It is said that change is inevitable, and common experience would seem to validate this observation. Yet if you are to remain secure in your identity, it must be founded upon a standard of unchanging principles. These are your most fundamental beliefs, the foundation of your worldview, the things which you know to be true and upon which you may base your understanding. Indeed, you must believe something to be unchanging, lest you be unable to affirm or deny literally anything, lacking a stable standard of truth judgement. Even agnosticism and relativism, philosophical positions which deny common perception of truth, presuppose an understanding of what constitutes “knowable.” This is epistemology, the study of knowledge, a standard by which you determine sufficient support for truth; often your epistemology serves as the backbone of your worldview, although simultaneously being somewhat determined by it.
While in theory an individual’s epistemology will be as unique to them as their sense of identity, as a study there are generalized classifications which we tend to fall in to; as Solomon said, “there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9b) A fairly common example in modern times is experientialism, which is the standard of experience. This position holds that sure knowledge is gained from first-hand observation and experimentation. However, individual experience is subjective by definition, varying from person to person and often even inconsistent with itself. Making your own perception the final judgement of truth may seem empowering, but is technically fallaciously redundant, and does not lend itself to internal stability.
External epistemological standards are typically more viable, appealing to a higher authority which remains theoretically detached from changing circumstances. Rationalism, for instance, presents logical reasoning as a semi-transcendental process by which truth may be determined. By applying the principles of non-contradiction and logical consistency, presuppositions can be applied toward the demonstration of further truth. For total assurance, however, presuppositions must also be subjected to this system, to be verified by previously established truth. This results in a downwards spiral of argument constructs to validate the eventual result, inevitably ending in the experience of the basic logical principles, which are unable to be demonstrated without relying upon themselves.
This brings us back to the oldest form of epistemology: faith. While many wish to deny it, inevitably there is a certain degree of commitment to assumed or presumed truth in everyone. A categorized faith simply attributes the origin of these original truths to a source, whether a divine entity or random chance. If our desire is for stability, we must favor faith with firmly established precepts that leave no room for inconsistency or variance, dependent upon a fully transcendent, though still relatable, source. Faith in impersonal or non-transcendent entities will not grant confidence of themselves, lacking both verifiability and protection from change. Only a loving almighty God guarantees peace of mind and spirit; “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Be of sound faith. TTT