 (which I would not suggest). Was I going two different speeds the two different times I was going 70mph? No. i just changed what I referenced that 70mph to. If I had no speedometer, I wouldn't be able to tell how fast I was going unless I compared myself to my surrouundings, either the world or other vehicles.
Everything done by humans has to be compared to something else. Interestingly enough, this creates the need for highly visible, absolute standards. If we did not have to compare eveything, there would be no need for standards. In fact, how does one try to describe an absolute creature to our minds? Can we say that they have all the standards set inside them and they just follow that? Sorta....they would still make the decisions based on set standards: they're still comparing. Do absolute creatures compare?
God. He is absolute. As such, He is the standard and he needs no laws to be set for Him. His decisions are final. Does He really make comparisons when He judges? In that light, it makes sense that there would be only one type of sinner....a sinner. "No matter how bad you think you are, you're no worse than the next one" really is true. This doesn't mean that God doesn't love them.....God Forbid! In fact, He cannot not love them. Although His standards dictate that they be punished in their sinful state, He has, in His eyes, satisfactorily made the absolute perfect way for humans to be saved from this punishment: The Absolutely Perfect Man, Jesus Christ. His life and death characterized someone that truly saw people for who they were in perfect love. He was not afraid to say what was on His mind and take action when action was needed.
All I can ask myself is how then should I look at those around me?
I feel this is really truncated.....but please comment and ask questions...it's what I want.

1 Comments:
i think you should finish some of those thoughts...keep going!
you're right that what you know about this will have an extensive influence on a consistent Christian's life...even though these concepts may seem obscure or pointless.
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