True Truth: Defending Absolute Truth in a Relativistic World

186 Pages·2016·1.27 MB·English

by  Art Lindsley

I am incurably convinced that the object of opening the mind, as of opening the
mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.
G. K. CHESTERTON

TRUE
TRUTH
Defending Absolute Truth in a
Relativistic Age
ART LINDSLEY
To my sons, Trey and Jonathan. May you keep the belt of truth on tightly and
hold the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, in your hands.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ......................... 9
PART 1: ABSOLUTES WITHOUT ABSOLUTISM
1. What Is Truth? .......................13
2. True Tolerance ....... .... . . ... . .... . ..22
3. Right, Not Righteous .....................34
4. Assertions Without Arrogance . ... . ... . . .... ..44
5. Infallible Absolutes, Fallible People .... ..... . ...58
6. Infallible Absolutes, Fallen Situations . . ... ...... .69
7. Defense Without Defensiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
PART 2: ARGUMENT AGAINST RELATIVISM
8. When Arguments Fail . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .85
9. Absolutists in Disguise? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
10. Consequences of the Denial .. ........... ... 116
11. Relativism Self-Destructs . ..... . ... . . ... . . 127
12. Everybody's Right and Nobody's Right.... . .... .. 141
13. No Room for Evil . . .... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
14. Truth That Transforms ................... 172
Notes ... .......................... .. 175
Recommended Books ......... ............ . . 185
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am indebted to many people as I write this book. First, I want to acknowledge
Chuck Colson and the influence he has been on me not only personally but also
through his books. It was, particularly, two Breakpoint editorials that provoked
my thinking about the need to distinguish having a belief in absolutes from being
an absolutist: "A Bad Rap: Why Christians Aren't Absolutists" and "Body of
Christ: Who's an Absolutist" (Breakpoint, December 3, 1992). His emphasis put
into words things I had been wrestling with for some time.
Second, I worked with R. C. Sproul for six years at the Ligonier Valley Study
Center. Hearing him speak a few times each week during those years was a great
treat. Much of my writing and teaching is marked by his influence. Third, Os
Guinness was part of a summer program through the C. S. Lewis Institute for
about ten years. Our Knowing and Doing conference lasted anywhere from two
to five weeks. It was a pleasure hearing Os speak almost daily during those ten
summers, and undoubtedly much of his way of thinking, cultural insights and
terminology has influenced me. The notes I took then were lost long ago, but
many things he said are etched in my memory. Fourth, Francis Schaeffer, from
the time he spoke at my college chapel, pushed me to think harder and with a
greater breadth.
In addition to the men listed above, there are many people to thank,
particularly Becky Cooke, who prepared the manuscript through its many
revisions. David Hazzard thoroughly edited the entire manuscript. Jim Beavers
and Donald Drew read the manuscript carefully and gave many comments on
content and style. Mike Marshall read the whole book at an early stage, giving
his philosophical expertise and advice. Bill Nichels was one of the first readers
of the roughest of drafts. Bill Cron gave some valuable input. Dave Brown urged
me to put these thoughts into a book and helped along the way. Each one of
these people helped improve the final product.
I also want to thank the staff and board of the C. S. Lewis Institute for their
encouragement. The advisory board of my Oasis ministry provided
encouragement and financial support to allow me the time to do this writing. I
want to thank Doug and Nancy Greenwold, Jim and Becky Cooke, Todd and
Pam Ramsey, Ken and Caroline Broussard, Kim and Kathy Cooke, Kerry and
Deborah Moody, Jim and Lorraine Hiskey, and Bill and Marsha Nichels. I want
to particularly thank Wayne and Wendy Hughes for their generous gift that gave
us freedom to minister and me to write.
Furthermore, I want to thank the editorial staff of InterVarsity Press,
particularly Cindy Bunch, for making this an enjoyable process.
And I want to acknowledge my parents, Arthur and Lois, though they are no
longer living, for all they did to give me a good foundation in faith and life.
Last but not least, I want to thank Connie, my wife, who encouraged and
coaxed me to write and took our boys away for a few weeks so I could have
uninterrupted writing time. She has also been a helpful editor, improving my
writing and giving energy and life to my words. Thank you, Connie, for all you
do.
PART 1