What is transcendent values?

Answer 1

Transcendent value is a value placed on person, place, entity or thing that is above in value than any other person, place, entity or thing. It is the most valuable.

That which if of transcendent value can be known from the statement made by Jesus when he was here on earth. This statement is found in The Bible at Matthew 16:26 - "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

You may decide that something is of transcendent value to you or may be the most valuable in the entire world. You may name it. When you name it you may even possess it. In other words you now have what to you is the most important thing in the world.

But here is the problem: Most, if not all things on this Planet Earth, are transitory. That which you value above all other things will one day be out your possession. Money, fame, position, friendship, property, happiness, health, religion, power, knowledge, you can put anything else there; even the last of them all - life, your life, will leave you one day.

This is where Jesus wanted to take all human beings in their consideration of transcendent value. Even if one has the entire world, the time will come when that person will leave this world, this Planet Earth.

So it is important to view value in the light of the after life. What will happen when that which we see as most valuable now, leaves us or we leave it, as surely we all will?

The Bible teaches and Jesus confirms, that after death or the end of life and everything that comes with it, there can be one of two destinations: eternal damnation or eternal life (John 5:28,29).

Jesus focused on eternal life. He wanted all humankind to realize that after life and the possession of all good things in life, one can continue on to eternal life with Him. He declared himself as the only source of eternal life (John 5:24). On the other hand, all who do not receive eternal life will experience eternal damnation. The truth is that eternal life is more important/valuable than eternal damnation. Therefore, the real answer to the question: What is Transcendent Value? Is: the value that is above all values in this life, that will continue on into life eternal through Jesus Christ.

This is termed as not losing ones soul. To lose the soul is to enter into eternal damnation after life on this planet is ended by death. The saving of the soul is the entering into life eternal after life on this planet is ended by death. So in Jesus' words, there is no value in accepting the highest value in the entire world and at the end lose the soul.

So, how can one be certain of having that which is of transcendent value? Only by accepting Jesus as saviour, by faith. He will give eternal life now and in the future. Check the book entitled - "Of Transcendent Value" by Dr. Leslie V. McMillan