Last week we dicussed a difficult topic that is a big concern in our culture today. Many people believe that there is no such thing as absolute truth and that all things are "Relative". In fact according to statistics the following is true:
57% percent of youth do not believe in absolute truth! This is extremely troubling.
In John 14:6 Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". In this statement Jesus is saying that he is the absolute standard of truth. He is truth. His very nature is truth. Truth is not created or based on our situation or experiences but truth is revealed and found only in Jesus Christ.
On the opposite spectrum we have relativism which claims that truth is more so developed by an individuals perspective, and that absolute truth can't exist. The following are some of the claims of relativism as compared to absolute truth.
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Relative Truth (core statements) Truth is created not discovered. Truth is a matter of point of view and each culture or individual defines for themselves what is true. Since truth is invented, there is no universal truth. Each individual will define truth differently according to their background and point of view. Truth changes. Since it is connected to individuals and cultures which continually change, truth will also change. Since truth is a matter of a group or persons point of view, a persons beliefs can change if a statement is true or not. There can be no such thing as absolute truth. Absolute truth is not knowable. Absolute truth cannot be known since it is built on the changing foundation of how a man sees things. Because a persons view changes, truth cannot be known. |
Absolute Truth (core statements) Truth is discovered not invented. Truth has always existed.
Truth is transcultural: it can be conveyed across different cultures.
Truth is unchanging: it can be conveyed across time. .
Beliefs cannot change a truth statement no matter how sincere one may be
All Truths are absolute
Truth is knowable |
How do we know the truth?
This is difficult to understand but God initially reveals truth to us based upon our response to his prompting. He foreknows those that will be his. It clearly says in the bible that no one can come to God unless God allows it.
John 6:65 And He said, Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to me by My Father.
(After we are christians his holy spirit continues to guide and direct us in truth.)
Romans 1:18-20
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
God has clearly laid his truth out for everyone to see, but clearly not everyone will choose to believe this. Someone may come up to you and say, "that is impossible. What if someone were in a remote jungle somewhere in africa and he has never had the word of god preached to him or heard of god where his is, how is that person going to know God?"
God clearly says if they desired to see truth for what it is, they would recognize the creator as truth and listen to his voice.
John 18:37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
Pilate then responds to Jesus in a rather sarcastic tone as if to say can anyone really ever know truth. "Truth, what is truth?"
Mathew 16:13-17
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Do not get discouraged if you are not able to convince people to accept the truth of Christ. It clearly says that some will not choose to accept it as truth. This is due to a supression of the truth. Not lack of evidence. We as christians do not know who Christ will reveal his truth to so its our duty to continue speaking the truth of the gospel to those we know. Relativism is dangerous because it can justify all kinds of evil. It confuses what is right and wrong, good and evil.
Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
not to mention it denies that absolute truth exists, which God IS.
