What is truth?

Pilate was asking the question of Jesus Christ, who, though Pilate didn't know it, was uniquely qualified to definitively answer the matter, as He did in John 17:17, where He said, "Your [God's] word is truth!"

The whole concept of absolute truth is not fashionable in our modern societies. In a recent editorial in World Magazine, founder Joel Belz quoted statistics that "63 percent of Americans don't even think that truth is knowable," and, further, "53 percent of those who call themselves evangelical Christians are similarly skeptical."

Mr. Belz goes on to quote evangelical author Charles Colson as saying: "The question of truth – of a common and knowable reality that exists independently of our perception – is the great fault line of western culture today. The dominant point of view dismisses the idea. The fastest way to provoke scorn from most university professors is to use the words reality and truth."

As Mr. Belz points out, such skepticism isn't limited to the secular world, but permeates the professing-Christian world, as well. He agrees with Mr. Colson who calls this skepticism "the biggest enemy by far" to the Christian world view. It seems astounding that those who would profess to worship the Almighty God, Creator of the universe, would profess skepticism that real, definitive, unchanging truth exists at all.

That's the world we live in, though. Did Jesus Christ know what He was talking about when He told us that God's Word is truth? Can you know? Or, are we all lost to the necessity of figuring these things out on our own in a relativistic, changing, morphing process of "situation ethics," where what may be true one day for one person doesn't hold to be true for someone else, or on a different day or situation? What a frightening scenario!

Does it make sense that a God powerful enough to create a universe tens of billions of light years in diameter, who put such infinite detail and perfection into the design of every aspect of that universe, would not understand what is true, what is false – in short, what are the principles that make for a fulfilling and successful life?

The truth is – pardon the word play – you can know what is true, and what is false. And, God doesn't expect you to take it all on faith alone; though there is no doubt there is a critical role for faith in the process. You can prove – based on what the Bible calls the fruits – what is true and what is false.

God didn't leave His creation adrift and rudderless, with no instructions on how life is to be lived to produce happiness, peace and true abundant living. You can know what truth is – absolute truth, established by the Creator and Ruler of the universe for His creation's benefit.

To start you on your journey of discovery of truth, request and study our booklets The Real God: Proofs and Promises, and The Bible – Fact or Fiction? They are available free, and without obligation.