What is truth? This question was raised by Pilate at the trial of Jesus (John 18:38). The concept of truth is not your typical dinner-table conversation. Yet, its presence or absence in our lives is unmistakable. We deal with truth daily, wittingly and unwittingly. We prove truth, speak truth, test truth, demand truth and live truth. Truth is an indelible part of our lives. In our court systems, guilt or innocence is determined by looking at the facts or evidence and reaching the necessary conclusions or truth. In biology, chemistry or science, the truth is reached when all the pieces of evidence have been vetted. Separate and apart from certifiable and proven facts there is no truth, just doubt or opinion. What happens when truth becomes a causality? Not the truth about a certain situation but truth as a whole. To assert the death or absence of absolute truth is a preposterous exercise in futility. However, some in our world are reporting that truth does not exist. The absurdity of this doctrine is seen in its self-defeating thesis. For this doctrine to succeed it must contradict its premise. The absence of truth must be accepted as true for truth to be denied.
For mankind to live in immorality free from culpability, truth must become a casualty.
Morné W. Stephanus
This pernicious doctrine has done its fair share of harm in many areas. Consider the patently unverifiable doctrine of progressive global warming, to name but one. This theory has no science behind it nor any verifiable facts. It is the musings of politically inclined scientists and global fear merchants. Yet, because truth is no longer relevant, these individuals are lauded as heroes of the modern age. The area of interest to the believer is the attacks this doctrine has leveled against the Word of Truth. Today, many do not believe in the veracity of the Bible. With regards to understanding the Scriptures, they use phrases such as “your truth and my truth,” and “your interpretation of the truth.” This mindset has led to the dismantling of Divine Revelation and the birth of defective interpretations. Consider some of the tenets of a Doctrine that proclaims that Truth is Dead
There are no facts only interpretations. Any person with a modicum of common sense would laugh this assertion to scorn. Is it our interpretation that the sum of one plus one equals two, or is it a fact? Imagine receiving a paycheck with a considerable amount missing and upon your inquiry of it, your boss told you that’s just your interpretation of the total sum. I do not know of anyone who would accept that argument. The “no facts” doctrine is in direct opposition to the Scriptures. Peter wrote the following. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:20-21. (Emphases MS) Peter emphatically asserts that scripture is not the private musings of the prophets nor is it their view of what God said. One cannot assert the preeminence of interpretation and believe the Bible to be the all inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Furthermore, this doctrine would allow for differing interpretations of the entire Bible. Everyone could have contrasting and conflicting interpretations of the Word and still be right with God. God is certainly not in favor of this concept seeing He is not the author of confusion but peace or harmony. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33). Through His inspired penman, the Lord stated: Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, 1 Corinthians 1:10. (Emphases MS)
There are no absolute truths. Those who believe this doctrine asserts that there is no universal or uniform reality. Their view is that no one can know anything for sure. Well, if no one can know the truth, how do they know their doctrine is right? This type of reasoning is cretinous, extremely dangerous and attacks Christianity at its core. When Jesus came into the coast of Caesarea, He asked His disciples about his character and person (Matthew 16:13). Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Upon this fact, this absolute truth the Lord said He will build His Church (Matthew 16:17-18). In the absence of absolute truth, we have no certainty about the Savior being the Son of God. Subsequently, the church of Christ was founded upon a whim, an opinion or a private interpretation. We know the Sonship of Christ is the bedrock of Christianity; to cast doubt upon it is to cast doubt on the entire Gospel System of Faith. Christians would be left to live in abject speculation, doubting everything about our salvation and eternal future.
Who in their right mind comes up with such a hopeless doctrine? Who could benefit from asserting that truth does not exist? I believe the Lord gave us the answer in principle. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes, Judges 17:6. (Emphases MS) The ones who desire this doctrine want to live their lives free from the scrutiny of Truth. They want to engage in gross depravity and lewdness without the restraints of right and wrong. They desire to follow their ways instead of doing what God has required. For mankind to live in immorality free from culpability, truth must become a casualty.