Proverbs 23.23
“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
The book of Proverbs is all about the disciplined pursuit of truth, knowledge, and wisdom. If you have been reading A Call to Excellence for any period of time, you know that I frequently emphasize that in the Christian life, wisdom and skill are not given, they are built and developed. It is a matter of faith and work.
That is why at the end of the devotional you often read: Trust God and do the work.
Our nation needs to return to a foundation of timeless Truth. We desperately need a foundation of Truth that is grounded in respect for the Creator and the standards he has inscribed on the universe and on human hearts. In our radically pluralistic and relativistic society, it seems a nearly impossible task to redirect the culture back to the core principles of the Judeo-Christian tradition, but that is precisely what must happen. Without such a rediscovery of and recommitment to Truth, there is little hope for a revival or restoration of any significance.
At the heart of the issue is whether or not objective truth exists. Objective truth means reality that exists independent of someone’s belief, opinion, feeling, or perception. When something is objectively true (like the existence of gravity), it’s true for everyone regardless of whether people acknowledge it or not. Objectivity understands that the real world exists, even though we may experience it differently or see different aspects of it or even have different beliefs about it. Those who believe in objective truth recognize that we have a common base from which to discuss what is true and what isn’t, because we all live in a real world where truth can be observed, discovered, evaluated, and known.
Philosophical relativism denies there is an objective reality. The most powerful expression of relativism today is postmodernism, or what is simply being called the “post-truth society.” The claim is that a group’s or individual’s reality is their perception or interpretation of the external world, and is not the objective world itself. Relativists claim we do not discover truth; rather, we “create truth” in the way we interpret and talk about the world as we experience it.
Needless to say, according to post-truth worldview, there is no such thing as an objectively existing God, and thus no moral absolutes; no objective ethical or moral standards by which people or societies should live. In fact, because relativism rejects Truth, it has no objective reference point for anything.
Instead, the reference point becomes subjective feelings and perceptions. The consequences of this philosophy are catastrophic. Untethered from Truth, radical relativism asserts that mankind is alone in a godless, meaningless universe and must create his own truth and meaning. It opens wide the door for self-indulgence and reckless living. It creates an “anything goes” attitude and lifestyle.
The Christian community must stand strong for Truth. Not just truth in the spiritual and theological realm, but truth in all domains. As the Proverb above says, “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
Trust God and do the work.
More next week …
