Considering Truth

When I came to a crisis in life that caused me to question everything I had ever been taught, I began with the question, What is truth?

Many claim that truth is relative. What is true for them is their truth and what I claim to be true is my truth. But what if our truth claims are in conflict? This dilemma caused me to consider logic and reason.

Logic and reason used to be required classes for general education. Today, for the most part, only those seeking a specialized education are required to take these classes. Perhaps that explains the woeful state of knowledge in our culture. More often than hearing people say, “I think,” we hear them say, “I feel.” Threre are many reasons for this. But the underlying drive is that human beings want to be the supreme authority over our own lives. We naturally resist anyone else having authority over us. This is evident simply observing a toddler insisting on his/her own way.

Think about it: when I say “I feel XYZ,” you can’t challenge me. You may object and offer reasons why I shouldn’t feel as I claim, but you can’t deny me my feelings. However, when I say, “I think XYZ,” then you can challenge me. Feelings are subjective and personal. Thoughts are based on objective, verifiable evidence. By stating “I feel” I am positioning myself as my own authority, subjected to no one else in the matter.

But feeling my way through life was exactly what brought me to a crisis. I needed to make certain my feelings were solidly founded–that they were based on something that is reasonable. What I discovered about truth from this point, will be the subject of the next post.

Pamle Christian is an award-wining author whose current book series is Faith to Live By. The first book in the series, Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in a World of Lies more fully explores the question “What is truth?” View the book trailer.