On a very regular basis I hear my students say, “Your truth is different than my truth.” It is a reflection of modern philosophy which denies that there is an absolute truth.
Those of us who believe there is an absolute truth would have to concede there is an element of truth in what they say. Because each of us has a unique mind and egocentric thought patterns each of us sees everything in a very unique way. Therefore, what I think is truth and what you think is truth is very real to each of us but very different from each other’s view. As true as that is, it does not mean there is not an absolute truth. What it means is each of us is seeing the truth but we see it with self-made distortions. The absolute truth does exist, but none of us see it clearly. We each see it through our biases and preconceived ideas. This is what Paul meant when he said in I Corinthians 13, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; . .”
The smudges on your glasses are different than the smudges on my glasses. That does not mean what I think is truth and what you think is truth and thus there are two different truths. There is one absolute truth and then there are our distorted versions. Because we have distorted versions does not negate the reality of an absolute truth.
It is reassuring that Paul tells us someday we will see clearly. Someday we will understand God’s love and His purpose for each of us, which is as unique as we are unique.
Written by Roger Bothwell on October 17, 2014
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