My experience illustrates the acceptance of subjective truth among intellectual circles.  However, this view of truth is prevalent across the broad spectrum of American culture.  The New Age Movement is partially responsible for the popularization and mainstreaming of this idea.  Despite the fact that many intellectuals embrace the idea of relative and subjective truth, logically, it does not hold up to intense scrutiny. In addition, the Bible supports the universality and absoluteness of truth.  Therefore, the New Age concept of subjective, personal truth can be logically and theologically exposed as deceptive ideology.

            Like my college professor, adherents of New Age Philosophy do not believe that truth is absolute, objective and universal.  Rather they define truth as subjective and relativistic.  Whereas the traditional view of considers truth as propositional, New Age Philosophy reinterprets veracity as personal truth (Netland, p. 114-5).    A proposition is the message or idea asserted by a sentence.  Therefore, propositional truth is a rigid assertion that accurately describes reality.   On the other hand, personal truth is not static.  Human experiences and individual preferences influence it.  The only necessary condition for the “truth” of personal truth is that it must be sincerely appropriated within an individual’s belief system.  According to Wilfred Cantwell Smith, personal truth is the idea that, “Statements, beliefs, and even religious traditions can become true, or they might be ‘true for me’ but ‘false for you.’  (Netland, p. 119).

The New Age concept of personal truth naturally flows from their belief that people create their own realities and that individuals, as constituents of the Divine oneness that permeates the cosmos, have unlimited potential.  The traditional view of propositional truth necessitates that the Ultimate (which could be the Judeo-Christian God, a Supreme Being, or the underlying controlling principle of the universe) be distinct and apart from the Self.  Once the Ultimate is part of or equated with the Self, truth can no longer be universal.  Instead, the limited experience, knowledge, and comprehension of the individual confine truth.  Personal truth is limited, and defined by what is believed to be true by a particular person.

The argument in support of personal truth can take two forms (Netland, p. 141).  There are people who claim that there is simply no such thing as absolute truth.  This viewpoint can be easily deflated, both logically and theologically.  A second claim, the idea that there are two forms of truth: exoteric (propositional) and esoteric (personal) is grounded in a much stronger argument, although it too can be shown false through reason and appealing to the Bible.

The first viewpoint common in New Age thinking is the complete rejection of objective truth.  As Professor Groothuis poignantly rephrases it, “There are ABSOLUTELY no ABSOLUTES!”  Very quickly one can see the error in this argument.  It is self-negating, for the very statement appeals to an absolute truth: that there is no such thing as absolute truth. 

Just as easily, one can use Biblical evidence in order to support the existence of absolute truth.  In chapter 8 of the Book of John, Jesus addresses the Pharisees concerning his claim to be God.  Jesus insists that he teaches the truth—the words of God.  He states, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going.”  (John 8:14)   And a few verses later, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (Jn. 8:31-2).  Jesus appeals to the existence of an absolute truth that is not dependent upon human understanding, experience or personal beliefs.  Rather, he plainly states that the Pharisees are rejecting the truth in rejecting his claims.  Jesus never pats them on the back, telling them that their “personal truth” will get them to heaven.  Rather, he states, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”  (Jn 8:24)

Jesus spoke the truth.  However, he was more than a great teacher recounting a set of insightful propositional statements.  Jesus was truth incarnate.  John 1:14 states, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  This verse speaks of the relational truth of Jesus.  Jesus is the Absolute Truth, the Word of God made flesh. Jesus said his disciples would be set free by knowing the truth.  This works on two levels.  First, by knowing the truth regarding Jesus, but secondly by actually knowing Jesus, Truth Incarnate.  No one can be set free unless they know who Jesus is, what he has done for humanity.  However, propositional truths are only the start of freedom.  The relational truth of Jesus must also be internalized in the form of personal faith in order to be truly set free.

The second argument used to attack the universal existence of propositional truth is the claim that there are two forms of truth: exoteric and esoteric (Class Lecture, 9-28-99). Whereas exoteric truth is propositional and absolute, existing in the everyday world, esoteric truth is core, hidden truth that characterizes the religious realm.  Esoteric truth is essentially personal truth, showing itself in different forms and not confined to objectivity or absoluteness.  This view which expounds two distinct levels of truth can be shown false through logical analysis and an examination of the biblical perspective of religious truth.

If only esoteric truth exists within the religious realm, then it follows that religious truth cannot be expressed propositionally, and it would be impossible to study religion through rational and logical standards (Netland, p.147).  In addition, any attempt to convey a description of a religious experience would be completely useless, for how could logic and propositions even begin to grasp its essence that is beyond rational expression?  Even so, many New Agers contradict themselves by expressing the inexpressible religious experience.  Books, seminars, and articles use language, grammar, arguments, and personal testimony as evidence to support their belief that exoteric truth does not exist within the religious realm.  Netland profoundly establishes this point,

One who abandons the principle of (propositional truth) is reduced to utter silence, for he or she has rejected a necessary condition for the coherent and meaningful statement of any position whatsoever.”  (Netland, p.145). 

Romans 2:15 states that the Law is written upon the heart of every person.  Indeed, a New Ager’s futile attempt to disprove the existence of absolute, objective truth shows the natural inclination of humanity to employ propositional truth.  God fashioned humanity in the likeness of himself, thus we cannot find meaning outside his absolute Truth.  This does not mean the idea of personal truth is total heresy.  Jesus is Truth.  Believers have a relationship with him, and experience his fullness, forgiveness and love.  However, before it is possible to encounter the personal truth of Christ, a person must first believe certain propositional truths concerning who Jesus is, what he has done, and how to respond to him in order to attain his gift of salvation.  As Netland states,  “Not only is it possible to have both (propositional and personal truth), one cannot respond appropriately to God without first having some knowledge of him” (Netland, p. 126). 

Personal and propositional truth are inseparable and rooted in the being of God.  One cannot possess personal truth without first believing certain propositional truths.  Salvation is not attained through head knowledge only.  One must have a personal relationship with Jesus, Truth Incarnate, in order to escape eternal damnation.  The New Age denial of absolute truth is essentially a denial of an absolute, objective God.  Likewise, a New Ager’s argument that propositional truth exists only in the phenomenal world and personal truth inhabits the religious realm is a distortion of reality. Both propositional and personal truth describe God.  God is not limited to an existence outside the phenomenal world.  Jesus became man and lived on earth, and the Holy Spirit indwells believers.  The phenomenal and religious realms are inseparable (this even applies to New Age Philosophy that believes the divine essence lies within individuals). Thus, propositional and personal truth are inseparable and exist within the phenomenal world as well as the spiritual domain.

This article was written by my wife Aleah.