Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church and its adherents believe in a single objective truth, which is God, and that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. This is in contrast to the philosophy of Relativism, which posits that truth is subjective and that you have your truth and I have mine. The Catholic concept of truth is multi-faceted, with various types of truth, such as logical, moral, and ontological, all of which are interconnected and centred around the Christian God and Christ. Catholics believe that the Church, established by Christ, is the guardian of this truth, and that the truth can be found in Holy Scripture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Truth | Conformity of the intellect with what the thing perceived actually is |
| Truth in Catholicism | Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life |
| Truth in Catholic Doctrine | Objectively true |
| Truth in Reality | The best way to face reality is to be a follower and friend of Jesus Christ |
| Truth in the Bible | "Sanctify them in truth, Your word is truth" (John 17:17) |
| Truth in the Gospels | "For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice" (John 18:37-38) |
| Truth in Divine Revelation | The understanding of what is true and real |
| Truth in Holy Scripture | "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matthew) |
| Truth in Catechism of the Catholic Church | "Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy" |
| Truth in Scholastic Theory | A relation that holds between the knower and the known (Logical Truth), the knower and their outward expression (Moral Truth), and the thing itself as conceived by God (Ontological Truth) |
| Truth in Relativism | "You have your truth and I have mine" |
| Truth in Subjectivity | It is impossible to never be subjective |
| Truth in Perception | The perception of the object matches up to what the object is in itself |
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What You'll Learn
God is the source of all truth
The Catholic Church teaches that God is the source of all truth. This is reflected in the Gospel of John, where Jesus says, "I have come into the world, to testify to the truth". Catholics believe that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life", and that his life and teachings have revealed the truth to humanity.
The concept of truth in Catholic doctrine is complex and multifaceted. It involves the idea of objective truth, which is independent of individual beliefs or perceptions. In other words, truth is not relative or subjective; it is absolute and universal. This is in contrast to the philosophy of Relativism, which suggests that truth is dependent on individual perspectives. Catholics reject this notion, asserting that truth is based on the conformity of one's intellect with the actual nature of a thing.
Ontological truth, a key concept in Catholic theology, refers to the relationship between God's ideas and the created world. It asserts that everything in the universe is an expression of God's ideas and embodies an essential part of His plan. This implies that God, as the creator of the universe, is the source of all truth.
Furthermore, Catholics recognise a hierarchy of truths within their doctrine. This hierarchy is structured around central truths, such as the doctrine of the Trinity and the saving actions of Jesus Christ. These fundamental truths provide a framework for understanding other aspects of the faith and shed light on the mysteries of God's plan for salvation.
In addition to divine revelation, Catholics also seek truth through Sacred Tradition, Scripture, and the guidance of the Church. The Church, established by Jesus Christ, is seen as the guardian of truth, providing believers with a community that upholds and preserves the teachings of Christ.
Ultimately, for Catholics, the pursuit of truth is a spiritual endeavour that involves both intellectual understanding and a commitment to living in accordance with God's plan. By seeking truth, Catholics strive to align themselves with the ultimate source of truth—God Himself.
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The Bible contains truth
The Catholic Church holds that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and therefore, it can contain no formal error. This is the Catholic doctrine of inspiration, which is based on the belief that God is the principal author of the Holy Writ and cannot deceive nor be deceived.
The Church teaches that everything the Bible asserts is true and without error, though this only applies to matters of faith and morals, not history and science. This is supported by section 11 of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), which states that Scripture "teach [es] that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures". The key phrase here is "for the sake of our salvation", which is used to argue that only the aspects necessary for salvation are free from error.
The Pontifical Biblical Commission in 1905 also affirmed this, stating that sacred writers may not have always intended to give a true and strict account of history but rather to set forth a parable, allegory, or some meaning distinct from the literal or historical signification of the words. For instance, while the first eleven chapters of Genesis are considered historically true, the narratives within are written in "simple and figurative language" to convey fundamental truths about the divine scheme of salvation.
However, this does not mean that the Bible is infallible, a term that refers to the inability to make a mistake or teach error. Instead, the proper term to describe the Bible is "inerrant", which means that while it may contain truth, it may also include errors, especially when considering scientific or historical aspects.
In conclusion, Catholics believe that the Bible contains truth in matters essential for faith and morals, but it is important to recognise that it may not always provide a strictly accurate historical or scientific account.
