My wife and I married some forty five years ago.  August 31, 1970 to be exact.  Besides herself, one of her more important contributions to our marriage was her dowry.  Most of it fit inside a very pretty “Hope Chest” her parents purchased for her.  I feel certain hope chests are no longer in vogue.  To provide enlightenment, a hope chest is purposeful.  A moderately sized wooden box lined with cedar to provide it’s contents with protection from insects, mold, mildew, and odor.   Many formerly referred to  these chests as “Cedar Chests”.  The dowry also contained some furniture, a dictionary, and a really nice, 1967 Ford Mustang.  Besides the cedar chest, her wedding gown, a few pieces of the better furniture, and the dictionary, most all of those items are gone.  Of the remaining, the one item that I treasure the most is the dictionary.  And a fine dictionary it is.  A 1959 edition of Webster’s  New School and Office Dictionary, published by The World Publishing Company of Cleveland and New York.  My wife Karen’s name is in the dictionary, as well as on it, along with the name of her sister, Sherry.  Obviously the dictionary was passed around from child to child to use for school work. Karen and I own other larger dictionaries, as well as newer dictionaries, but this one, this 54 year old dictionary is my favorite.  Nostalgia, I’m certain.  Nostalgia  and the fact that it contains words defined in the manner that I understand.  I know, English is a living language.  I don’t have to like that fact.    Anyway, unless stated otherwise, my definitions will be from this dictionary.  How can one go wrong with a dictionary that states, “Based Upon The Broad Foundations Laid Down By Noah Webster” on it’s title page.  Below are terms that I will use from time to time, the definitions of which must be clarified to avoid misunderstanding.

TERMS

1. Define:  A verb meaning to determine the limits of; describe the nature or property of.
2. Definition:  A noun meaning a brief description or explanation of the precise meaning of a term, phrase, etc.;  a concise statement.
3. Absolute:  An adjective meaning free as to condition;  perfect in itself;  unlimited in power;  irrevocable;  despotic;  positive.  A noun meaning the will or power of the Almighty.
4. Truth:  A noun meaning agreement with reality;  eternal principle of right,  or law of order;  veracity;  fidelity;  fact;  realization;  conformity to rule or example; righteousness;  the right religion.
5. Absolute Truth:  A philosophic term, not listed in Webster’s,  whose existence has been debated for centuries.  My own paraphrased  definition would be, something that is always true, never relative, perfect and unlimited in it’s power.  To borrow from the definitions of absolute and truth from above, an irrevocable fact.  One of my favorite professors from my days at Arkansas Tech was Dr. Travis Arterbury.  Dr. Arterbury taught us that many would ague there are no absolute truths, however, making such a statement is, in fact, an absolute truth.
6. Free:  An adjective meaning without restraint;  at liberty;  permitted;  liberal;  generous;  open;  clear of guilt;  independent;  familiar;  licentious (unrestrained morally or legally);  not arbitrary or despotic;  spirited;  not attached or fixed;  uncombined;  invested with the franchise, etc.  A verb meaning to set at liberty; emancipate;  rid or exempt;  clear.  An adverb meaning gratuitously.
7. Freedom:  A noun meaning the state of being free;  liberty;  independence;  ease in performance;  particular priviledge;  absence of conventionality;  undue familiarity.
8. Free Thinker:  A noun meaning one who forms his opinions independently of others; one who rejects revelation in religion, and dogmatic belief; a latitudinarian.
9. Latitudinarian:  an adjective meaning wide in range or scope; lax in religious principals:  a noun meaning one who holds broad views; a free thinker.
10. Freewill:  and adjective meaning voluntary; holding the theological doctrine that man is free to exercise his will for good or for evil.
11. Worldview:  Another term that is not in Webster’s.  Online I was able to find definitions on several sites.  Oxford Dictionaries states, “A particular philosophy of life or conception of the world”.  Additionally, the Random House  2010 edition of Webster’s College Dictionary provides the following:  1)  The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.  2)  A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.  In both senses, also referred to by the German term, Weltanschauun.  Weltanschauun is defined as a comprehensive conception or image of the universe and humanity’s relation to it.

So, do absolute truths exist?  Are you free?  Should one be free to be free?  Does government provide freedom? Should one have a worldview?  If one should have a worldview, why?