We live in a real world, with real laws, and truth that does not change. There are laws which no one can simply choose to ignore (I.E. gravity, the laws of thermodynamics, mathematics etc.) The point is that we all share a common ground, a framework in which we live by certain truths whether we choose to notice them or not. If one chooses to ignore this obvious fact, there is little that can be done to argue, for argument assumes that rational thought processes are at work. As Hank Hanegraaff has said, "Even those who deny reality look both ways before they cross the street."

Reality Exists

Evangelizing the world today is much different than it was a generation ago. It is far different than it was centuries ago. In the first century the Bible was a given, we had only to show that Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy and then on to saving faith. Then people began to doubt the Bible itself. Later, it would become necessary to first establish the monotheistic God's existence, then show that His Word was recorded in the Bible. The apologist had the daunting task of first showing that God existed and then that the Bible was the Word of God, and then that Christ was the messiah. Today, truth itself is questioned.

Truth, by definition is a statement that corresponds to reality. It is an accurate statement of what is. But if truth can change, if it is malleable and relative to the person who holds it, if it depends on their perspective for its truthfulness, evidence becomes worthless. Relativism, as opposed to absolutism, teaches that there is no ultimate basis for knowledge, that all truth is relative and perspective-driven. Its pluralism teaches that all views are true, even contradictory ones! Postmodernism has changed the very foundation of all reason. The opposite of pluralism is exclusivism. The exclusivist claims that their truth is the only truth and that all contradictory claims are false. If Christianity is true, then all non-Christian religions are false. If Christ is the only way to God, then any other way leads to hell. It is therefore incumbent upon us to show that reality itself exists, before we move on to God's existence and the message of His Word.

    Below is a basic outline showing why absolute truth exists.

All truth cannot be relative.

• It is self contradictory to make an absolute truth claim that absolute truth does not exist.
• The claim is, itself, exclusivistic - for it claims that non-pluralism is untrue.
• If all truth is relative, then pluralism (as a truth) may not be true in all cases.
• If it is untrue in even one case, it cannot be true.
• Opposites cannot both be true.
• If all truth is relative then no one is ever wrong.

• Context determines the truthfulness of relative statements (He is short / tall or good / bad).
• A statement about a place is absolutely true for everyone everywhere else (It is cold in this room).
• A person's statement about themselves is absolutely true for everyone else (I am warm).
• Truth does not change over time.
• Truth does not change when knowledge increases (we now know there are 12 planets)
• Truth does not change when we move from wrong to right (flat earth, witch trials)
• A truth that "changes over time" is still absolutely true at any given point in time.

• To argue for something is to claim is true. Relativism must assume it's opposite in order to be true. It is therefore automatically false.
• Absolutes are unavoidable - if nothing is absolute then nothing cannot be absolute ("Never say never.").
• All arguments for relativity suffer from the same dilemma (Dream vs. reality or my reality vs. your reality) (Illusion of reality - must be an illusion of something real).

If truth is not true for all people, then relativism is not true for all people, one case refutes it.

• Any statement regarding truth is itself a truth statement (even the pluralist's claim is exclusive).
• Any meaningful statement must be true or false... affirmable or deniable.
• If anything is true, it's opposite - by definition - is false.
• Any meaningful statement, therefore, is a claim to absolute truth.

Therefore: Contradictory Beliefs cannot "all teach the same thing."

• By removing all differences, it is a self-fulfilling statement - but it is nevertheless a false idea.
• Morality is a basic concept ingrained in mankind's consciences, it therefore cannot be used as a     measure of transcendent truth.
• This avoids the real question, "Is it true?"
• There cannot be more than one "ultimate", someone is involved in idolatry.
• Opposites cannot both be true.

Therefore: It is not "intolerant to say no belief is true other than your own.

• Anyone holding to this is equally intolerant, as they will not tolerate intolerance.
• If we must tolerate views with which we disagree, then we are not really pluralists.
• If by "intolerance is meant "attitude", then the same could be said against intolerant pluralists.
• There are views with which even a pluralist could not be tolerant.

• They were all wrong.
• More importantly, we know they were wrong! The story would mean nothing if we were not aware of the truth. Without truth it is impossible to be wrong.
• The story is self-defeating. In trying to prove relative truth, it has instead proven absolute truth.
• We are not blind. Evidence for the truth of ideas, statements and facts exists.