In my last post we explored the importance of a strong foundation on which to build our life upon. The component of "truth" in laying our foundation is critical to the stability of our lives. With so much changing in our world day by day, minute by minute, second by second wouldn't it be nice to have an anchor? A solid place, a safe haven, on which to stand as the storms of life come our way. Someone we can count on when our nation, community, neighbors,friends, spouse, and family let us down.
When I began to research the meaning of the word truth I was amazed! There are over a dozen theories of what truth means or is. There are differing claims on such questions as what constitutes truth; what things are truth bearers capable of being true or false; how to define and identify truth; the roles that revealed and acquired knowledge play; and whether truth is subjective, relative, objective, or absolute. Wow, no wonder so many people are confused about truth!
The question of truth became controversial after Darwin's theory of evolution and it's influence on philosophy in the late 19th century was significant and haunts us to this day. Within his pragmatic approach
James Peirce theorized that truth is relative; it did not exist in the abstract but happened under particular circumstance. He believe the mind has a "vote" in determining truth. This type of thinking brings about the many problems within our society today. This philosophy encourages materialism, individualism, selfishness, self-illusion, even goes as far as justifying sin. Relativism also breeds insecurity, for there is no certainty, no comforting reliance on any eternal value in the absence of absolute truth. Insecurity causes fear, aggression, alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, depression, despair, hopelessness, and a variety of other societal problems that many people encounter today.
The definition for absolute is free from imperfection, and most importantly free from control, restriction, or qualification. God's Word therefore qualifies for absolute truth.
The Bible refers to God being the God of truth in Psalm 31:5: "Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." and in Isiah 65:16: "Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes." In the Gospels, Jesus begins over 50 sentences with "I tell you the truth..."! Jesus reveals himself to his disciples as the "Way, the TRUTH, and the life" (John 14:6).
Were you stand on your belief of what truth is will determine how stable your foundation is. Believing God's Word as the only source of absolute truth is essential in building a strong foundation. His Word was here before relativism was even dreamed up, His Word stands as true to day as it was yesterday, His truth will remain forever.
Are you feeling the symptoms of relativism? I invite you to continue on with me and find freedom from relativism in the never changing, eternal, Word of God. Join me next time as we take a look at our "Blueprint".
