The Problem With Absolute Truth Claims

What is truth? Pontius Pilate and Aristotle asked this question and we are still asking it today.

At my university we are taught to question all Absolute Truth claims. History students especially are encouraged to search for the bias behind all statements. Everything is subjective. In the same classroom, I learn about how political and social structures have used their Absolute Truth claims in order to seek power; King James I claimed he was divinely ordained by God to rule over England and Scotland, Hitler declared that the Aryan race was the master race and deserved Lebensraum. Timothy Keller asks the question, “Is belief in absolute truth the enemy of freedom?” My history professors would probably answer “yes”.

 The problem most have with truth claims is not usually whether or not these claims are in fact “true”. The Problem is the manner for which those who believe themselves to be enlightened with the “truth” choose to broadcast it. *No I do not believe that all claims to absolute truth are in fact true (especially in the cases where it has brought oppression to others), however I do believe that truth is out there* Absolute truth claims often do lead to fanaticism. Timothy Keller explains fanaticism as: believing that you are superior to others because you have the “truth” and are morally and/or intellectually surpassing others. Keller states that what you need is not to rid yourself of absolute truth claims, but to find an absolute truth that humbles you.

The Christian faith for example, is not free from claiming absolute truth and manipulating its truth in order to seek power. However, Keller suggests: “Belief that you are accepted by God by sheer Grace is profoundly humbling. The people who are fanatics then, are so not because they are too committed to the Gospel [or their truth claims] but because they’re not committed to it enough… They are fanatically zealous and courageous, but they are not fanatically humble, sensitive, loving, empathetic, forgiving, or understanding-as Christ was.” Keller suggests that, “the antidote is not to tone down and moderate their faith, but rather to grasp a fuller and truer faith in Christ”.

Ultimately, manipulation and oppression are definitely things to be cautious of and if we’ve learned anything from history it should be that. Many absolute truth claims are power grabs, but this is also how you know that they are not true. Jesus Christ said “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:31-32). The problem with an absolute truth is not that it cannot exist because we have seen many examples of truth claims gone wrong, the problem with it is that we have given up and have major trust issues. Winston Churchill wisely asserted, “The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance my deride it, but in the end; there it is” Truth may be twisted by some and smoke may blur our vision from past experiences, but the truth is still out there waiting to be found.

Mahatma Gandhi got it right when he said, “Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected”

-Rachel S.

P.S.  “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them” –Galileo