Does Truth Matter?
In a discussion with some teenagers, this question came up,
“Does truth matter that much?”.
They were concerned that if certain truths are emphasised they could be inflammatory and cause friction between individuals and between groups. They are right. If you insist to a ’flat-earther’ that the earth is round he is likely to get upset. In a court of law, the search for truth is paramount, even if it means someone will be found guilty and has a penalty to pay. They will probably be upset but truth is truth and it does matter. Similarly in medicine we try to discover the true cause for a patient’s symptoms in order to recommend the best treatment. I remember one patient who had bowel symptoms and a Barium enema showed a carcinoma of the transverse colon. The optimal treatment was an operation, but she did not believe that was necessary. She refused treatment and sadly died a horrible death. Truths may be uncomfortable and upsetting but may be life saving. In spiritual matters, if you question the validity of Joseph Smith being a reliable prophet to a Mormon, they are likely to be annoyed even though the evidence for his being an unreliable person is very strong. If you question that Mecca existed as a major city before the 8th century, the Qur’an and Islam is being undermined, so ardent Muslims may hate you. The evidence about this is very strong. If you say Jesus did rise from the dead to a Jew or Muslim they will sometimes be aggressive as it suggests that Jesus’ claims to be God may be right. Yet again the evidence for his resurrection is such that would never be overcome in an independent court of law.
The discussion with the teenagers continued.
‘Can’t you just leave people with their own truths and so not upset anybody? Why insist that your own truths are better than theirs?”
This gives rise to a vital point. I once asked a group of senior hospital consultants what they thought truth was. They had a real problem. One suggested it was what the majority believe but this was quickly shown to be a fallacious definition. Powerful politicians or armies can influence consensus. Another said it was what the evidence points to but then the question comes who makes the decision. Instinctively we all feel that in most areas of life there is a concept called ‘truth’ The ‘truth’ can only be what God knows to be true, there must be an absolute dimension to true truth. We are trying to discover this by debating the evidence. This should be the right process in all areas of life, whether in the sciences, humanities or in spiritual matters. Truth is importasnt
Truth is defined in the Bible as ultimately being rooted in the character and being of God, with its highest expression being Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that truth is objective, absolute, and unchanging, and it is synonymous with God's own nature and His revealed word. In a practical sense, it is also described as that which is consistent with God's reality and a virtue that believers should practice. Solomon advises us,
“Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well” Proverbs 23:23
The Lord stresses the importance of truth by presenting us with “the belt of truth” as the foundation of our spiritual armour (Ephesians 6:10–17). We are all spiritual beings and truth is the foundation for this.
Truth is something we must value very highly indeed, yet as the apostle John stressed in his letter to a church (personified as a lady), truth must always be associated with love, because the God who made us is both full of truth and love.
“To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth - because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” 2 John v. 1-3
There must be wisdom, controlled by love, that determines when to express the truth. A child had been told one morning that she should always tell the truth. Later that day, when travelling on a bus, she said to a lady, perfectly accurately, ‘You are fat’. There was great embarrassment. She had not learned that truth must be tempered by love.
This is also true when talking about spiritual truths to others. All truth must be evidence based but it requires wisdom and love to know when and how to express it. An aggressive presentation will usually met by a reactive aggression.
‘My truth’ versus ‘the truth’
‘My truth’ is simply my understanding about a matter, it is what I think or would like to think what ‘the truth’ is. This view can be profoundly wrong and contrary to the evidence.
In 1870 Bishop Milton Wright, a conservative Bishop in a very traditional American denomination, was visiting a small theological college and got into an intense conversation with the President of the college. The bishop was arguing that the beginning of the millennium, which he thought would start after the return of Jesus, was imminent. As evidence he cited the ‘fact’ that everything about nature had been discovered and that all useful inventions had been made. This was the Bishop’s understanding. The President politely told the Bishop that he was surely mistaken and described some of the recent discoveries in science. Then he added,
“I believe, in fifty years, man will be able to fly like the birds!”
The Bishop was scandalised at such an arrogant statement and replied authoritatively,
“Flight is strictly reserved for the birds and angels. And I beg you not to repeat your suggestion lest you be guilty of blasphemy.”
Remarkably, just thirty-three years later, it was Bishop Wright’s own sons, Orville and Wilbur, usually known as the Wright brothers, who made the world’s first flight from the beaches of Kitty Hawk in North Carolina and so began the aviation industry we know today.
His view, his understanding of the truth on poor theological grounds, was proved to be wrong by the evidence.
