The question of whether truth is relative or absolute is an important one that has significant implications for how we understand reality, ethics, and spirituality. Though postmodernism has promoted truth relativism in recent decades, Christianity has historically affirmed that truth is grounded in the eternal and unchanging God, and is therefore objective and absolute.
According to the Bible, truth is based on the character and nature of God, who is the ultimate standard and touchstone of what is real and true. As John 14:6 declares, Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” God is truth personified, the source from which all truth flows. Moreover, truth corresponds to reality because God created and upholds the universe by his word (Genesis 1, Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, Christian theism grounds truth in God’s own being and actions.
Furthermore, the Bible presents truth as fixed and reliable, not relative or changing. God’s testimonies are said to be “sure” and “altogether righteous” (Psalm 19:7-9). Jesus prayed to the Father, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17), indicating the absoluteness of God’s revelations. Biblical authors frequently contrasted truth with falsehood (1 John 2:21), confirming that truth is objective. Paul commended the Corinthians for their acknowledgment of “the truth of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:10), suggesting an exclusive nature of truth in Christ over against error.
In addition, Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). He promised that the Spirit would convict the world “concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8), implying these moral standards are universal and binding. Truth is thus understood as independent of human opinion, rooted in God’s unchanging character and standards which are revealed to humanity.
Now Scripture does acknowledge that human perception and knowledge of absolute truth is imperfect and partial (1 Corinthians 13:12). In God alone truth finds its unity and coherence. Moreover, there are some domains like aesthetics and etiquette where reasonable debate may exist over what constitutes good taste or proper manners. Yet this does not mean truth itself is relative.
Furthermore, Christianity recognizes that human cultures and societies differ significantly in their customs, ethics and beliefs. But this does not imply that all values and moral codes are equally true and valid. The Bible unapologetically presents sinful beliefs and behaviors as falsehoods that fall short of God’s standards. Christian truth stands over culture as a trans-cultural reality rooted in God’s revelation and moral law.
In summary, the relativistic view that all perspectives and beliefs are equally valid is incompatible with Christian faith. Truth corresponds to God’s objective reality, and it is our responsibility and privilege to align our thinking and lives accordingly by God’s grace. Though truth is sometimes complex, Scripture affirms that absolute truth exists because God has revealed himself, his moral standards, and the meaning of existence in his Word and in Christ.
Biblical Teaching on Absolute Truth
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that truth is grounded in the eternal God who is its source and standard. Here are some key biblical teachings that affirm objective and absolute truth:
- God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). It reliably reveals God’s nature, purposes and saving acts in history.
- God’s testimonies are enduring and completely true (Psalm 119:160). His truth is stable, eternal and not relative.
- The Spirit guides believers into all truth (John 16:13). There is a body of absolute truth He reveals to God’s people.
- God’s commandments are truth (Psalm 119:151). His moral law reflects His unchanging righteousness.
- All God’s works are true (Psalm 33:4). He is the source of truth in the natural world and history.
These verses indicate that truth originates from God himself. It is a reflection of his being, and is revealed through his Word, his law, his acts in history and creation. Because God does not change, truth does not change. What aligned with God’s nature and righteousness 3000 years ago still does so today. Though our understanding of truth develops, truth itself is fixed and absolute.
Truth in Christ
The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the supreme revelation of God’s truth. In becoming incarnate, Jesus uniquely manifested the glory of God (John 1:14-18) and enabled humans to encounter absolute truth face to face. Several key passages emphasize this crucial point:
- Jesus said “I am the truth” (John 14:6). He is the perfect embodiment and fulfillment of truth.
- The Spirit bears witness about Christ who is the truth (1 John 5:6). He is the reference point for all truth.
- Truth is found in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:21). Truth is centered on his person and work.
- The gospel is the word of truth (Colossians 1:5). Christ as Savior and Lord is the core content of divine truth.
To know Jesus Christ is to know truth, because he is the perfect image of the invisible God, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2). Salvation comes through sanctification by the truth, which is God’s Word (John 17:17). Clearly, Scripture presents Christ as the source, center and supreme manifestation of absolute truth. No view of truth is biblical which does not recognize its incarnation in Jesus.
Truth and the Great Commission
Some argue that witnessing to unbelievers involves imposing one’s perspective onto others. Since truth is apparently relative, no one has the right to convert others to their understanding of truth. However, this view fundamentally contradicts the Great Commission.
In Matthew 28:18-20, the resurrected Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” The Great Commission assumes that objective truth exists in Christ, who has supreme cosmic authority over every sphere. And it commands followers of Christ to spread this absolute truth to every nation on earth.
Clearly, evangelism and missions are based on the premise that objective and universal truth is found in Christ alone. There would no basis for preaching the gospel if truth was relative. The apostles boldly preached Christ because they knew he was the way, the truth and the life, not one optional perspective among many. They called all people everywhere to repent and believe the truth (Mark 1:15).
Moreover, Scripture foretold how the nations would stream to God’s mountain to learn his ways and walk in his truth (Isaiah 2:2-3). All cultures are called to submit themselves to the objective truth God has authoritatively revealed. Converting nonbelievers is not imposing one’s personal values, but sharing the only absolute truth that sets people free from sin and falsehood.
Truth and the Exclusivity of Christ
A common objection against Christianity is that its claim to absolute truth is arrogant and intolerant. Secular voices argue no one has the right to say their religion possesses the one universal truth for all. But this moral indignation fundamentally misunderstands the message of the Bible. Biblical Christianity does not claim possession of truth, but rather truth possessing the believer through Christ.
Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The early church proclaimed salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). These verses do not express human pride and triumphalism, but humble submission to the glory and uniqueness of Christ.
