Truth for now ∙∙

Truth for now ∙∙

The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. – Habakkuk 1:4

Isaiah 59:14-16

14 Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed.
15 Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.
16 He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him.

Should We Then Live?

In 1976, Francis Schaeffer published an influential work titled “How Should We Then Live? – The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture.” This book provides a comprehensive overview of Western civilization, tracing its development from the Roman Empire to the 1970s. Schaeffer’s analysis now prompts a sobering question for us today: Is what we’re witnessing the fall of Western civilization before our very eyes?

One of the key themes in his book is the development of philosophy and the shifting understanding of truth. At the heart of his critique lies the contrast between Absolute Truth, as defined in Scripture, and the notion of relative truth.

Hegel’s Dialectics and the Transformation of Truth

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a German philosopher who lived from 1770 to 1831, introduced a revolutionary approach to how truth is understood. He referred to this process as “dialectics.”

Hegel’s dialectics proposed that truth is not fixed but constantly evolving. He argued that truth at any given moment begins as a Thesis – a statement or belief reflecting the current understanding or worldview. In contrast to the current Thesis, an Antithesis or a new point of view is inevitably put forward. The two viewpoints, after reflection and debate, are combined and blended to form a new Synthesis, representing a revised understanding. The Synthesis becomes the “truth for now.”

This Synthesis becomes the new Thesis. However, does not mark the end of the process. Eventually, a new Antithesis is put forward, leading to yet another Synthesis. Truth, under this framework, becomes a series of temporary agreements rather than an unchanging absolute. The progression looks something like this:

Thesis ⟷ Antithesis → Synthesis
Synthesis → New Thesis
New Thesis ⟷ New Antithesis → Newer Synthesis

This process transforms truth into what could be called “truth for now,” a concept that is always subject to change.

truth for now ⟷ other truth for now → new truth for now
new truth for now → truth for now

truth for now ⟷ other truth for now → newer truth for now

Thus began the transformation of Absolute Truth to relative truth, that is, truth for now.

The Impact of Dialectics on Absolute Truth

Hegel’s perspective marked a significant departure from the historical belief in Absolute Truth. It reframed truth as something malleable, constantly redefined by societal and philosophical developments. What was once accepted as fixed and eternal became fluid, adaptable, and, ultimately, relative.

For children of the King, this shift challenges a core tenet of faith: Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth, as revealed in Scripture, cannot be reshaped or synthesized into something else. It stands apart as unchanging and eternal.

John 17:17 reminds us of this unalterable standard: “Your word is truth.”

The Firm Foundation of Absolute Truth

The Lord Jesus Christ illustrated the consequences of ignoring Absolute Truth through the parable of the wise and foolish builders. This analogy underscores the importance of building one’s life on a foundation that will endure through challenges and storms: Matthew 7:26-27: “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

The parable makes it clear that only a solid foundation, rooted in God’s unchanging truth, can withstand the onslaught of cultural shifts and pressures.

The Contrasts Between Absolute and Relative Truth

On the one hand, the Absolute Truth is eternal, grounded in the Word of God, and provides a foundation for faith and life. On the other hand, Relative truth, shaped by societal trends and philosophical shifts like Hegel’s dialectics, changes over time and lacks stability.

When truth becomes relative, it loses its grounding power, as an unmovable foundation. It resembles a house built on sand, vulnerable to collapse in adversity.

The Firm Foundation of Absolute Truth

For children of the King, the rise of relative truth serves as a wake-up call to hold fast to the Absolute Truth found in Scripture. We cannot afford to compromise or synthesize the foundational truths of the Bible with the shifting ideologies of the world. God’s Truth is not just relevant; it is the only Truth.

Matthew 7:28 describes the reaction to Jesus’ teachings: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching.”

Like the crowds who marveled at Jesus’ words, we too should remain amazed and steadfast in following the unchanging truth of the Word of God.

Final Reflections

The ideas presented by Schaeffer and the challenges introduced by philosophies like Hegel’s dialectics remind us that the cultural decline we witness today isn’t accidental. It’s rooted in the abandonment of Absolute Truth.

