An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than
he knows. by Dwight Eisenhower.

This is the third installment in a four part series dealing with the ever present dangers of apostasy from true Christian faith.

There are, of course, many forms of relativism (one would hardly expect relativism to be absolute). Although my illustrations depict the wayward Christian within a Church of absolutes, they would apply equally as well to the sea of wayward Christian churches as compared to what must have been originally, one faith - and remains one faith.

One form of relativism encourages enjoyment of the Church social organization without getting strongly considering personally theology or religious commandments. Another kind of relativism asserts that the commandments are grand but certainly open to broad private interpretation. A third form of relativism is a particular favorite in acknowledging that there are commandments or certain elements of theology, but allows indulgence in sin since "nobody's perfect." A fourth version says that the commandments or points of theology were okay at some time in the past, but they have become superfluous in our enlightened age. A fifth kind of relativism suggests that the commandments or choice of scripture were bad from the first; they are unnecessary restraints on the soul of man, preventing the achievement of happiness. A sixth type suggests that since one act cannot be differentiated from another,(all sin is equal) it doesn't matter what we do.

The great influence of all relativistic paths allow the practitioner to judge his own actions. This is why almost any approach brings a responsive, sympathetic chord in all other relativists. I is obvious that the most popular blogs in blogstream tend to preach versions of relativism. In general, people are delighted with those who preach relativism, even if they are inclined to reject much of everything else that is stated by them.

In stark contrast to the virtually infinite number of paths in the broad way of relativism is the way of the Savior. That strait and narrow way is to do as the Savior did: not to seek our own will, but to do the will of Him who placed us here for that reason. It is to know and study the word through the Spirit, obeying him in all things and in his word, which is his absolute law. The law remains absolute as it is freshly written in our hearts from revelation to revelation. The outward manifestation of the law will change over time. But the law, itself, will now change. It is to rely solely upon his merits, back during his walk, counting him as the only fountain of righteousness. We are under the obligation to study and know his truth. Because we must be willing to die for his sake, burying the old person with worldly desires in order to be born again "as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19.) and many biblical parallels.

So, the one true gospel teaches a way that is absolute-absolute in that the blueprint for righteousness is always the unchanging for every person, for every time, for every situation: take the name of Christ to yourself, always remember him, keep all his commandments. He has told us that there is no other way to righteousness. Whatsoever is not of faith in Christ is sin.

However, for many the effort is hard, the price too great. Whether they leave the Church or not, they abandon the narrow way and settle for some variety of relativism.

A certainty about relativism: One who subscribes to any version will never (unless he sincerely repents) be brought to those sacrifices that will prepare his soul to spend an eternity in blessing others. The fact is, relativism will never purify heart and mind, or transform the countenance into the image of the Savior.

God has provided a way, strait and narrow though it be, to learn and live with a pure love! But the price is great. We must place all of our heart, might, mind, and strength into his hands. We must count as meaningless everything of this world, including ourselves. This does not mean to deny our own lives, but to live fully. We can then enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, proving ourselves through self denial and works of love for others.

A sacred burden is this life ye bear:
Look on it, lift it, bear it solemnly,
Stand up and walk beneath it steadfastly.
Fail not for sorrow, falter not for sin,
But onward, upward, till the goal ye win.

Frances Anne Kemble

You know the tune, sing the words. Just sing to the bouncing shoes.

"Rainy Day Woman" by Bob Dylan
(with significant edits from Stealth)



Well, they'll stone ya when you're trying to do your best
They'll stone ya cuz their love has been repressed
They'll stone ya while standing to speak the truth
Then they'll stone ya all the way from Duluth
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned.

Well, they'll stone ya to a Bobby Dylan Tune
They'll stone ya on a Sunday afternoon
They'll stone ya while they're playing their Kazoos
They'll stone ya while delivering "Good News"
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned.

They'll stone ya while at the sacrament table
They'll stone ya when you are old and feeble
They'll stone ya when dad's dieing in his bed
They'll stone ya as his urine now turns red
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned.

Well, They'll stone you and say that it's the end
Then they'll stone you and then they'll come back again
They'll stone you when you're sittin' with your dog
They'll stone you when you're writin' in your blog
Don't lament, they can't see what they are shown
Everybody must get stoned.

Well, they'll stone you for any kinda reason
They'll stone you all through the Christmas season
They'll stone you 'cuz they are so depraved
They'll stone you as they're sittin' in their grave
But I would not feel as though defrocked
Everybody must get rocked.

Something happened that will surprise you.

The Full Text


A New York Times Reporter figures his daughter lost a form of intelligence test to a Chimp. Each were shown a box and where food could be found by pulling open a door. Each were shown unnecessary steps in retrieving the food. The unnecessary steps included pushing a rod back and forth through the box and a finger tap on top of the box. Each subject understood it was important to get the food as quickly as possible.
"Because the chimps could not see inside, they could not tell that the extra steps were unnecessary. As a result, when the chimps were given the box, two-thirds faithfully imitated the scientists to retrieve the food."
"The team then used a box with transparent walls and found a strikingly different result. Those chimps could see that the scientists were wasting their time sliding the bolt and tapping the top. None followed suit. They all went straight for the door."

80% of the children still imitated the scientists using the unnecessary steps.

So, what does this mean? You tell me.

Life came to a surprising end at the wrong end of a gun the other day. So repulsed were the Dutch upon her death that a memorial website was set up for well wishers and she now lies permanently in state at the Rotterdam museum in the Netherlands. They will be memorializing the room where she was ruthlessly killed due to the public outcry. No, we aren't talking about the Netherlands version of Marilyn Monroe.

Not thinking of any Dutch celebs, I asked my wife who she thought it might have been. She guessed Hans Brinker (with his silver skates), but no, it was Flitter, the sparrow.

Flitter, an endangered species in the Netherlands, was thought to have entered the building through a window or door only to find herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. She ended up cornered in a ballroom where over 4 million dominoes had been set up for an assault on the Guinness world record for Dominoes falling in one sequence. Fearful she would destroy the record by not remaining a spectator, an exterminator was called in and Fltter was shot dead in cold blood. With pride and a new record under their (gun)belt, the Netherlands are not sleeping so easily.

"Nothing lost (those foolish Dutch)," say the Orthodox Christians here at Blogstream.

You can be comforted in knowing that Flitter, who has the wrong kind of soul, ain't goin' to Heaven under any circumstances. But all the Orthodox Christians certainly are.

Oh, I've been to Heaven. Did I tell you? Trying to strike up a conversation with God, He shushed me and point to a tall stone enclosure to our far left. He said, "Stealth, talk in a whisper. The Orthodox are on the other side and they imagine themselves to be the only ones here."