Hierarchy of Truth: Relationship with Truth, Itself

The general idea in Sacramental Theology is that we have the ability progress in the Hierarchy of Truth. How does one progress in the Hierarchy of Truth? How does one move from what they can determine to be Subjective Truth to what is Objective Truth? For one who wishes to know that which is Truer than previously considered one must gain more knowledge. If I am in the Pit, in order to learn the Objective Truth of the Pit, I just need more knowledge. But what if I have reached my limit of how much I can see or experience? What if my flashlight cannot illuminate any farther? What if I have climbed as far as possible? In order to know more about the Pit, I need the help of someone who has gotten farther than I have. I need to be in some sort of a relationship with that person or persons.  For example, to use one’s senses to observe the world is to acquiesce to knowledge outside of oneself or one’s ego. In order to develop a greater understanding of Truth which is higher on the Hierarchy, I must enter into a relationship with one who has access to that greater Truth. If a student wishes to know more about mathematics they must develop a relationship with one who has already encountered that particular knowledge. That teacher, then, in terms of mathematics at least, is at a higher level in the Hierarchy of Truth. The only way one can grow in knowledge or Truth, then, is through some sort of relationship, either with the knowledge itself or with one who possesses that knowledge. In the Pit, I need someone who has a better flashlight; I need someone who can see better; I need someone higher up in the Pit.

Cathedral of the Plains, St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Liberty, Kansas (Photo Credit: P. Smith)

This is where it gets more theological. If I seek Truth that is beyond human comprehension, I cannot directly encounter that knowledge the same way a student could potentially learn mathematics on their own. An encounter with one who has access to all knowledge, then, is essential for an individual to have any such access to Objective Truth. In Christianity, ultimately, the goal is Truth, and if Truth is only gained through relationship with Truth itself or through relationship with one who knows Truth, then it is relationship with one who is eternal that allows for such access to Truth. That is a mouthful. I translate it for my students. I want Truth outside the Pit; I cannot get outside the Pit, myself; I need a relationship with someone already outside the Pit in order to get that Truth. Christianity claims, simply, that God is both the Truth and the one who knows the Truth. God is the one outside the Pit. Therefore, it is relationship with God that provides access to Truth.