Can Truth Change?
We often hear people say,
"Times have changed."
That is certainly true.
Technology changes.
Governments change.
Cultures change.
Even our knowledge of the natural world continues to grow.
But does truth itself change?
If something was true yesterday, can it become false today?
If something was morally wrong in one generation, does it become morally right simply because society now approves of it?
The Bible consistently answers those questions by pointing us to the unchanging character of God.
The writer of Hebrews declares,
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
James describes God as the One
"with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)
God's character does not change.
Because His character does not change, the moral truths that flow from His character do not change.
This does not mean that every command in the Bible applies in exactly the same way throughout history.
God gave different covenants at different times. Christians are not under the Law of Moses but under the New Covenant established by Christ. Throughout this library we have seen how God's plan unfolded progressively, reaching its fulfillment in Jesus.
But God's holiness, justice, love, faithfulness, and righteousness have never changed.
Neither have His standards for what is good and evil.
Human opinions, however, do change.
Practices that one generation celebrates may be rejected by the next.
Ideas once considered obvious may later be questioned.
History repeatedly reminds us that popular opinion is not always a reliable guide to truth.
That is why Christians do not measure truth by public opinion, political movements, or cultural trends.
We measure it by God's revealed Word.
Jesus prayed,
"Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." (John 17:17)
Notice that Jesus did not say God's Word merely contains truth.
He said it is truth.
That gives Christians a solid foundation in every generation.
Cultures will continue to change.
New questions will arise.
Old debates will return in new forms.
But God's Word remains the standard by which every belief and every practice must be tested.
That does not mean Christians should be stubborn or unwilling to learn.
It means we should always be willing to examine our beliefs in the light of Scripture.
If the Bible corrects us, we should change.
If the culture contradicts God's Word, we should remain faithful to God.
Truth does not change because public opinion changes.
Truth remains true because it rests upon the unchanging character of God.
Continue Your Study
If truth is rooted in God's character, who has the authority to define what is morally right and wrong?
Is morality determined by individuals, by society, or by our Creator?
What does the Bible say?
Related Bible Studies
Biblical Authority
How Do We Build Sound Doctrine?
Should Christians Follow the Culture?
The Story of Redemption
Companion Video
Can Truth Change?
Read First. Conclude Later.