If what I believe is true…that most facts are unimportant, and there must be other facts that are important and worthy of review. I believe that life comes down to one basic absolute truth.
And what is that one truth you say? That there is a loving God that created us for his good pleasure and we exist to have fellowship with him. This is an “Absolute Truth” It may not be for you, but it is for me and a lot of other Christians in this world.
“Absolute truth” is defined as inflexible reality: fixed, invariable, unalterable facts. For example, it is a fixed, invariable, unalterable fact that there are absolutely no square circles and there are absolutely no round squares.
You cannot logically argue against the existence of absolute truth. To argue against something is to establish that a truth exists. You cannot argue against absolute truth unless an absolute truth is the basis of your argument.
Consider a few of the classic arguments and declarations made by those who seek to argue against the existence of absolute truth…
“There are no absolutes.” First of all, you are declaring there are absolutely no absolutes. That is an absolute statement. The statement is logically contradictory. If the statement is true, there is, in fact, an absolute – there are absolutely no absolutes. The statement itself becomes an absolute.
“Truth Is Relative.” Again, this is an absolute statement, implying truth is absolutely relative. Everything, including that statement, would be relative. If a statement is relative, it is not always true. If “truth is relative” it is not always true, sometimes truth is not relative. This means there are absolutes, which means the above statement is false. When you follow the logic, relativist arguments will always contradict themselves.
Factual data must be true to be factual. Otherwise, it is a lie or an erroneous conclusion that cannot be substantiated. It is, in fact, a false assumption that is being presented as truth, thus, in my thinking, being unimportant.
The irony is that most folks believe the lie, draw erroneous conclusions and dwell in falsehoods. How do I know this is true? Because most folks do not follow the teaching of the Bible and do not seek truth.
Jesus said, (to his followers) “Ye shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32.
Some will say, “Who Knows What The Truth Is, Right?“In the same sentence, they declare that no one knows what the truth is. Then they turn around and ask those who are listening to affirm the truth of their statement.
The speaker obviously believes his statement is true. There are philosophers who spend countless hours toiling over thick volumes written on the “meaninglessness” of everything. We are supposed to believe their words are meaningful! Hower, it is just a bunch of unimportant facts.
Then there are those philosophy teachers who teach their students,
1. “No one’s opinion is superior to anyone else’s.”
2. “There is no hierarchy of truth or values.”
3. “Anyone’s viewpoint is just as valid as anyone else’s.”
4. “We all have our own truth.”
Jesus knew that the truth has a liberating power to break strongholds and set captive free. He also saw himself as the embodiment of “Absolute Truth.” He declared that as recorded in John 14:6, “I am the “WAY”, the “TUTH” and the “LIFE.”
Thus, the truth of facts is found in the belief system of those who believe the facts presented to them. In my humble opinion, the words of Jesus and the principles of the holy scriptures are the foundation of all truth and that superweeds all other known data.
Absolute Truth And Morality
Morality is a facet of absolute truth. Thus, relativists often declare, “It’s wrong for you to impose your morals on me.” By declaring something is wrong, the relativist is contradicting himself by imposing his morals upon you.
You might hear, “There is no right, there is no wrong!” You must ask, is that statement right or wrong? If you catch a relativist in the act of doing something they know is wrong, and you try to point it out to them, they may respond in anger, “Truth is relative! There is no right and there is no wrong! We should be able to do whatever we want!”
Again, if that is a true statement and there is no right and there is no wrong, and everyone should be able to do whatever they want, then why have they become angry? What basis do they have for their anger? You cannot be appalled by an injustice, or anything else for that matter, unless an absolute has somehow been violated.
What I discovered early on is that the world is filled with “Absolute Truth.” It seems the more we argue against it, the more we prove its existence.
Reality is absolute whether you feel like being cogent or not. Philosophically, relativism is contradictory.
A Relativistic Viewpoint
A relativist maintains that everyone should be able to believe and do whatever he or she wants. Of course, this view is emotionally satisfying, until that person comes home to find his house has been robbed, or someone seeks to hurt him, or someone cuts in front of him in line.
No relativist will come home to find his house robbed and say, “Oh, how wonderful that the burglar was able to fulfill his or her view of reality by robbing my house. Who am I to impose my view of right and wrong on this wonderful burglar?”
Quite the contrary, the relativist will feel violated just like anyone else. And then, of course, it is OK for him to be a relativist, as long as the “system” acts in an “Absolute” way by protecting his or her “unalienable rights.”
As you can see, facts are supported by beliefs that are true or false. The true or false conclusions are in the minds of the one proclaiming the facts.
The true or false of the data will surface when our beliefs are challenged and we investigate their validity. I have done this and do so proHreep-in do I proclaim the truth that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, sent by God the Father, to die for our sins as a sacrifice to set us free. His resurrection from the dead stands as absolute truth that he was and still is who he said he was. Over 500 people witnesses his assertion into heaven.
This absolute truth is supported by John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall have everlasting life.”
The facts are evident, and the truth is alive and real. Absolute has been obtained, because it is the Word of God, which will stand against every challenge and every lie in every situation. This absolute is the very core of morality. It is the essence of God’s word and it does not change.
Now, are you living in truth that is absolute? Or are you caught up in a false assumption or someone else’s opinion that does not hold water? The Bible is full of absolute truth. If you have questions, let me suggest you ask the Lord and search out the answers provided by God in his holy word.
Until next time
John Marinelli, Author & Poet