Postmodern Skepticism, Relativism, and Religious Toleration in the Light of the Westminster Standards and the Thought of George Gillespie

In this postmodern context, philosophical skepticism and relativism continue to make ever deeper inroads into the Western psyche. "How can one know what is real?" And, if one cannot be sure that the human mind is in contact with reality (skepticism), then one’s worldview is little more than a personal preference (relativism). Almost any perspective (religious or otherwise) is tolerated provided that there be no assertion of objective truth and no attempt to impose it on others. The scope of the present essay is to shed old light on the present darkness. Skepticism and relativism are not new problems for Christian thinkers. The Second Reformation in England and Scotland is particularly worthy of consideration in this regard, for skepticism, relativism, and the appeal for a relativistic religious toleration were great obstacles to the completion of the reforming work. Indeed, the spiritual weapons forged in that bygone era are still “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”