No. Truth is not relative. Scripture teaches that truth is grounded in God’s unchanging character and revealed in His Word.

What does John 17:17 teach about truth?

John 17:17 teaches that God’s Word is truth. Jesus says, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Why does relativism fail?

Relativism fails because it contradicts itself. When someone claims there is no absolute truth, they are making an absolute truth claim.

How should Christians respond to relativism?

Christians should respond to relativism by knowing God’s Word, speaking truth with clarity and humility, and trusting that biblical truth is freeing rather than oppressive.

Truth Is Not Relative

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read

Truth Is Not Relative

Episode Summary

One of the most common ideas in our culture today is that truth is relative. People often say, “What’s true for you may not be true for me,” but can truth actually be relative, or is there such a thing as objective, knowable truth?In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why truth is not created by us, shaped by personal preference, or defined by culture. Truth is grounded in God’s unchanging character and revealed in His Word.Jesus says in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Relativism promises freedom, but it ultimately leads to confusion. Scripture gives Christians a stable, knowable, and life-giving foundation for morality, meaning, identity, purpose, and all of life.

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Episode Highlights

Why the claim “truth is relative” collapses under its own weight
How relativism turns truth into opinion
Why truth is rooted in God’s unchanging character
How God reveals truth through creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ
Why Christians can know truth truly, even if not exhaustively
How believers can speak truth with clarity and humility
Why biblical truth is freeing rather than oppressive

Key Scripture

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”John 17:17

Call to Action

For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit the podcast page here:Listen to Contending for the Word Q&AYou can also watch more episodes on YouTube here:Watch the Contending for the Word Q&A Playlist

Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

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