Is There Such a Thing as Absolute Truth?
In a world filled with diverse opinions, shifting cultural values, and constant debate, many ask: Is there such a thing as absolute truth? Some argue that truth is subjective, shaped by individuals or societies. Yet the Bible and sound reasoning affirm that absolute truth does exist, and it is grounded not in human perception but in the very nature of God.
1. Absolute Truth Rooted in God’s Nature
The Bible reveals God as eternal, unchanging, and perfect (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). Because God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, His character provides the foundation for truth itself. Truth is not an invention of culture or consensus, but a reflection of who God is. As Isaiah 45:19 records God saying: “I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.”
This means that absolute truth exists because God exists. His truth is objective, universal, and not subject to revision. Human beings may change their understanding of the world, but God’s truth remains unshaken.
2. Truth Is Discovered, Not Created
One of the biggest misconceptions of modern thinking is that truth is something we can make for ourselves. But truth, by definition, is something that corresponds to reality. It is not created by our thoughts or feelings, but discovered through the order God has built into the world and revealed in His Word.
As Jesus prayed in John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Truth is not whatever we want it to be—it is what God declares and what aligns with His eternal reality.
3. Absolute Truth Is Necessary for Meaning
Absolute truth is not only biblical; it is logical. Without absolute truth, reasoning itself collapses. To deny truth is to make a truth-claim, which already assumes that truth exists. Even questioning truth requires standing on the foundation of truth.
This principle shows that absolute truth is so fundamental that it must exist for any meaningful conversation, reasoning, or planning to take place. It is a prerequisite for knowledge and morality.
4. Truth Is Unchanging, Even If Our Understanding Grows
Absolute truth remains constant regardless of whether we understand it fully. Discoveries in science or theology may deepen our grasp of truth, but they do not alter the truth itself. For example, gravity was real before humans understood it; learning more about it did not make it more true. Likewise, God’s truth does not shift with cultural opinions or historical trends.
This means that acknowledging absolute truth does not require perfect comprehension. As finite creatures, we spend a lifetime learning and yet never exhaust the depths of God’s truth.
5. The Human Need for the Eternal
In a changing world, the human heart longs for something unchanging and permanent. The existence of absolute truth meets this deep need. It provides stability, direction, and meaning in a world of flux. Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Without a foundation in absolute truth, life becomes unstable. With it, we can live with confidence, knowing there is something eternal to anchor our lives.
6. Jesus as the Truth Reveals God Fully
When Jesus declares Himself to be “the truth” (John 14:6), He is not merely claiming to speak true things—He is identifying Himself as the full revelation of God. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” In other words, to know the truth about God is to know Jesus. He embodies truth because He is the exact image of the Father (Hebrews 1:3).
Unlike partial truths or fragmented glimpses found elsewhere, Jesus is the complete unveiling of God’s character and purposes. The devil twists reality with deception, but in Christ, God’s truth is displayed without distortion. By looking to Jesus, we not only find reliable words but the living truth about who God is, what He requires, and how He saves.
Conclusion
So, is there such a thing as absolute truth? Yes. Absolute truth exists, and it is rooted in God’s unchanging character. It is objective, universal, and unchanging, discovered rather than created, and necessary for reasoning and meaning. Though our understanding of truth may grow and deepen, God’s truth remains firm. In Christ, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), we find the ultimate expression of this reality.
Bible Verses on Absolute Truth
John 14:6 — “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
John 17:17 — “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Isaiah 45:19 — “I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.”
Malachi 3:6 — “For I the Lord do not change.”
James 1:17 — “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Proverbs 30:5 — “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 119:160 — “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
2 Timothy 2:13 — “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”
Numbers 23:19 — “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.”
Hebrews 13:8 — “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
