by Timothy Buchanan

Created on: August 07, 2007   Last Updated: August 08, 2007

Wise men and women throughout the ages have dedicated lifetimes to answering the seemingly elusive question, "What is truth?" Pontius Pilate asked it of Jesus (John 18:38), suggesting that truth cannot be accurately defined. Sophisticated people of our time join with him. What a powerful word "truth" is, and how oddly controversial. Music to the ears of some, it invokes open hostility in others, heralding something greater than common human opinion.

There are three main schools of thought about truth: one denies that it exists at all, another views truth subjectively, and the third embraces truth objectively without personal prejudice.

A nihilist says, "There is no truth." His life is devoid of purpose, direction, and structure. He crashes recklessly through every social boundary without regard for others. He is the most miserable sort.

The relativist is a far more crafty creature. He doesn't come straight out and and say that truth does not exist. Rather, he reserves unto himself the right to define or interpret it as he chooses. This practice was not unknown to King Solomon, who wrote, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 21:2). Relativists often will use the nebulous expressions, "my truth" and "my reality" to accomplish their objective, thereby crediting their own opinions with more weight than they deserve. To them, values and standards are infinitely variable.

Reasoning with a relativist is impossible because his perspective is always his own self-interest and nothing more. To such a person, anything can be argues and nothing can be proven. Thanks in part to high-profile leaders and celebrities, relativism has seeped deeply into the fabric of American society.

A thinking person quickly realizes that truth must exist. For if it does not, there is no higher standard to which one can appeal than the volatile opinions of capricious men and women.

What is truth? Ask this question of a hundred people, and you will likely get a different answer from each one. But such universal ideals are usually best defined by their characteristics. Truth is reliable, accurate, and constant. Truth exists in three realms: literal (or legal), moral, and spiritual.

Why is truth important? Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Truth is the foundation of the state." To test this statement, just imagine what the absence of truth would mean in our society. If there is no truth, there can be no justice-our laws are arbitrary, and our court system is a sham. If there is no truth,

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