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The Futility of Communicating With Subjectivists

by Tim Nichols

Those who are frequently "misunderstood" are also those who frequently misrepresent. This is a principle that is taught in the scriptures (1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:6-7; 4:1-5; Tit. 1:10-13) and observed in the real world. It is the result of a breakdown of rational thinking more than simply a deterioration of communication skills. It is the fruit of subjectivism. Words are assumed not to actually signify anything in these days of relativism. As a result men feel free to construe the words of others in any way they choose. They are frustrated when others attach fixed meanings to their own words. These are two sides of the same coin.

In "the old days" two men would approach a question or a problem with something in common. They both believed that truth existed and they usually believed that the truth they were seeking could be found. They may have differed widely concerning just what the truth was, but they both believed it was out there, independent of what they chose to think. They both disputed about the evidence with the mutual hope of finding the truth. Today, many in our culture have been "educated" (propagandized may be more accurate) to believe that all truth is relative. When we who yet know that truth exists and can be found attempt to speak with those who have lost this awareness we are simply not on the same page. When we present evidence for the existence of God, the inspiration of the Bible, the truthfulness of specific Bible doctrines, and the rightness and wrongness of certain human actions, we are met with befuddled looks by those who stand on no foundation and believe that none exists. While we love those who are thus adrift without anchor or rudder we are often frustrated in our attempts to find some "common ground" that will serve as a basis for study and communication.

When a subjectivist says that, "You are a dirty, stinking skunk!" he may appear shocked that you did not construe his words to mean that, "You are an immaculate, charming sweetheart." In his mind you are responsible for knowing what he meant and that what he meant was not definite and rigid. You are guilty of unfair judging when you take his words to have a discoverable design. With him, meanings are flexible rather than fixed. This can be frustrating when we are on the receiving end of "communication" with a subjectivist, but it is much more bearable than when we are on the sending end.

The subjectivist feels free to take your words to mean anything he chooses and to tell others what he has "perceived" you to say. When you say, "Please ask any questions that you may have," he feels perfectly free to tell others that you have said, "Do not ask any questions because I am not willing to answer them!" When you say, "Please make the best possible argument for the thing you believe," he broadcasts that you have said, "Shut up! You're wrong!" These are examples drawn from actual experience.

We have heard enough straw men quoted by subjectivists to supply the need of every corn field in the world. While we might as well give up trying to convince the subjectivists, we need to call them to account for the sake of those who hear their claims. We have been told that "nothing can be questioned in churches of Christ." When we ask what question they are not permitted to ask, they are at a complete loss. They have no real response because we are delighted to have questions. A few have revealed their actual mentalities by saying, "But they claim to have the answers!"

And this is the problem for the subjectivist: "answers!" He hates all things presented as absolute facts. He repudiates the very idea of undeniable truths. He paints the whole realm of ideas gray so he can select what he chooses from the whole to color either black or white at will. He cannot maneuver well in an environment with fixed boundaries and immovable obstacles. There he looses his freedom to manipulate, exploit, negotiate, and orchestrate. The Bible does not present a problem for the subjectivist because of what it specifically teaches. His problem with the Bible is that it specifically teaches. His problem with the church and her teachers is not really what is taught. His problem is that specific things are taught as inflexible truth. His battle is not really with the specific doctrines that he seems to attack. It is with the notion that specific doctrines can be settled once and for all. This places him perpetually at odds with God's people who are always prepared "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

 Other Articles by Tim Nichols
What Can be Known Can be Shown
Self Control in an Age of Softness
The Prudent Pause