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By Dean Kelly

“There are no absolutes,” one of my graduate school professors firmly declared. I raised my hand and asked, “Are you absolutely sure?” 

He grinned, and said, “You’ve got me haven’t you?” I replied, “Yes I do, because you have made an inherently self-contradictory statement, you have made an absolute statement that there are no absolutes; your statement is false because of that!”

Jesus said, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:31-32). He believed in absolute, discernible truth. Further, in His prayer to the Father, He said, “Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth” (John 17:17). 

If there is an absolute truth, then we have to find the source of that truth. Jesus says that truth is presented by the Word of God. We can come to a knowledge of truth through His word.

The word “know” is used over and over in the New Testament, especially in John’s inspired writings. It is important to note that faith is not juxtaposed against knowing, but rather faith is contrasted with sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is an avenue to knowledge and must be based on reliable evidence. 

I have often illustrated faith and sight in this way: do you know that the Taj Mahal exists? Most will say yes. But most know it based on reliable evidence: pictures, testimony of those who have seen it, etc. That is how my wife knows the Taj Mahal exists because she believes (has faith) due to reliable evidence. 

I had the privilege of taking several mission trips to India. On a few occasions I got the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal. I know the Taj Mahal exists because I have seen it with my own eyes (sight). Both of us, however, know it exists.

Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). The ultimate expression of that truth is found at the foot of the cross. We can know the truth!

 

Dean Kelly is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.