Two Camps
Absolutism
1. The first camp maintains that truth is absolute whereas the second camp suggests that
truth is relative. By absolute truth, the first camp means that if something is true, then it
is true for all people, in all places, and at all times.
2. The second camp means that if something is true for one person or society, then it is
not necessarily true for other individuals or societies. Absolutists believe that truth
never changes and relativists believe that truth frequently changes.
The Word's Definition of Truth
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me'" (John 14:6).
"Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this
purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.
Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice'" (John 18:37).
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever" (Isaiah 40:8).
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).
This view maintains that truth is revealed by God in these ways:
Jesus Christ
The Bible
Holy Spirit
Special Revelation
Special revelation means that God has revealed truth in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14;
14:6), by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), and through the Word of God (John 17:7; Psalm 119:60;
2 Timothy 3:16-17). We know what we know about truth, on the deepest level possible, because
of special revelation.
General Revelation
General revelation means that God has revealed truth through creation (Romans 1:20) and in the
conscience (Romans 2:14-15). We learn certain truths about God through what we see in creation
and we are aware of other truths because God has put them in the conscience of every human
being.
Characteristics of Absolute Truth
On this view, truth is knowable, absolute, never changes (Malachi 3:6), and endures forever
(Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35). Things are true regardless of our perspective.
Something can be true even if no one knows it, admits it, agrees with it, follows it, or fully
grasps it. Ultimately, God is the one who decides what is right and wrong.
Relativism
Societal Relativism
Societal relativism, also referred to as cultural relativism, is the view that truth is ultimately
established by the society in which an individual lives. What is right in one society may be
considered wrong in another and, since no universal standard of morality exists, no one can
judge another society's morality or lack thereof.
The World's Definition of Truth
"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges
17:6).
"And you shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God,
and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips'" (Jeremiah 7:28).
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built
his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that
house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell,
and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27).
Characteristics of Societal Relativism
On this view, truth is determined by what the majority of a particular society says, is unknowable
in an ultimate sense (because different societies have different views of truth), differs from one
society to the next, and changes frequently. Societies decide what is right and wrong (moral and
immoral) and what one society says is right (moral), another may say is wrong (immoral). All
societies are of equal value, which means that one society cannot look down upon another
society.
Individual Relativism
Individual relativism, the second type of relative truth, is the view that truth is ultimately
determined by the individual. What is right in one person's eyes may be considered wrong in
another person's eyes and since no universal standard of morality exists, then no one has the right
to judge another person's morality or lack thereof.
Individual relativism is characterized by statements like:
"That may be right for you, but it isn't for me."
"That's just your view; mine is different."
"That's just your opinion; I have a different opinion."
"No one can tell me how to live my life."
"I am my own authority."
"It doesn't matter what you believe because all beliefs are equally valid."
The World's Definition of Truth
"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges
17:6).
"And you shall say to them, 'this is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God,
and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips'" (Jeremiah 7:28).
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built
his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that
house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell,
and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27).
Characteristics of Individual Relativism
On this view, truth is constructed by man's ideas, opinions, and feelings. Furthermore, truth is
unknowable, different for every person, and changes frequently (as an individual's
opinions/emotions change). Individuals decide what is right and wrong (moral and immoral) and
what one person says is right (moral), another may say is wrong (immoral). One person's view of
truth is no truer or better than another person's; therefore, one person cannot look down upon
another person.
