Dear Emily,
I’m writing to you today to discuss a starting point for your life—a point that I wish I had discovered when I was your age, instead of waiting so long. As I reflect on my life and the profound lessons learned along the way, there's a particular piece of wisdom, a guiding light, a starting point that I need to share with you, drawn from both my own experiences and the writings of C.S. Lewis.
You see, back in my college days, when asked what I was studying, my friends and I would often say, in our typical disrespectful manner, that we were "searching for the truth." Little did I understand then how crucial that pursuit actually is—not just in an academic sense, but in the very essence of living a meaningful life. It's this journey towards truth, towards understanding what is right as opposed to what is wrong; what is good as opposed to what is evil; and what leads to a better life as opposed to one filled with self-inflicted pain and suffering, that I wish to discuss with you.
My awakening to the importance of this search began with a scripture that struck a chord deep within me: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This passage illuminated a profound choice we all face: to live by the objective truth of a moral law that points to God or to navigate life through the subjective truths of man. That’s it. You only have these two choices in life. Pick one.
This realization was further enriched by the wisdom of C.S. Lewis, who eloquently argued for the existence of an objective moral law, a standard of right and wrong that transcends our individual preferences and societal trends. Lewis posited that this moral law suggests a moral Lawgiver—pointing us toward the existence of God. He wrote in "Mere Christianity" that our understanding of right and wrong, much like the laws of nature, is not a matter of opinion but a fundamental truth that guides us toward what is good and just. This perspective encourages us to seek a stable foundation for our understanding of morality, one that is not swayed by the changing tides of human thought and culture but is anchored in the eternal truth of God.
C.S. Lewis dismissed the subjectivity of truth as defined by man, noting the existence of a standard of behavior that people throughout the world know, even though they might not follow it. Some things are just right or wrong in every society. He argues that this universal moral code, which guides our sense of right and wrong, cannot be merely a social or biological construct but must come from a source outside of humanity itself—pointing towards the existence of God.
Lewis effectively argues, "If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..." This statement is a profound dismissal of the idea that truth can be purely subjective. If there was no absolute truth, we wouldn't be able to recognize that something is false; we wouldn't be able to argue about right and wrong with any conviction or consistency. We wouldn’t be able to say “truth is subjective.”
This echoes the biblical assertion found in James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." This verse suggests that truth, goodness, and morality are unchanging and come from God, not subject to human whims or cultural changes.
Living by this objective truth, and the objective truth I believe can be found in the Word of God contained within the Bible, brings clarity and certainty to our lives, guiding us toward actions and decisions that are not only good for us but good for the world around us. In contrast, history has shown us time and again that subjective truths, which prioritize personal or collective power, often lead to oppression and suffering.
Emily, my little girl, my hope for you is that you embrace the search for this objective truth with an open heart and an open mind. Let it guide you in your decisions, big and small, and lead you toward a life of purpose, meaning, and compassion. Remember, "the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
As you navigate the complexities of life, always strive to discern what is right, what is good, and what will lead not only to your happiness but to the betterment of the world around you. In this search, you will undoubtedly find a stable foundation for understanding right from wrong, good from evil—a foundation built on the objective truth that points us all toward the love and wisdom of God.
With all my love and blessings,
Dad
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