True Truth: Defending Absolute Truth in a Relativistic World

'The defense of the gospel is most effective when combined with the demeanor of Christ.' p 172 Art Lindsley co-authored the evidentialist Classical Apologetics. The goal is to inform the reader of biblical absolutes, as opposed to modern worldviews, primarily relativism, which Lindsley identifies as 'secular relativists, using argument and accusation, assault those who express certainty about the truth.' p 17 Included in the pericope is shamanism, gurus, spiritual healers, transcendental mantras, altered consciousness experiences - all significant to rampant global New Age techniques. Yet Lindsley does not venture afar off from Christianity and Christians, and challenges us to remain firm as we stand on the Rock. It was a read that challenged me to growth in sanctification, touching important ethical and moral issues that at times Christians neglect. A further point on the agenda was admitted in what can only be related to what happens when sanctification is stultified through pagans in the pew - and behind the pulpits. 'Within the church we find erosion of confidence in the nature of truth.' p 17 Lindsley refers to Schaeffer, CS Lewis and other great apologists, clearly standing on their shoulders and on the high moral ground they achieved in their life's work - a composite sketch is thereby afforded of their worldview. 'Many issues and ethics are mutually contradictory, and one or the other option must be true, independent of anyone's preference. This is the point at which relativism collapses in contradictions. While insisting, 'everyone is right', at the same time it asserts that nobody is really right. To the relativist, no one can claim what Francis Schaeffer called 'true truth' - truth that is true, whether you believe it or not.' p 142 While clearly not a doctrinal guide, it succeeds not only as a call to biblical truth, but is informative of a Christian worldview. So it creates enough participation through interest created in its subject matter.

I believe this book really gets to the heart of the matter in how our current culture thinks, lives, and behaves. Christians need an intelligent and well-thought out answer to the absolutes we hold in a way that best communicates to the relevastic culture now prevelent. This book was a great tool in providing the various means and the skills and answers necessary and important in communicating the eternal truths of the Christian faith in a manner that makes sense to the non-Christian culture.

The book's main premise is that relativism (postmodernism, the belief that nothing can be known, so reality is just a tale that we spin) is self-refuting. Moreover, relativism is an uncommonly intolerant position, because while claiming to practice tolerance, relativists reject *all* truth-claims. Instead of offering tolerance and freedom to everyone, they offer it to no one. Contrary to what some of the associated links might suggest, this is not a political book. People who believe in objective values comprise practically the whole political spectrum, from left to right.

The motto of the post modern age seems to be "even if that's true for you, it doesn't have to be true for me." Intolerance is the unpardonable sin to the pomo mindset, and that leaves Christians as heretics to the new order. Christians have been labeled as intolerant, arrogant, and narrow minded for insisting that there are absalutes. Often, we can add defensive to that list, as we try to defend our stance. **** To address this, Art Lindsley has written a concise book that will explain why absalute truth is real and how to defend your beliefs without being arrogant or defensive. His source list is impressive, his arguments, logical. All together, this is a fascinating, scholarly treatise. ****Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.