Deeper ReflectionThis week we explore the concepts of “truth” and “morality”
and consider how we as Christians should think about them.
Morality is essentially concerned with questions of right and
wrong. It has been defined as “the end result of ethical deliberation, the
substance of right and wrong”
5. Every person possesses some moral
knowledge or opinion as a part of their worldview. Truth, on the other
hand, can be defined as “what is”; it explains how things really are and is
independent of subjective opinion or belief.
6 What is
true corresponds
with objective reality. Morality and truth are related but that is not always
obvious or agreed upon. For example, in our postmodern age, many
espouse a worldview that sees morality as situational and relative – this
is understandable considering their philosophy that there is no higher,
absolute truth; it is merely relative, a subjective opinion.
7The question concerning the nature of truth finds expression in the
exchange between Jesus and Pilate. Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” (v.38)
has reverberated down the centuries. He appeared to be impatient and
not genuinely interested in the answer to the question or hearing Jesus’
response. Right after he said that to Jesus, he went back outside and told
the Jews, “I find no guilt in Him.” (v.38). Pilate then proceeded to release
a convicted robber instead of Jesus as a goodwill gesture to the Jews at
Passover, in violation of his own judgment that Jesus was innocent. Thus,
Pilate demonstrated cynicism towards the importance of truth – to him
it was a fluid concept that could be conveniently adapted as and when
needed for political expediency.
5 Scott B. Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics (4th ed.; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2018 [1995]), p.20
6 For example, the earth revolves around the sun even if you think differently because you see the sun “rising” and “setting”
7 In the postmodern worldview, truth is what each individual believes it to be; there is no objective moral truth. One often hears this: “truth is just truth to you” and “you have your truth and I have mine.” Cf. Michael W. Goheen and Craig G. Bartholomew, Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), esp. pp.109-114.