Expressing truths unwisely may be counter productive
A girl was on a church mission and the organiser thought, probably correctly that she was behaving inappropriately with members of the opposite sex. The girl was accused openly and rumours stated spreading. She became very angry. Is it surprising that she left the church and has lost whatever faith she had? Head on confrontation usually results in arguments and antagonism.
A missionary was asked about the best way to undermine Islam. They were looking for arguments, of which there are many, that demonstrate that islam has been built on very weak foundations. The missionary wisely replied,
“Oh, I invite them for a meal.”
It will usually be the loving behaviour of the Christian that draws people to think about how they stand before God. It is so easy to think that because I’m an Anglican, a Roman Catholic, a Jehovah’s Witness, a Muslim an evangelical or whatever that I am acceptable to God. The Bible is clear that there is only one way that anyone can be acceptable to God and that is when they have submitted themselves to Himpersonally. They love and serve the Lord Jesus whole-heartedly.
Some truths really matter
How can any person, flawed in so many ways, ever be acceptable to God, have all their sin forgiven and have the power to live a completely different godly life. Religion cannot do this but Jesus claimed that he alone had both right and power to do this - because he alone is God. That is a gigantic claim and must be substantiated by evidence. The Bible gives us this evidence. The prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, his lineage, a direct descendant of King David, his birth in Bethlehem, his teaching, the miracles he would do, his death by crucifixion and supremely his resurrection are all clearly foretold in the Jewish Scriptures. Furthermore many of the heroes in the Old Testament portray many aspects of the life of Jesus, they are ‘types’ of who he would be. Jesus did live closely with people who witnessed his life, miracles, crucifixion and resurrection. Many witnesses of Jesus and the resurrection were still alive when the New Testament was written. The disciples subsequently gave their lives proclaiming that Jesus really is the embodiment of God and our only Saviour. Jesus is the only founder of a faith whose claims are available for scrutiny and investigation. This evidence is summarised in my books ‘Cure for Life’ and ‘Stepping Stones’
Yet Jesus said that he alone can save people for eternity.
“I and the Father are one. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
When Peter and John were arraigned before the Sanhedrin they boldly proclaimed,
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
The apostles were unapologetic about the necessity of accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour,
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36
The New Testament was written so that anyone can know the facts about Jesus and so come to receive eternal life.
“ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13
This is why Christians have the responsibility to do all they can to help others realise that Jesus is indeed the light of the world. This is the truth that all need to understand. We are told,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
J. Warner Wallace served as a cold case homicide detective in Los Angeles California. His record of accomplishment for being able to solve crimes that had gone unsolvable for many years is phenomenal. Because of his prowess, he appeared on multiple crime solving documentaries on television.
He was also a very outspoken atheist for many years. His father was a hardened atheist and he had decided that he would be the same, until one day. He and his wife decided that they would go to church, just once, to see if they could gain any practical insights on how to raise their children.
However, he was challenged by the minister, that declared
“Jesus was the smartest man in the history of the world. In addition, all of Western civilisation was founded upon the messages that he spoke.”
Jim thought, this can’t be true. These statements are an overreach. Or are they true?
Jim became curious and decided to consider using his highly tuned technical skills to investigate the gospel narratives of Jesus. He looked at the evidence for himself. The forensic evidence that he found was compelling. His reasoning led him to conclude that the message recorded on the four gospels is true. He now wants people to investigate the gospel themselves.
Many young people today are leaving the church because they don’t believe Christianity to be true. Usually it is because they have not adequately looked at the eyewitness accounts of what took place in the gospel narratives. He says,
“We are not equipping our young people as well as we should. We should encourage anyone who is doubting to read the gospel of Mark. It is the briefest account of the four gospels. This scripture is integral to understanding what has historically taken place concerning the life of Jesus.”
If the stories about Jesus are true, then when we die we will meet him face to face. Without the forgiveness he offers us that fate will be terrible. Furthermore we need a power to overcome the temptations that life throws at us repeatedly. Jesus has promised to give us all the power of the Holy Spirit when we turn to him. What a joy it is to live for him now until we hear him say to us,
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:23
If it is true that God entered his world as Jesus and died to take responsibility for our sin, shouldn’t all people have the opportunity of hearing this message and testing it to ensure it is true? The Christian claim is clear:
“God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
We all have a decision to make, will we follow the truth or try to manufacture a substitute, a substitute that can only work in the short-term. The promise remains:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12
BVP
