SUBJECTIVE SEAS-OBJECTIVE
SUBJECTIVE SEARS/OBJECTIVE SHORE
Finding Truth in a World of Relativity
Human understanding is a fickle thing. It is like a subjective sea tossed by the winds of personal experience, cultural bias, and limited perspective. Yet, anchored in the vast ocean of human thought lies the unwavering rock of objective truth, a shore promised by God and perfectly revealed in His Word, though imperfectly understood, especially in today’s society. This inherent tension between our subjective understanding and God’s objective truth forms the bedrock of the Christian faith, which stands in firm opposition to the fallacies of agnosticism and ideas of subjective truth. The very issue of tension between subjective understanding and objective reality prompts a deeper exploration of God’s objective Truth.
Consider the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. Jesus tells how, a master entrusts varying talents to his servants, each serving according to their understanding, capacities, fears, and aspirations. One servant profits greatly, another moderately, while a third hides his talent altogether. Importantly, it is not their subjective interpretations that ultimately determine their outcomes; instead, it is their responses to the objective reality of the master's instructions and the inherent value of the talents entrusted to them that dictate their rewards. Regardless of their thoughts or desires, one truth remains: the master expects a return on his investment!
Proverbs 3:5-6 makes plain this tension: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Our understanding, as valuable as it may be, is incomplete. It's why Proverbs 14:12 stresses, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” These powerful statements emphasize the difference between our often-flawed understanding (that leads to skewed views of God’s Word) and God’s unchanging truth.
John 17:17 illustrates Christ’s prayer, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” This verse is more than an affirmation of the Bible’s infallibility; it declares that God’s Word is True. This stands in stark contrast to our frequent errors and fallible interpretations. Understanding the depth of objective truth requires continual humility, prayer, and diligent study. As 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Our subjective understanding must always strive to grasp God's objective truth. This pursuit is a journey, an adventure, a treasure hunt for spiritual wealth (Matthew 6:19-21). As we navigate the subjective seas—often shrouded in fog and misconception—we encounter twists and turns that reflect our unique experiences. However, the objective shore of truth remains unchanged. While our individual experiences shape our understanding, they should not dictate our ultimate goal of accepting the Truth revealed in God's Word.
Our aim should not be to perfectly capture His infinite objective Truth within our finite minds. Instead, we should seek to let our subjective understanding guide us closer to Him, enriching our knowledge of Him and His Word. This ongoing pursuit is a testament to the journey of faith inherent in a Christian's life. May we always venture forth, navigating the limited seas of our understanding in search of the boundless reality of divine truth (John 5:39; 10:10; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Casey Clement
>PS. This week, focus on empathy and understanding. Each day, choose one interaction with a person you find challenging to understand. Remember that your understanding is subjective and shaped by your unique viewpoint and experiences. Thank God for His objective truth and consider how you can share His love and compassion with them this week through a kind gesture, a word of encouragement, a prayer, or by being the one person who just listens. Journal your reflections daily. Remember the goal isn't perfect understanding but increasing the level of empathy shown and a greater demonstration of God's love.