Indeed, Jesus is only the way because he is first the truth incarnate. He did not just proclaim truth, but embodied and fulfilled it. His exclusivity is not a product of human bigotry, but of the fact that God alone could accomplish salvation. One cannot reject Jesus’ claim to absolute truth without also rejecting his mission to save the world from sin.
Moreover, recognizing the exclusivity of Christ should produce not arrogance but urgent love. Realizing God’s mercy in revealing the truth that sets us free should make Christians more eager to share this grace with all peoples. For finite human perspectives cannot save, but only the eternal truth of Christ.
Truth and the Basis for Ethics
Postmodern relativism has influenced much contemporary thought regarding ethics. Many now assume that morality is not grounded in universal absolutes, but constructed by variable social and cultural forces. This has opened the door to ethical relativism where rights and wrongs differ between communities.
By contrast, the Bible presents an ethical framework grounded in the universal truth of God’s moral law and character. The Ten Commandments were rooted in God’s righteous being and continued to guide Israel long after their establishment at Sinai. Ethical commands like love, justice and purity reflected the character of God. New Testament authors reaffirmed the enduring relevance of God’s law, fulfilled in Christ (Romans 13:8-10).
Moreover, Jesus repeatedly addressed absolute moral issues like murder, adultery, lust and divorce. His ethical teachings were not culturally relative, but spoke to the universal human condition. Paul exhorted early believers to discern what is good, acceptable and perfect according to God’s will (Romans 12:1-2). Biblical ethics presumed that moral truth exists, anchored in the righteousness of the eternal Creator and Redeemer.
Only the existence of absolute truth can ground human rights, justice and dignity. If morals were relative, the strong could crush the weak and self-servingly define right and wrong. Thankfully, God has instilled moral conscience in all people (Romans 2:14-15) and revealed his truth to guide humanity in goodness, love and justice.
Truth in a Pluralistic Age
Despite frequent claims that absolute truth is intolerant, Christians must continue upholding biblical truth with grace. Jesus declared that he is the truth who sets people free (John 8:31-32). God’s Word is truth that enlightens the eyes and imparts wisdom (Psalm 119:105, 130). Ultimately, our culture’s rejection of absolute truth reflects a rejection of Christ who embodied it.
Yet God in his mercy has promised that his eternal truth will endure forever (Psalm 117:2). No person or philosophy can erase the image of God in human hearts and his truth implanted in creation. As darkness increases, the attractiveness of Christ’s truth shining in the lives of believers will also increase.
Therefore, Christians must declaratively yet gently continue proclaiming that absolute truth exists. For human flourishing is found not in inventing our own truth, but discovering the liberating truth God has graciously revealed in Christ and Scripture. We must model how God’s truth brings freedom, hope and moral conviction to dispel relativism’s confusion, despair and unethical ideologies.
By humbly submitting all thought to biblical truth, Christians can be salt and light in an unsure world. For human philosophies will come and go, but the eternal truth of Christ remains forever. God’s truth alone can heal humanity’s spiritual crisis in our pluralistic age.
Common Objections to Absolute Truth
Despite Scripture’s emphatic teaching about absolute truth grounded in God’s Word, several objections commonly arise:
- Truth is individual – Some argue that truth is whatever one personally believes or experiences to be real. However, human minds are limited and flawed. Biblical faith roots truth in God’s eternal nature, not subjective human ideas.
- Truth is culturally constructed – While cultures shape human ideas of truth, they are not free to construct contradictory truths. Only God’s revelation establishes the standard of what is objectively real and right.
- Arrogance – Charges of arrogance forget that Christians merely proclaim the truth God has supremely revealed in Christ. Truth is not the property of any individual or culture.
- No one has access to absolute truth – Everyone depends on some source of authority for what they accept as absolutely true. The question is which source proves most reliable and consistent.
- Biblical truth claims can’t be proven – Scripture’s truth claims rest on eyewitness testimony to Christ and fulfilled prophecy confirming God’s Word. Belief in empirical truths also depends on trusting reliable witnesses.
- Absolutes limit freedom – God’s truth expands human freedom. Jesus said knowing the truth liberates (John 8:32). It is sin and falsehood that enslave people.
Despite these objections, Christians affirm absolute truth because we accept God’s Word as the supreme authority over human thought and culture. Submission to unchanging biblical truth allows us to uphold ethics, point people to salvation in Christ, and bring hope to a confused world. Clinging to the eternally firm foundation of God’s truth is the only sure way to know reality and be truly free.
Principles for Speaking Truth in Love
Christian truth claims are sometimes perceived as harsh, judgmental or intolerant. Yet Jesus beautifully modeled how to speak absolute truth in graceful love. Based on Christ’s example, here are several principles for communicating truth to a relativistic world:
- Truth must be spoken with humility and compassion.
- Affirm common ground shared values where possible.
- Ask good questions and listen carefully to understand different perspectives.
- Avoid self-righteous and condemning attitudes when addressing opposing views.
- Make truth claims sincerely and thoughtfully, not flippantly.
- Present logical reasoning, but acknowledge mystery and limitations in our framing of truth.
- Major on the gospel of Christ, not just moral standards.
- Recognize that persuasion includes both proclamation of truth and demonstration through life example.
While committed to biblical truth, Christians should be known for gracious speech seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). For we proclaim not just abstract principles, but the truth incarnate in Jesus. Standing for absolute truth does not justify angry rhetoric or pride. Patience, empathy and humility must characterize our gospel witness.
In a confused and hurting world, Christians have the privilege to shine the light of God’s redeeming truth. May the love and hope that flow from Christ’s truth inspire cultures with his grace and goodness. By grounding ourselves in God’s Word, we can securely build our lives and communities on the one sure foundation of eternal truth.