Man cannot make a moral framework on which to judge. For man is in himself immoral.
What is Truth? How Can We Determine Morality?
This really addresses the issue from the Garden of Eden when Satan tells Eve that she will surely not die, but she will be like God. It puts us in the question of God’s truth versus Satan’s truth. Which truth did Adam and Eve choose? Satan’s truth. So now we beg the question: Was God telling the truth that they would die? Yes! Death was introduced when Adam and Eve took Satan’s lie as truth.
We can see an example of postmodern thinking in President Bill Clinton’s statement, “That depends on what your definition of “is” is.”
This also brings up the question that Pontius Pilate asked upon Jesus’ trial. Jesus said that he “came to TESTIFY to the truth.” And Pilate replied, “What is truth?” Without really wanting a response, but just making a statement. So what is truth? Jesus said he came to bear witness to the truth. In the following articles I will try to get to that conclusion: ‘How do we determine morality?’
The following is an excerpt from a dialogue with my friend Anne Hodgkinson,
“Have you heard of the Euthyphro question posed by Socrates? Whether the good is good because it is good (a separate entity) or because God said it was good? I came to the conclusion that it was the latter (because God said it was good). If God’s desire for His created things not to be destroyed is part of his personality, then the continuation of His created order is good…God’s personality is good (not that God is a personless “force” of good…but that His personality defines what is good). I do not believe any of us truly want destruction (what Satan desires), though we may think we do…some of us just want certain goods without minding if those “good’s” require destruction to obtain (C.S. Lewis wrote on this a bit in the beginning of Mere Christianity). As we were made in God’s image, we desire not to be destroyed, but to continue existing. And who could know better how His creation should continue to function than God? God does not need to answer to an outside authority of “good” because He is the Creator of everything…”
How do you communicate truth to a world that isn’t sure what truth is—or even if truth is? How do you commend spiritual absolutes to people who insist there are none?
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus Christ
Romans 2:15
They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness,
Hebrews 10:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,
2 Corinthians 5:10
And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is our conscience?
A: Our conscience is a spiritual ability built into every human being by which we make ethical judgements based on inner moral principles.
Q: How does our conscience work?
A: When we believe certain information (place faith in knowledge), we establish inner laws. These laws may be right or wrong, depending on whether our knowledge is of the truth. As we encounter complex life situations, we apply our inner laws, as a judge deciding a case presented by a prosecutor and a defense attorney. By this, our conscience creates a solution (unique for every situation), which it considers morally right. When we act inconsistent with that judgement, we experience feelings of guilt.
Objective Morality vs. Moral Relativism
The thing is, everyone thinks their view is right. And some people argue that Christians are intolerant and forcing their views on others. But then aren’t they themselves forcing their view that Christians? Something good could offend someone’s belief. A good thing could become bad or vice versa. Good then becomes a moral judgement just like Bad is.
If there is one moral rule that applies to us that is not physical. There is one non-physical reality that science cannot know. That’s the liberating idea. What gives force to this world’s law of nature? The best explanation for moral rules isn’t a happening by chance. It is by someone: A moral ruler. A moral law giver.
Maybe you’re objecting Jesus because there is all this evil in the world. I don’t know, maybe you help me understand what you mean. Tell me what you think right and wrong is. How do you personally determine right from wrong? What is justice for you?
Leave a comment