Truth: Subjective NOT Relative

Mumford & Sons’ “I Gave You All” asks the question, “How can you say your truth is better than ours?” I confess my ignorance regarding the song’s context; nonetheless, the question seems the cry of the Post-Modern because relativism is now simply assumed. Truth does not exist in any absolute, objective sense; instead, truth is simply proportional to each of us. We define it. We live it. And, of course, others define their own truth and live it. Apart from the warm affirmations of whatever works for you, the discussion is over.  To press further is to suggest my “truth” is “better than” yours. How dare you? How dare I?
    Yet truth by its very definition is exclusive and absolute. Adjusting it to my personal history and agenda of comfort and security seems a hyper-overindulgence of my ego. Humility and sanity would suggest that truth be something to which I am ever-learning to adjust. Simply because I cannot grasp it absolutely does not negate truth’s absolute existence. It’s an impressively arrogant error to assume that because my mind is too subjective to appreciate objective truth that, therefore, objective truth must not be.  To accept relativism kills the journey. Why head toward the destination if the destination is quite simply myself?
    Still, any truth we claim to know inherently expects a knower and therein lies the subjective rub. Any truthful knowledge I claim to have is wrapped up in my subjectivity. While I need to be aware of my subjective propensities, an inherent beauty exists in recognizing that truth must be personally appropriated. And if it cannot be lived, how true is it? Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), arguably the genuine founder of existentialism, reminds us, “Lest we forget, the subject, the individual, is an existing self, and existing is a process of becoming.” Our relationship to truth determines what we are becoming. He adds, “true knowing pertains essentially to existence, to a life of decision and responsibility.” In other words, truth is lived subjectively. Hungering for more truth drives our journey, our maturation, our growth. Negating truth inflates the ego, justifies our immaturity, and stunts our growth.
    Though we may yet be haunted by the Modernist’s anxiety that subjectivity can only corrode objective truth, philosophy Professor Esther Lightcap Meek echoes Kierkegaard: “Truth is not rendered arbitrary and relative by my involvement. It is embedded and actualized in my involvement” (Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People, 2003). For some that could be seen as bad news. It’s a comfort to believe that truth exists in entirely objective notions. With that, I can simply acknowledge some facts, possess some knowledge, and be left alone to be however I want to be. And a step further, I think this leave-me-be-ism is relativism’s draw rather than some sort of objective conclusion that absolute truth does not exist.
    We’ve developed insular philosophies--truth is only objective; truth is only relative--to protect us from having to become genuinely larger than we are. We’re like Bilbo Baggins in Tolkien’s The Hobbit,  who chooses the shire over an adventure  because adventures are bothersome inconveniences. Yet by choosing the adventure, he discovers an ever-greater truth that calls him to become more genuinely himself than he ever would have been had he remained in the comfy shire.
    We stumble here into a paradox that truth, for all its objective benefits is always ultimately relational. It cannot be other. Every knower is a relational being created in the image of the Ultimate Knower. Madeleine L'Engle suggests that while we each have points of view, God has View. The faith journey is ever acclimating to that View in wonderful contrast (and relief) to one's one. Further, Kierkegaard continues, “God is a subject to be related to, not an object to be studied or meditated on.” Therefore, while yes, I need to and will continue to offer what I believe are objective evidences for the Christian faith, each of us needs to consider our level of relational openness to Christ. For to place your trust in Him is to engage in a relationship with Him. If you have already firmly decided you will not subjectively appropriate the truth of Christ, which is what faith is (not belief in the absence of reason), then no amount of objectivity on my part will matter.
    Mumford and Sons’ “I Gave You All” also includes the intriguing line, “If only I had an enemy bigger than my apathy, I could have won.” Regardless of whether you’re agreeing with me or not, I do pray that in your search for truth, you will face enemies bigger than your apathy. If you do, I'm confident you will end up closer to Truth.