Absolute Truth
Neal Pirilo, President, Emmaus Road, International

We used to hear said, "It's the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God!" Today we hear, "Truth is relative. That's beautiful. That's your reality!" In the caldron of modern thinking where does the Christian find His anchor of Truth? Certainly in a personal relationship with the One who said, "I am Truth." But even within the circle of believers who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ there is a divergence of understanding of what is truth - even as Pilate asked. To help me put in perspective my own belief system, I have found it of tremendous value to categorize my understandings of truth. They are all truth to me, but as you will see, different levels of belief.

Absolute Truth

In my search of the Scriptures, I have found certain truths that are unshakeable, absolute essentials - the Rock-solid foundations of my faith. These have been tested over time by theologians in diverse nations. And by the witness of His Spirit in my soul as I study His Word.

A good example of a belief I would put in this category is the assurance of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Oh yes, some may say that that word could be translated "young woman," but a simple study of the culture of that day would assure us that all young women were virgins! Certainly then also would be the vicarious death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of lost mankind. And a few others.

Reasoned Truth

I have found it very strengthening to place most of my understanding of truth in this category. For, as I search the Scriptures for truth on many issues, I find that I see through the 'glass darkly.' There are passages that suggest one perspective, there are an equal number of Scriptures that posit another. I listen to scholars who assure me of one position or the other, both equally convinced that they have the truth in their grasp. Yet, as I look at their individual foundations, they seem to have overlooked the Rock on which the other has built his house.

Thus, I put much of my belief in this more tentative category. I have reasoned as thoroughly as I can with the intellect God has given me and by the conviction of His Spirit as I as Hem to "lead me into all truth."

A good example here relates to the return of Christ. Many a scholar - from the first century to the present - has assured us of his perspective on when and how Christ will return to earth. I don't even like to try to my "belief" down on paper because I hold it so tentatively! But if I were pushed to state a position, I would say I believe in a "pre-tribulation rapture" of the Church. But as soon as I wrote that, my flood was flooded with a host of Scriptures that could suggest that it will happen another way! Thus, this truth is held in a reasoned category.

Cultural Truth

There are many things I believe simply because of the culture in which I was raised. And because culture is in a constant state of flux, beliefs in this category can also change.

I was raised in believe in the American system of free enterprise, with production the golden apple of success. Having lived and related with people of various cultures, I have come to appreciate the belief that people are more important than production. Thus, a drastic change in a cultural belief.

However, another belief I grew up with was, "It is a sin to drink alcohol!" Regularly I was taught that for every six people who their first drink, one became a hopeless alcoholic. Needless to say, this struck a strong chord of belief in not drinking alcohol. Yet enough now in studying the Scriptures I find no absolute prohibition to drinking alcohol. I refrain. Unless I am in a cultural situation where not drinking would be a tremendous offence. I have been in a few!

The Death Test

Now, the real value of putting my belief system into these three categories is found by them to the "death test." If someone came up to me and said, "Neal, either drink this alcohol or I am going to kill you," I would argue a bit. But if I saw he was serious, I would say, "Bottoms up!" I will not die for my cultural beliefs!

Now let's suppose that that same person of another came to me and said, "Neal, I understand you believe in a pre-trib rapture. Either admit that it could happen another way or I will kill you." Again, I would argue his intentions of being so dramatic but I would simply say, "Hey, I'm a 'pre-triber.' I just hope that God is!"

However, if I were confronted by one so determined to challenge my absolute truth category, "Neal, I understand you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Either deny that or I am going to kill you. I would argue with him about his need to do this, but if 'push came to shove' I would have to say, "Pull the trigger!" for if He was not born of a virgin, my whole belief system is of no value. And with Paul I would have to admit, "If He be not risen from the dead, we of all men are most miserable!" 1 Corinthians 15.

Absolute truth: Let us live for that for that which we are willing to die.

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