What is truth?When asked this question, readers of the Bible often first think of Pilate’s question to Jesus in John 18:38: “What is truth?” Today, many still wrestle with the idea of absolute truth. What it is, where to find it, and whether it even exists.A simple definition of truth is “something that corresponds to a fact.” In other words, it is “truth” that water is a substance that consists of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen found in oceans, rivers, and other locations. The statement corresponds to the facts. Therefore, if reality exists, then truth must exist because reality is comprised of facts. To deny a truth claim is to make a competing truth claim. For example, Person 1 says, “My chrysanthemums are wilting.” But Person 2 says, “That is not true.” Both have made truth claims. Person 2 has declared that the original statement is untrue, and this implies another truth (perhaps the chrysanthemums are made of silk). Contrasting statements may claim to be true, but only what corresponds to the facts can be considered true. The next question is, “Can truth be known?” As human beings, we cannot claim to know all truth—being human carries with it many limitations—but there are true things we can discover. This is true in the physical world (identifying rocks and trees) and in the abstract world (working with numbers or ideas). Reality can be perceived, and we can learn the truth about it. This includes an ability to evaluate spiritual truth claims about God. At this point, the law of non-contradiction can be helpful in discovering whether an idea is true. The law of non-contradiction states that two opposing ideas cannot both be true at the same time and place under the same conditions. In other words, the equations 2+2 = 4 and 2+2 = 5 cannot both be true at the same time and place under the same conditions. The sum must be one or the other, 4 or 5. Applied to spiritual truth, the law of non-contradiction helps evaluate many ideas regarding God. For example, a single God either exists or does not exist. A single God cannot logically exist for one person but not for another. In other words, the postmodern claim that “it’s true for you, but not for me” is inconsistent when it comes to God’s existence. He either exists or not. He cannot both exist and not exist at the same time and place in the same conditions. Another example: Christianity’s fundamental tenet is the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Did He come alive again or not? There are only two options. The facts must be gathered and the evidence weighed before a conclusion is reached. While acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior is an act of faith, the resurrection is a matter of fact. It either took place or it did not. Regarding the Bible, is it the inspired Word of God or not? It must be inspired, inspired in part, or not inspired. The options are limited. Jesus said that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). Was He right or wrong? It is inconsistent to claim that “truth is relative” because truth is not relative. Truth is that which corresponds to fact. Is it a fact that the Bible is inspired, or not? It can’t be inspired for some people but not for others. Some issues may be a matter of opinion; e.g., what is the best-tasting fruit? However, many other issues are a matter of fact or of truth; e.g., is an apple a fruit? Opinions are relative; truth is not. Apples are a fruit, regardless of taste. Opinions about the Bible are relative to each person; the truth about the Bible is a fact to be discovered. When we face questions of truth, the wise response is to evaluate the options and determine the best answer based on the available information. Our understanding of truth (and our opinion of it) may vary from one person to another, but truth itself is consistent. We need not abandon the concept of truth simply because others have a different understanding or belief. Ultimately, truth is a spiritual issue as well as a philosophical one. Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). If He is the truth, then the proper response would be to follow Him and His teachings. Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” continues to resonate today as we each must decide what to do when we encounter Jesus Christ.  Truth about Worldview and Apologetics |
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