Who would have thought that a belief in absolute truth would be under attack in our day and age? Today, young people are embracing a “feel-good” truth to satisfy their appetites, and, paradoxically, pastors and churches are shifting toward a one-size-fits-all mentality of truth.

But we’ve seen this dismissal of truth before. Centuries ago, standing right in front of Pontius Pilate was the embodiment of truth, Jesus Christ. Jesus confronted Pilate by saying, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37). But despite the overwhelming proof of Christ’s innocence, and his indisputable claim to be God, Pilate responded flippantly, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).

Rather than discover the truth, Pilate rejected it to appease the Jews and maintain his status with the emperor. But what Pilate (and most Americans) failed to realize is that truth is of the utmost importance, for without it, we know nothing.

So what is truth?

Simply put, truth is telling it like it is. That is, truth corresponds with the way things really are. This acrostic will help you remember what is T.R.U.E. about truth:

Transcendent: Truth comes from God, and he has revealed it to his creation. Take gravity, for example. Newton didn’t determine gravity; he merely discovered its existence. In the same way, humans know truth because God reveals it in his creation and in his Word, the Bible.

Real: Truth matches (corresponds to) the facts in the real world. Two opposing things can’t be true at the same time and in the same sense. That would be a contradiction.

Universal: Truth applies to all people, at all times, and in all locations. For example, 1 + 1 = 2 is a universal truth that is not challenged or denied.

Exclusive: Truth is absolute. Though opinions about truth change, truth, on the other hand, remains the truth and therefore cannot change. Beliefs change but not truth.

Application

Be careful not to buy into the self-defeating belief that truth is relative, for even the assertion that there is no absolute truth claims to be absolutely true. There are many people today who push their thinking on Christians to be more tolerant and accept the belief that truth is not absolute or exclusive. King David wrote, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation” (Ps. 25:5 ESV). God is truth, and your life is in far better hands than if you trust the lies spouted out in the world.

Excerpt from: The Bible’s Answers to 100 of Life’s Biggest Questions (Norman Geisler and Jason Jimenez)