What Is Truth?

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Just prior to the crucifixion, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth.” Little did he know that his question would echo throughout history and become a prophetic statement about modern times. Does objective truth exist today, or is all truth now subjective? How would you answer Pilate’s question?

Without truth man is navigating life without GPS, without a compass and without a map. Without truth life has no meaning. Without objective truth, there are no consequences for bad behavior, because there is no difference between right and wrong. Without truth, the commandments are no longer our guide. Without truth, mankind is lost.

Objective truth is a reality that exists independent of individual beliefs or perceptions. It is rooted in the idea that every existing thing is an expression of an idea in the mind of God. Objective truth is considered universal and unchanging, regardless of individual perspectives or cultural differences.

Subjective truth on the other hand refers to truth that is based on personal opinions, feelings, or perspectives, rather than on objective reality or external facts. It varies from person to person and is not universally valid or binding. Subjective truth can lead to ethical relativism, where individuals determine what is right or wrong based on their own subjective views, without regard for objective moral standards. This poses a grave risk to society.

Relativism asserts the absence of absolute truth and considers truth to be subjective and dependent on individual perspectives or cultural norms. Relativism leads to the belief that there is no universally binding standard for humanity, and truth is determined by majority decision or personal conscience. Relativism can lead to a rejection of objective truth and moral norms. It also leads to a decline in the recognition of sin.

According to some estimates, there are over 4,000 religions worldwide of which Christianity is just one. Within Christianity, it is estimated that there are over 45,000 denominations globally. Complicating the matter is the fact that each one claims to have truth on their side.

In our modern era, we live with the notion that truth is in the mind of the beholder. Culture tries to convince us that each person’s view of the truth is in-fact truth. Christians, however, place their faith in the unchanging objective truth revealed by God.

As Christians, we are called to uphold objective truth, which is rooted in the Gospel and moral principles that are binding and concrete. This objective truth, based on God’s revelation, should guide both our personal and public life. Christians believe the Bible is truth inspired by God. We believe the Holy Spirit guided the human authors of the Bible to write without error the truth of God that is necessary for our salvation. We accept the books of the Old and New Testaments as sacred and we believe that God is their author.

Christians believe truth is revealed in Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus is the Word of God! To seek truth means to submit to Christ’s teachings. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14: 6).

The duty of every Christian is to also bear witness to that truth revealed in Christ and to integrate this truth into all aspects of life. In Mark 12:30 Jesus states, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Therefore, understanding truth requires faith, intellect, reason, and the strength of commitment to pursue the knowledge of truth. To bear witness to the truth, demands that we ourselves seek and know the objective truth as revealed by God.

Seeking truth is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and it is a natural yearning of our soul. Christians believe that faith and reason work together in the search for truth. We are called to adhere to the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Ultimately, we believe that truth is the divine reality that guides human existence when embraced and lived out in accordance with God’s plan.

Conflicting opinions abound. Each opinion seems to be rooted in subjective truth. Objective truth has been thrown by the wayside. People no longer agree that God only made two genders, male and female. If we can’t get the simple truths right, how can we get any truth right? In the name of tolerance, truth has been torn asunder. In deference to tolerance, some pastors and churches have drifted so far afield that they believe sacred scripture is antiquated and in need to being reinterpreted.

In our modern culture, relativism seems to reign supreme. We lack all sense of right and wrong. Morality seems to be a thing of the past. Depravity, absurdity, unrestrained pursuit of human passion and carnal desire, coupled with out-of-control individualism appear to rule the day. Each person seems “hell bent” on operating by their own principles of right and wrong.

Christians have a moral responsibility to know what objective truth is and to speak out against relativism. Hebrews 13:8-9, tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.”

Next week is Holy Week, and during Holy Week most of us will read at least one, if not all of the crucifixion narratives. When we read Pilate’s words, “What is truth,” we should be ready to convincingly articulate and defend our answer. So, I conclude by again asking you the question, WHAT IS TRUTH?

Heavenly Father, instill in me knowledge of truth, wisdom to know right from wrong, courage to speak against relativism, and conviction to live in accordance to your will. Amen!

 AMDG

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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