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Catholics seek the truth
Catholicism holds that God is the source of all truth. As the creator of the universe, God expresses his ideas in the things that he creates, and everything within the universe embodies an essential part of that plan.
The Catholic Church, established by God, is the guardian of "truth". Catholics believe that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life", and that his life and teachings have revealed the truth to them. This is reflected in the Bible, in John 14:6, where Jesus says, "I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life".
Catholics believe that there is one objective truth, and that this is not relative. In other words, there is no such thing as "your truth" and "my truth". If one's perception of something does not conform to what it actually is, then one is in error, no matter how convinced or how one feels about it.
Catholics also believe that there is a hierarchy of truths, with the doctrine of the Trinity at the centre of Catholic faith. This hierarchy is not a "principle of subtraction", but rather a "principle of organic structure", with different truths of faith "organised" around a centre.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines truthfulness as: "Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candour. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy".
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Truth is objective, not relative
The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life", and that his life and teachings have revealed the truth to us. Catholics believe that God is the source of all truth and that the Church, established by Jesus, is the guardian of this truth.
The Catholic concept of truth is often expressed as a relationship between the knower and the known, or between ideas as they exist in our minds and the reality they refer to. This relationship is one of correspondence, conformity, or agreement. For example, when we perceive an object correctly, we can say that we know it "truly". This is an example of objective truth, where our perception of something matches its actual existence.
In contrast, relativism is the philosophy that asserts that truth is relative to individual perspectives or feelings. The Catholic Church rejects this notion, arguing that truth is objective and absolute, not relative. While it is impossible to never be subjective, it is a mistake to consider subjective opinions as objective truths. When faced with differing perceptions, the question should be: whose perception is most in touch with reality?
Catholics believe that the truth is knowable and can be discovered through Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Church. The Church's doctrine is considered objectively true, and it provides a framework for understanding the world and our place in it.
Furthermore, Catholics view truth as something that is desired and expected from one another. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines truthfulness as "uprightness in human action and speech", emphasizing sincerity and guarding against hypocrisy. Truth, in this sense, becomes a virtue that shapes one's identity and interactions with others.
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Truth is a virtue
For Catholics, the idea of truth is closely tied to God and Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life". The Catholic Church, established by Jesus, is seen as the guardian of "truth".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines truth as a virtue:
> "Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candour. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy."
This definition highlights the importance of aligning one's actions and words with the truth, and avoiding deception or hypocrisy. It suggests that truth is not just an abstract concept but a guiding principle for one's behaviour and interactions with others.
In Catholic philosophy, the concept of truth is often discussed in relation to ideas of objectivity and subjectivity. While acknowledging that people can have different perceptions and interpretations of reality, Catholics emphasise the existence of objective truth, which is rooted in God's creation and revelation. This belief in objective truth stands in contrast to Relativism, the view that truth is subjective and dependent on individual beliefs or feelings.
The Catholic understanding of truth also involves the notion of ontological truth, which suggests that the universe and everything within it are created according to a rational plan by God, who is the source of all truth. This implies a correspondence between the ideas in God's mind and the reality that He has fashioned.
Furthermore, Catholics recognise a hierarchy of truths within their doctrine, with the doctrine of the Trinity as the central truth of faith. This hierarchy is not meant to diminish the significance of certain truths but rather to organise them around a central structure, with Christ at the centre.
In conclusion, for Catholics, truth is a virtue that extends beyond mere correctness or accuracy. It involves a commitment to seeking and living according to the objective truth revealed by God and embodied in Jesus Christ. This truth guides one's actions, interactions, and understanding of the world, fostering integrity and sincerity in one's character.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ is the "Way, the Truth and the Life", and his life and teachings have revealed the truth to us. The Church, established by Christ, is the guardian of "truth".
Relativism is the philosophy that a thing is whatever someone thinks or feels it is, and that there are only points of view and opinions. The Catholic Church rejects Relativism, stating that truth is objective and not relative.
The Catholic view is that truth and reality are in correspondence with each other. Truth is the "equation of the thought and the thing", where the perception of an object matches what the object is in itself.
The Catholic Church recognises a hierarchy of truths, with the doctrine of the Trinity at the centre. This hierarchy is not a "principle of subtraction" but an "organic structure", where different truths of faith are "organised" around a centre.
