Is truth an absolute? Or is it merely what we make of it? Or is there an absolute truth that we can’t comprehend? Or is the absolute truth just what we simplistically see it as? That sinners will suffer while perfection is exalted. That Christ is the one who makes us perfect and takes our sins upon Him. But if it really is that simple, then why is there a requirement of action on our part if Christ already took our sins upon us? What if truth really is not a one-dimensional law of nature, but is instead a multi-faceted law that contains more than we can imagine? Unfortunately we do not know if Christ answered Pilate, but we do have his answer that was given before the question to help us answer the question of what is truth.
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice
Do we not all hear the Lords voice? Do we not feel his spirit and hear the still small voice? In hearing this are not people of the truth? So as long as we are able to hear the voice of the Lord we are pursuing and doing that which is true? What is truth to you? Is it an absolute or is it subjective?
Plato told us the allegory of the cave. In which you can understand truth and reality as it is, not how we grew up to believe it trapped in a cave. Perhaps this is how we understand truth. We have left the cave and seeing the sun believe it to be the absolute truth. But even the sun is a distortion of the true absolute truth. and perhaps we are not able to realize and achieve that in this life, but I belief that it exists.
I will leave you with this quote “The true master is not the one who teaches an ideal path but rather he who shows his pupil the many ways that lead to the road that must be traveled to reach the destination. As of the moment that you find this road, the master can no longer help you, because your challenges are unique.” -Tahlan (impassive comprehension)
Truth exists as an ideal, and I think at some point, some place in the universe, all real and ultimate truth can be known. But not in this life, never completely. That's why Paul said we see through a glass, darkly. We can never know complete truth in this life. So for us, here, truth is a paradox, an ultimate which is always incomplete. For the time being, it is exactly as you said, "a multi-faceted law that contains more than we can imagine."
ReplyDeleteI think that's why we are commanded to be humble and meek and teachable, because only someone who really knows ultimate truth can say they have no need to be open to new learning and possibly changing their opinions and attitudes, perhaps radically so. Look at Paul. Look at Alma the Younger.
Why is there a requirement of effort on our part if the Savior already took our sins on Himself? I think there are two reasons. One, there's no way we could atone for our sins on our own. Two, God doesn't have anyone standing over him making him choose the right, he does that because he chooses to. If we're supposed to learn to be like him, then we have to practice doing the same thing, and that's one of the main purposes of this life. So the Savior pays for our sins, and our efforts to follow him and choose right and truth make up the other part of the "contract," if you will.