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Absolute Truth in an Age of Relativism
In post-modern Britain, is it illogical, outdated or arrogant to define what absolute truth constitutes? Can the plumb line of truth be utilized to discern right from wrong. Can truth be proven or disproven one way or the other? If there are no absolutes are there any certainties in this world? Furthermore does it really matter or affect one's lifestyle to be committed to biblical truth in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the truth?
Well firstly it certainly isn't logical to deny the existence of total truth or what Francis Schaeffer would refer to as ‘true truth'. To dismiss the concept of absolute truth is in fact a logical fallacy. Simply explained, if someone is absolutely sure that there is no such thing as absolute truth they have uttered a statement with absolute conviction confirming they are certain that nothing is certain!
The dangers of subscribing to that view are obvious. The absence of being convinced that absolute truth does exist doesn't negate the existence of morals in its entirety. However it does open up a more serious question as to what basis of authority laws may be implemented?
On how many occasions have people attempted to persuade others that they don't need God? A question they won't be able to answer satisfactorily is, well if there isn't a God who is to determine what is right and wrong and how can anyone be morally objective?
So maybe we do need God, because with out Him there would be chaos. The Flood, Babel and Sodom and Gomorrah are just a few examples of how society rapidly disintegrates when it is committed to godlessness. More contemporary examples could include the fall of Communism, or Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.
Others then, blindly crave religious autocracy regardless of its virtues but purely for its cohesive value. A famous advocate of that perspective was President Eisenhower ‘Our government makes no sense unless it is founded on a deeply held religious belief and I don't care what it is.'
Ironically religion in itself is not the answer since alongside greed and the love of mammon it is the root cause of most wars and conflicts. On the flip side if everyone subscribed to a particular religion that wasn't founded on truth unity may be achieved, but at what cost? A religion that encompassed everyone's selfish presuppositions would be meaningless, as it would attempt to accommodate an almost inexhaustible reservoir, of independently contrived opinion.
Jesus claimed to teach the truth and be the truth and was begotten not created and is the same yesterday, today and forever, truth is not an evolving concept that needs to be redefined and recontextualised through the epochs of time. God and His word are the plumb line of truth.
Neither can Jesus be considered to be one truth amongst a number of truths. Some advocate that a particular view is true because you believe it to be so, (even when the fundamental characteristics contradict their friend's view, which is also supposed to be true), it's just that they choose not to believe it! In other words the popular concept of universalism, which essentially advocates the coexistence of multiple truths, cannot be true!
The uniqueness of Christ and the testimony of His word prove that He is the truth. Moreover Paul preached that Jesus was the Christ in the synagogues, ‘and confounded the Jews in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 9:22) and Apollos ‘refuted the Jews publicly showing that Jesus is the Christ.' (Acts 18:28) Jesus had a unique virgin birth, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, fulfilled scores or prophesies, had a unique death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus resurrection was witnessed by over five hundred individuals and Josephus and Tacitus reference Him also. Considering that the bible is the most published and widely read book in the world and that the sheer number and quality of early manuscripts supersede other ancient historical works, is it little surprise Jesus said ‘You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life: and these are they which testify of Me.' (John 5:39)
Jesus exclusively claimed to represent the truth, explain the truth and lead us to the truth. Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.' (John 14:6) He said ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free' (John 8:32) ‘God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.' (John 4:24) Furthermore the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth! (John 16:13) Is it any surprise that Jesus said ‘Truly I say to you (Luke 12:44, 21:3) and ‘But I tell you the truth' (Luke 4:25, 9:27) and when Jesus walked on water those that were in the boat worshipped Him saying ‘Truly you are the Son of God' (Matt 14:33) and the centurion and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that happened they stated unequivocally ‘Truly this was the son of God!' (Matt 27:54)
To conclude then, truth is timeless and it is not arrogant to define what truth is and is not. Without truth there can be no justice. We have the word of God and the Holy Spirit is ever present in the life of the believer to teach them all things and guide them into all truth. Jesus is the truth and without Him life would be meaningless. To believe in the truth means to believe in the Lord Jesus and is of upmost importance. It means to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. |
