Is truth absolute? Recently, many have denied the existence of absolute truth. There is in vogue today a modern movement that considers truth to be relative. What is true, we are told, is relative to the individual, culture, time, and place. Something that is true for one person or society can be false for another. It is not at all uncommon today, in the Western world, to hear people say things like, "Your truth is true for you, and my truth is true for me," or "That may be true for you, but it is not true for me." The prevalent culture of our day is attempting to redefine truth as preference. According to this ideology truth is something to be subjectively determined by the individual. It is the individual who determines his favorite color, flavor of ice cream, and version of truth. The implications of relativism for Christianity should be obvious: if there is no such thing as absolute truth, then the Bible cannot be absolutely true.

            Fortunately, the philosophy of relativism collapses under its own weight. Relativism is fundamentally self-defeating. To say that there is no such thing as absolute truth is to make an absolute statement. One could ask, "Are you absolutely sure that there is no such thing as absolute truth?" Absolute truth must be employed to deny its own existence. If the statement, "All truth is relative," is to be taken seriously, then it must be true for everybody and not just for the person making the statement. Again, it could be asked, "Is that truth relative only for you or for everybody?" Do you see the fundamental error in this philosophy? If the preceding statements are true, then they are false, and if they are false, then they are false. There is absolutely no way for the statement, "All truth is relative" to be true. Therefore it must be false. Stay with this point until you get it. In addition to this, if relativism were true, then contradictions would be possible, for there would exist no conceivable way to adjudicate between contrary truth claims. Two people could each make a statement that is contradictory to the other's statement, yet both would be true. John could declare that the moon is made of cheese, and Tim could reply by denying John's claim, declaring that the moon is not made of cheese. Yet if relativism is true, then both could be right about the moon at the same time. This is clearly impossible; the moon cannot be made of cheese and not made of cheese at the same time and in the same sense. In the final analysis, there are really no such things as relative truths. For even truths that appear to be relative, such as the truth that Susan likes bubble gum, are in fact absolute. Although Susan's fancy for bubble gum is relative to her own tastes, the fact that Susan likes bubble gum is true for everybody, and not just for Susan. Truth can never be relative but must always be absolute.

            There are very few relativists who apply their philosophy of truth consistently. In fact, it seems the only time this way of thinking is utilized is when considering the big questions that relate to purpose, meaning, and God. Nobody rejects the doctor's diagnosis as being true only for the doctor, but not for the patient. Even the staunchest relativists require the absolute truth from their bankers, accountants, and brokers. If we demand absolute truth in matters relating to everyday life, why shouldn't we demand absolute truth in the more important matters relating to God and the meaning of life? We cannot have it both ways; either all truth is relative, including that statement, or all truth is absolute. As Christians, and rational human beings, we should always demand the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the absolute truth.

Anthony Alberino