Scripture References: John 18:33-38; Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 45:19; John 1:14, 14:6, 8:31-32; Romans 3:3-4; Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 7:9-10
Intro: Welcome to our "Holy War" series – not fighting neighbors, but fighting internally for reverence against the drift towards cynicism. Having affirmed Scripture's authority and reliability (our source for knowing God), we now ask Pilate's question: "What is truth?" Today isn't about what is true, but the nature of truth itself.
Key Points:
- The Battle About Belief: Today's core conflict isn't just over differing beliefs, but about the concept of truth (epistemology). Past debates (like fundamentalist vs. modernist) often shared a view of truth as objective (corresponding to reality). Now, that shared foundation is often missing.
- "Truth Decay" - Modern Views: Many today see truth as:
- Relative: "My truth" vs. "your truth"; depends on perspective.
- Constructed: Socially/culturally created, not discovered.
- Pragmatic: Whatever works or leads to desired outcomes. These views often stem from increased exposure to diverse beliefs but can be logically inconsistent (e.g., "There is no absolute truth" is an absolute claim).
- The Bible's View of Truth: Scripture presents truth (emet) as stable, faithful, conforming to reality. It is:
- Revealed: By God, not invented by humans.
- Objective: Exists independently of our feelings or beliefs (Rom 3:4). We should subjectively experience objective truth, but our experience doesn't define it.
- Knowable: God invites us to seek and know truth (Isa 45:19, John 8:32).
- Universal: Applies everywhere (Matt 28:18-20) but doesn't erase God-given uniqueness (Rev 7:9).
- Eternal: Unchanging, unlike cultural fads.
- Exclusive: Affirming something as true means other things are not (law of non-contradiction; Jesus' claims).
- Truth Frees, Despite Abuses: While truth has tragically been misused to oppress, its biblical nature is liberating (John 8:32). Abuse doesn't nullify truth's value or reality.
Conclusion: Christianity makes claims on reality based on God's revealed, objective, universal truth. While we don't claim absolute knowing, we hold fast to the truth God has revealed. The challenge lies in holding these convictions firmly yet graciously.
Call to Action: How to Hold Truth Without Being a Jerk
- Humble Yourself: Recognize you don't know everything; absolute truth ≠ absolute knowing. Be open to correction. Persuade, don't coerce.
- Serve: Demonstrate truth isn't just a power claim by serving others, like Jesus who laid down His position. Actions speak volumes.
- Listen: Hear other perspectives genuinely. Ask questions. Acknowledge where you or the church might have blind spots.
- Share: Don't let fear silence you. Share what you believe in love, prioritizing personal conversations over public arguments.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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