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The Contradiction of Rejecting Absolute Truth

The statement, “The Bible is a good book, but there is no such thing as absolute truth” is inherently contradictory. If one accepts the Bible as “good,” one is making a moral judgment based on some standard of good and evil, which in itself suggests an absolute truth. The concept of ‘good’ can only exist if there’s an ultimate standard against which to measure it. Rejecting the notion of absolute truth while claiming the Bible is good is like saying, “I don’t believe in light, but the sun brightens our day.”

The Bible’s Own Claims of Truthfulness

The Bible makes uncompromising claims about its status as the repository of truth. For instance, Psalm 119:160 states, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (UASV). Jesus Christ himself claimed not only to speak the truth but to embody it, stating, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, UASV). The Bible doesn’t present itself as a menu of options from which we can pick and choose according to our individual tastes; it presents itself as the ultimate source of spiritual and moral truth.

Truth as an Extension of God’s Nature

In Christian theology, truth is not just a concept; it’s an attribute of God. In the Old Testament, Jehovah is described as a God “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6, UASV). To deny the existence of absolute truth is essentially to reject a key aspect of God’s nature. Furthermore, if truth were not absolute, God’s promises would be unreliable, and the entire foundation of Christian faith would be shaky at best.

Philosophical Implications of Denying Absolute Truth

Denying the existence of absolute truth leads to relativism, where all viewpoints are considered equally valid. However, this is philosophically untenable. If all truths are relative, then the statement “there is no absolute truth” is itself an absolute statement, which makes it self-defeating. Additionally, laws and morality become meaningless in a world without absolute truth, as they rely on universal standards to function. Imagine a society that doesn’t believe in the absolute truth of laws like “stealing is wrong.” The result would be chaos.

Moral Standards and Their Reliability

Moral standards are grounded in the absolute truths presented in the Bible. The Ten Commandments, for example, provide a universal moral code that has guided civilizations for centuries. When Jesus summarized the law, he appealed to timeless principles of love and reverence for God and love for fellow humans (Matthew 22:37-40, UASV). Such principles are not mere societal conventions, but absolute moral laws that originate from a holy God.

The Danger of Spiritual Pluralism

The idea that there’s no absolute truth is often extended to claim that all spiritual paths are equally valid. This goes against the explicit teachings of the Bible. Jesus made an exclusive claim when he stated, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The Bible clearly establishes that there’s only one path to salvation, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12, UASV).

Scientific and Historical Veracity as Testaments to Truth

The Bible also proves its reliability through its accurate depiction of historical and even scientific facts. From the list of ancient cities and kings to the detailed lineage of genealogies, the Bible stands up to scrutiny. Its record is so reliable that archaeologists have often used it as a guide to uncover lost civilizations. Even the laws of nature as described in the Bible are consistent with what we observe in the world, further attesting to its truthfulness.

The Necessity of Absolute Truth for a Coherent Faith and Life

In conclusion, the claim that “The Bible is a good book, but there is no such thing as absolute truth” is both internally inconsistent and at odds with the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible firmly establishes itself as the ultimate standard of truth, an extension of God’s own truthful nature. Denying absolute truth leads to philosophical inconsistencies, moral ambiguities, and a distorted view of God. Truth is not just a concept; it’s a reality reflected in the world around us and revealed to us through the Bible. To fully appreciate the goodness of the Bible, one must also accept its claims of absolute, unchanging truth.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).