For a few hours on Monday, April 8, 2024, the eyes of more than 30 million people in North America turned to the heavens. They watched the solar eclipse as it traveled from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland, Canada. While I did not personally see the celestial event, I watched NASA’s video footage from each of the locations in the path of totality (the locations where the sun was completely blocked by the moon). As spectacular as the eclipse was for those present, what amazed me most was our ability to track its occurrence to the second. This is a testament, not only to advances in science and technology, but most importantly, to the precision with which our universe operates. This precision, based on absolutes (unchanging constants), is what makes predictability possible in science and other areas of life.
Predicting the Eclipse
According to NASA, astronomers preparing for an eclipse use Isaac Newton’s laws of motion to mathematically calculate the movement of Earth and the moon in space. The current positions and speeds of Earth and the moon are entered into their equations. Then a computer projects the equations into the past or future to determine the positions of the moon and sun relative to Earth at any given time in history.
While computers make calculating these equations easier, astronomers have been predicting eclipses long before computers came on the scene. That’s because the sun, Earth and moon follow precise, trackable patterns in what is called the Saros Cycle. This is a period of 223 lunar months in which a lunar and solar eclipse occur. When a lunar eclipse occurs, exactly 9 years, 5.5 days later, a solar eclipse will occur, and vice versa. NASA says, “Approximately 6,585.3211 days, or 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours after one eclipse, the Sun, Earth, and Moon return to about the same relative geometry, and a nearly identical eclipse occurs.”
We accept these facts and figures as absolutes because we trust the research and expertise of scientists who have studied the subject. But apply the idea of absolutes to morality, and the world gasps in horror. For some, the idea of moral absolutes is considered as dangerous as looking directly at the sun without eclipse glasses.
The 2024 solar eclipse proved our need for absolutes in science and all other areas of life.
Why We Need Absolutes
It’s true that during the cosmic event, there was an absolute risk of eye damage for anyone who viewed the sun directly without eye protection. This absolute served as a warning. At the same time, would-be observers of the eclipse knew well in advance the absolute locations where it would be visible, its absolute timing, absolute length, an absolute method to prepare safely for it (eclipse glasses) and even the number of visitors expected at each totality location. These absolutes served as signposts which provided direction and helpful insight. Both types of absolutes — the warning and the informing — gave eclipse viewers clear boundaries and expectations to make the most of their experience.
As we can see, absolute truth is not an enemy, but a friend.
Moral Absolutes Matter
God designed the moral absolutes in the Bible to serve a similar purpose as NASA’s science-based eclipse guidelines. Through them, we receive warning of life’s dangers and instruction to guide our decisions. The absolute truth of Scripture gives us clear boundaries for our conduct so we can experience life to its fullest potential. Psalm 119:93 says, “I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.”
Besides preparing us for an abundant life, the absolute truth of God’s Word also prepares us to face eternity. It tells us of our absolute sinfulness (Romans 3:23) and God’s absolute holiness (Exodus 15:11). It warns us of sin’s absolute penalty (Romans 6:23) while offering us God’s absolute grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). It presents the absolute reality of Heaven (Deuteronomy 10:14) and Hell (Luke 16:19–26). It presents the absolute way to Heaven (John 14:6) and the absolute means to receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Once presented with these absolutes, each of us must decide how we will respond. One thing we cannot do is remain neutral. An event much bigger than the solar eclipse is coming: Our appointment with God. Our response to the absolutes in Scripture will determine where we spend eternity — and allow us to make the most of our remaining time on earth.
Article by Cam Edwards
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