By Tim Throckmorton
T
RUTH, that elusive and controversial subject that has
found itself discussed and debated and even denied for
ages. A brief observation reveals that truth seems to have
changed over the years. In Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, we
find the definition of truth to be: “conformity to fact or real-
ity; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall
be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely
on the truth of the scriptural prophecies.”
Today’s Merriam Webster’s definition includes, “the truth:
the real facts about something: the things that are true, the
quality or state of being true, a statement or idea that is true
or accepted as true.”
Truth today is filled with varying opinions and defini-
tions. Just ask SIRI, and she’ll point you quickly to Wikipedia
which kicks open the door to a number of opinions. Saying
truth is one thing, but knowing and believing it is another.
In a postmodern world that denies that truth can be known,
defining truth is more important than ever.
Truth is not simply whatever works. Truth is not what
makes people feel good. Truth is not what the majority
says is true. Fifty-one percent of a group can reach a wrong
conclusion. Truth is not defined by what is intended because
good intentions can still be wrong. Truth is not simply what
is believed. A lie believed is still a lie.
There are a number of philosophies and worldviews that
challenge the concept of truth. The philosophy of relativism
says that all truth is relative and there is no such thing as
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absolute truth. But one has to ask, is the claim “all truth is
relative” a relative truth or an absolute truth? Those who
follow the philosophy of skepticism simply doubt all truth.
The disciples of postmodernism affirm no particular truth.
The popular worldview of pluralism says all truth claims are
equally valid. Of course, this is impossible. Pluralism says it
is true and anything opposed to it is false, which is a claim
that denies its own foundation!
The Unpopular and Offensive Nature of Truth
A common complaint against anyone claiming to have abso-
lute truth in matters of faith and religion is that such a stance
is “narrow-minded” or that it is arrogant to claim someone
is right and another person is wrong. Another protest
against truth is that it is offensive and divisive to claim one
has the truth. Instead, the critic argues, all that matters is
sincerity. The problem with this position is that truth is
immune to and unaffected by sincerity. Someone who picks
up a bottle of poison and sincerely believes it is lemonade
will still suffer the unfortunate effects of the poison. Finally,
truth cares nothing of desire. A person may strongly desire
that their car has not run out of gas, but if the gauge says
the tank is empty, no desire in the world will miraculously
cause the car to keep going. As Christian apologist Ravi
Zacharias puts it, “The fact is, the truth matters … especially
when you’re on the receiving end of a lie. And nowhere is
this more important than in the area of faith and religion.
Eternity is an awfully long time to be wrong.”