As followers of Christ, we have something far greater than the opinions and philosophies of humanity. We have the solid foundation of God’s eternal truth to guide us. The question is not just how we should live, but how we should stand firm in a world where truth is often seen as expendable.

REFLECT & PRAY

Ephesians 3:6 beautifully articulates God’s divine plan: “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.”

Father, thank You for the remarkable power of Your love, which can bridge divides among individuals and entire groups, reconciling them to one another and bringing them together through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

The “Great Awokening”

The year 2020 marked a seismic cultural and social awokening in America, triggered by the grotesque, inhumane, and vulgar murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. It was hideous, and people could no longer deny what their own eyes had seen and ears had heard. The brutality of his death exposed the undeniable reality of racial injustice in America, forcing the nation to confront truths that could no longer be ignored. Racism, alive and well, became the issue that no one could look away from.

The ripple effects of this awakening brought an overhaul in societal dialogues. A new “truth for now” began to emerge within progressive circles. This massive perturbation quickly became a source of upheaval and controversy.

From Progressivism to Successor Ideology

What began as a push toward “political correctness” and “identity politics” eventually transformed into something entirely different. Progressivism evolved into what some have termed “successor ideology.” Racism was challenged by anti-racism. Anti-racism sought to combat the ugliness of racism head-on. But as anti-racism gained momentum, a troubling question arose: How much anti-racism is enough? And who gets to decide?

The standards for social virtue shifted seemingly overnight. Insufficient anti-racism was labeled as “anti-blackness.” Progressivism, once rooted in liberal frameworks, has given way to a successor ideology, a new cultural force that enforces a single narrative of morality and truth. This “truth for now” demanded unwavering compliance.

Erosion of Fundamental Freedoms

America, founded on the principles of free thought, speech, and debate, finds itself at a crossroads. The “marketplace of ideas,” where opposing viewpoints once clashed and refined one another, is now supplanted by a totalitarian mindset that stifles disagreement.

The idea of “respectful disagreement” has all but vanished; those who diverge from the prevailing cultural narrative are met not with dialogue but condemnation. Dissenting voices are punished, censored, or ostracized in a climate where alignment with the current truth is paramount. All points of view no longer deserve an airing in a healthy debate in the “marketplace of ideas.”

George Orwell’s timeless insight warns us of these dangers: “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.”

We see this reality mirrored in the words of Isaiah 59:14-16 (NLT): “Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He Himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm, and His justice sustained Him.”

This prophetic passage resonates eerily with the moral and cultural struggles facing society today.

The Roots of Division

Prejudice and hatred, unfortunately, are not new problems. Humanity’s fractured relationships go back to the dawn of history, beginning with the very first family. The hostility between Cain and Abel set the stage for the generations of enmity that followed.

Sin has always been the barrier that divides people, fueling racism, prejudice, and division across cultures and history. It’s easy to look at society’s problems and feel despair. But is there hope? The Answer Lies in Christ

Yes, there is hope. The answer to the divisions that separate people lies in the unifying work of Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection offer a peace that transcends the divisions of race, ethnicity, and ideology. The apostle Paul describes this beautifully in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:14-18: “For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us in His own body on the Cross. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the Cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.”

“He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.”

These verses remind us that in Christ, hostility is replaced with unity, and division gives way to reconciliation. Through His body, Jesus created one unified people, bound not by law but by love and grace.

Moving Forward

The events of 2020 and the ongoing cultural shifts have exposed the brokenness of humanity and highlighted the need for solutions that extend beyond traditional political movements and social ideologies. Progressivism and successor ideologies may strive for justice, but they fall short by relying solely on human wisdom.

True reconciliation, freedom, and peace can only be achieved by waking up to the Lord Jesus Christ. He breaks down every barrier and sets the standard for real justice and unity. While cultural and societal narratives may change, the eternal truth of the Gospel remains steadfast.

May we, as followers of Christ, hold fast to His truth and be beacons of love and reconciliation in a divided world. And may we never lose sight of the hope we have in Him, a hope that transcends all earthly divisions.

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© Dr. H 2025