What Is Truth?

I have always wondered what it would be like to live in the Ancient Mediterranean. Mainly, Rome or Greece. I think I would enjoy some aspects more than others. Primarily, I think I would enjoy the discussions. I have always enjoyed hearing other express their viewpoints and in turn, voicing my own opinions. There is great joy to be found in seeking to understand the complexities of not only this life but the one beyond. That statement in itself asserts a viewpoint that I have, that life indeed goes beyond the grave.

I have my own views shaped by my own experiences, beliefs, and also the Bible. I believe that Scripture is inerrant. That is not to say that there are not minor scribal errors due to copying mistakes or that every grammatical hermeneutic is applied with precision. Inerrancy refers to the message. The message of Scripture and its transmission through well over two millenium, remains unchanged. There is a plethora of reliable information about the accuracy of the Bible. As such, in my belief that it is the inspired, inerrant, and life changing word of God, I desire to set it as the lens through which I interpret everything, even my experiences.

Where some allow their beliefs to be shaped by their experience, let my experiences be shaped by my belief. I do not believe that man can rely on reason alone. Granted, reason is a gift from God but reason is not infallible. There is adequate evidence to the failure of man's logic and great evidence for the supremacy of Christian Scripture. As such, I desire to submit myself to that which is unchanging, true, and authoritative. I believe that Oswald Chambers was quite correct when he stated, "The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect, but obedience."

While I am sure that some, if not all, of you who read this will disagree at first, I ask that you consider my next proposition carefully. Should intellect be subjugated by our desire to follow God? Before you let out the resounding, "No", understand that we are far too smart for our own good. We bring presuppositions to Scripture that did not exist during the time in which it was written. We scrutinize details of which the original audience considered frivolous, such as the how of miracles. "How could Jesus have walked on water?" or "How can we know that Jesus was deity?" The objections in the first century were not "How" but "Why". The concern was not whether Jesus was deity but whether he was human at all.

Science desires to answer the "how" of things and Theology desires to answer the "why". I feel that we must be subservient to Scripture even when we disagree with it. There is an apparent dichotomy between what I want to do and what I am told to do. I'm told to obey as a servant obeys his master. But what about the aspects in Scripture that are not clearly defined; which happens to be quite a bit! How are we to handle that which is unknown? I posit a simple understanding which may be overused and is to some overrated. We cannot know all of Scripture and we must accept it.

I enjoy debates as long as they remain civil. I appreciate discussion as long as it remains free of diatribe. But there is a line that often becomes crossed. Oftentimes, I see opinion stated as irrefutable fact. I understand that people feel strongly about a particular matter. When that person is a Christian, I praise God that they have a passion for His word and a desire to be obedient. When that person is not a follower of Christ, I pray that the Lord will soften their heart and turn that passion that they have for polemic to subservience to the Cross.

There are some areas of which the Bible is explicitly clear, i.e. Jesus is the son of God, the Resurrection, etc. Where I feel we get into trouble is when we take issues that may have an obscure aspect to them and tout them as an edict. There is a lot of room for interpretation of Scripture. But we use Scripture to interpret Scripture, not our own thoughts. Many discussions become less about, "How do I apply this Scripture to my life?" and rather become "How do you apply my understanding to yours?" I see a fatal flaw is this line of reasoning, chiefly arrogance.

I am just as guilty as anyone else of thinking that I am correct in matters. Honestly, who holds to a belief that they consciously know is incorrect? But to quote Luther Rice, "Defend truth for the sake of truth, not for the sake of being right." We must think rightly about Scripture but we must live it out through love. I inwardly mourn for Christians who do not see the necessity of living a life under the mandates of Scriptural discipleship and love. I inwardly weep for non-believers who have been told the Gospel but reject it in their wickedness.

The eyes of the world are upon me and you. No matter where you go, someone is watching. If they believe in the hope that is Christ, I pray that they are watching us because of a desire to more effectively assist in the spread of the Gospel. I pray we are watching them so as to know how to best minister to them and in that way glorify Christ. If they are not fellow believers, I pray they are watching because of Christ being reflected in our life. I pray we are watching them because we understand what awaits them without salvation.

I leave you with two quotes, two quotes which I hope we can always keep in mind.

1) Both right doctrine and right living are absolutely essential and totally inseparable for the true child of God. --John MacArthur

2) Biblical love is not free open acceptance as many would claim. It is neither promiscuous nor paltry in application, due to the simple fact of its origin.

Blessings to you and yours.