High School and Truth Change

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

High School (1972-74)  Something massive happened during this time--not only did desegregation begin, but our understanding of truth became increasingly subjective.I have been trying to teach critical thinking to equip us to think clearly. There are certain fallacies (errors in thinking) which we have addressed, however there is a mindset which can napalm it all. Let me explain.

If we imagine critical thinking as a ship which navigates us through the tumultuous waters of life, then subjectivism can sink our ship before it even leaves the  port.

Subjectivism is the idea that one opinion is as good as the next, or that what is true is what you think is true.

"It may not be true for you, but its is true for me," or "What is true is what you think is true." I trust you have heard this.......

This kind of irrational thinking is of recent vintage.

Of course some things are subjective--(e.g. "Crest is the best toothpaste."....that is an opinion). But truth claims about objective reality is a horse of a different color. Jesus either rose from the dead or He didn't....it can't be both.

I want to ask my my high school friends to think back....please be careful because it is easy to impute current thought forms to what we actually thought in '72.

GENERALLY, if there was a conflict over some aspect of objective reality, then both folks would assert the other was wrong. "A" and "not A" could not be right at the same time, and in the same relationship. That is the most basic rule of logic or just common sense.

Francis Schaeffer wrote a book entitled "Escape From Reason" which shows how we came to this place, but in the last 40 years the process has accelerated We have almost destroyed logic by embracing subjectivism and relativism. If all truth is mere opinion, then why believe anything? Truth as truth lies fallen in the streets. Being aware of this change is the first step in trying, by God's grace, to help us see truth through God's eyes.

In the short time since I was in high school, the notion of truth has been turned on its head.. May the Lord enable us to recapture and embrace His gift of common sense.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.