Does Absolute Truth Exist?

What is the point of believing in an absolute truth if there is no way of knowing it?

I recently got into a debate on Facebook over sexual identity that led to a short discussion (short because the facilitator decided she did not want to discuss it) on absolute truth. I want to repeat here what I told her, and what I hope she read rather than brushing it off in disgust and arrogance. (Please note, this post's focus is on absolute truth, not on whether or not LGBT lifestyle is right or wrong or part of a gene or not.)

Basically, she said, "It is true nobody chooses their sexuality, and as a teacher, I have observed this, I know that I have, that kids are who they are. Period."

In response I wrote, "Truth is not always something that can be observed or concluded based on feelings - based on what we want for ourselves. If an absolute truth exists, and as a Christian I believe that it does exist, then that absolute truth is true regardless of what we desire, feel, want, or observe."

Her response: "If any of us decides what is absolute truth, then we are in essence making ourselves God."

Now we get to the meat of this post. What follows is my final response to what she wrote about absolute truth I've changed some of it (and the quotes above, as well) to protect her identity.

If you believe an absolute truth exists, and if you believe in the Bible and call yourself Christian, then you must be willing to stand up for the absolute truth presented in the Bible. I do recognize that there are plenty of people out there with arguments that say the Bible is OK with homosexuality, transgender, etc. Regardless, the Bible still exists as God's Word and our basis for moral absolutes.

I am not deciding for myself what is absolute truth, and I am not making myself God. As a Christian, I am restating God's absolute truths, which I believe in. By definition, a Christian is someone who believes that Jesus died for their sins to save them, that He is the only way to salvation, and that His absolute truth, which is presented in the Bible, is the absolute truth.

To say that we cannot take a stance on what is absolute truth without making ourselves to be God is basically to say that there is no way of knowing absolute truth, that absolute truth may not exist. And if we cannot know what absolute truth is, shouldn't we live our lives according to our own subjective morals (which, consequently, does lead to making up our own absolute truths and living by them).

So what is absolute truth? Can it exist? And can we believe in it and take a stance on what it is without making ourselves gods? As I stated above, I believe absolute truth does exist. I base my moral convictions on the absolute truth that the Bible presents. And I really don't see how one can believe in an absolute truth without taking a position on how that truth should apply to our own lives. I don't see how one can believe an absolute truth exists, but throw it aside in favor of what seems right to the individual just because that absolute truth does not make complete sense - just because that truth is not 100% evident to us or does not agree with the way we want things to be.

Sexual Identity Crisis: Is it a Choice?

I get tired of people claiming our sexual identity is not a choice. Their claim is both true and false at the same time depending on the context and meaning. Here's what I mean:

1) They're right! Sexual identity is not a choice. You are born either male or female. Your personality may not line up with what society defines as masculine or feminine, and that's OK. You can live with that personality openly without it being defined as sin. But when it comes to changing your physical body parts so that you can match what society says is masculine or feminine, that's where I have a problem, and that's where things begin to collide with the absolute moral laws established in the Bible.

2) They're wrong! I can tell you without a doubt that ultimately everything is a choice. I know this because I made a choice. At one point in my life, I could have easily defined myself as a lesbian or bi hiding in the closet. I had those attractions and tendencies. But thankfully, there came a point in my life when God woke me up. I always knew my actions and thoughts were wrong — not just because someone or something told me so, but mainly because my heart knew it to be true. The point is, I chose to reject that lifestyle, despite the fact that so many would like to say that it is in my genes.

So is homosexuality or any other non-hetero sexual lifestyle a choice? Yes! No matter what you may think, you always have a choice. Even if your "sexual identity" (speaking about homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender, etc) is in your genes, you still have a choice to either embrace what you call your built-in sexual identity or to reject it and live for God rather than living for what you desire and feel.

Called and Chosen

I don't pretend to understand how God's sovereignty and omniscience work with man's free will, but I do know that both are completely true pieces to the puzzle.

Forget about Calvinism versus Arminianism for a moment, and think about the fact that God chose you. He called you. Do you feel that tug in your heart when you sin? That's the Holy Spirit warring against your flesh.

If you have accepted Christ and believe in Him, you are saved. You continue to sin, we all continue to sin, but you are saved. Who are we to question God's election?

Take a moment to ponder the mind-blowing fact that God chose you. He knew you before you were born. He chose to call you to Him.

Thank you God, for choosing me. I know I cannot live a perfect life without sin, but I also know that Christ is my advocate in Heaven, that You have called me, and that I am saved. Thank you Lord.

Headaches and Addictions: The Real Cure

Addictions are like headaches. Sometimes they start our small and grow bigger until you can't handle the pain any longer. Other times, they sneak up on you and blast your head with nonstop pounding.

You could take some medicine to lessen the pain. But there are many different headache relief options out there. You could choose the wrong one. And then there are those of us who ignore the ibuprofen, as we think we can duke it out on our own.

But we can't. We can't get rid of temptation and sin through our efforts alone. We need the right medicine. We need God. It's only through him that we can triumph over evil.

Introduction: Admitting the Truth and Living with Purpose

This Blog: My Anything

Have you ever gotten really excited about something, only to have the idea wear off and to have fear or laziness kick in? That's why all of my previous blogs did not last. I still have those roller coaster emotions about this blog. It could be Satan trying to deter me. It could be my own fears and lack of self confidence. But as I've moved through and past my own issues on to other issues, I can't help but think God must have a plan for me — a plan to use my faults for good.

I recently finished reading the book "Anything" by Jennie Allen. In short, Allen writes about her own journey that led her to offer everything to God. I can't help but wonder what my anything is. What do I have to give? I know the step Allen encourages will take courage and faith. I don't know if this blog is my anything. But something has pushed me to start it, despite my reservations.

I am addicted to pornography. Why is that so hard to say?

If you haven't guessed already, I deal with an addiction to pornography that started when I, a female from a Christian home, was very young. Only with the past few months have I finally come to grips with my addiction. I reached the very bottom of the pit, and God pulled me out at a crucial moment. I'll share more on that in another post.

I do still struggle with sexual temptation. I feel darkness around me at night, and I am sure that demons from my past have followed me. I have explicit dreams that I have no control over. But I fight. And as I fight, other issues still weigh me down, literally. I am an overweight woman, obese and unhappy with my body image. I want my body to be a temple for the Lord, but struggle with a food addiction. You'll probably find some of my blog posts have as much to do with gluttony as any other sin.

Blessed Assurance: Hope in the Middle of Sin

But one thing remains key in all of this. As I grew up struggling with my sexual desires, I always knew my actions were wrong. I believed in Jesus Christ as my savior. I went to church. But I often woke up in the middle of the night wondering if my parents had been raptured. I was confident in my faith, but not  in my salvation.

My journey has led me to a solid understanding of salvation in Christ. I am blessed and assured. If I had died in the middle of my sins, I would have gone to heaven. That's not to say I would not be held accountable for my actions, but I would go to heaven because I was saved in Christ, and you cannot lose true salvation.

That is the main point of this blog and any future book I might hope to write. If you believe in Christ, repent of your sins, and strive to follow God, to give your "anything" to God, you are saved, even if you do fall every once in a while. In fact, we all sin. We sin everyday. But Christ came to save us. Because of Him, we have "Blessed Assurance."