My apologies for getting the truth article series out of order and/or repeated. Here are the first four in the series in this one post.

TRUTH – Part #1

ABSOLUTE TRUTH

“In general, absolute truth is whatever is always valid, regardless of parameters or context,” – Robert Sheldon

Here is an illustration so simple, it just seems silly: The math teacher writes on the board: “1+1=?”  One student answers correctly. But another member of the class says, “that was last week.” Another says, “in my neighborhood the answer isn’t the same.” There ensues a discussion that leaves the problem without an absolute answer.

Whatever might be observed about modern education, new math and the subjective leanings of academia, there is one correct answer, and that answer has always been valid, “regardless of parameters of context.”

Now let’s change the illustration. In a college level biology class, the question is raised: HOW MANY GENDERS ARE THERE? Fifty years ago there would have been a quick answer that would have sparked no serious debate. What has changed?

In an issue of Women’s Health (published July 6, 2022), the author listed 16 genders. Perri O. Blumberg holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Columbia University and her work has appeared in the New York Post, Men’s Journal, Oprah Daily, and Southern Living. *

And I would offer that her number of 16 is, of course, not absolute. Going forward, the “number of genders” will likely be fluid, ever changing, and we will hear this in terms of “my truth” and “your truth.”

It is being argued today that culture, personal choice, context, perception and imagination precludes absolute truth. So if you have two apples, do you really have two?

Arguments against absolute truth are actually arguments against truth! It is beyond fuzzy logic or sentimental appeals to affirm everybody and everything. It is an assault against the truth itself.

“Truth is discovered, not invented. It exists independent of anyone’s knowledge of it. (Gravity existed prior to Newton.)  Truth is transcultural; if something is true, it is true for all people, in all places, at all times (2+2=4 for everyone, everywhere, at every time).  Truth is unchanging even though our beliefs about truth change. Truth is not affected by the attitude of the one professing it. (An arrogant person does not make the truth he professes false. A humble person does not make the error he professes true.)  All truths are absolute truths.”

Geisler, Norman L.; Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Foreword by David Limbaugh) (pp. 37-38). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

* Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a36395721/gender-identity-list/

AFTER THOUGHT à If someone claims there is no absolute truth, ask if that claim is absolutely true!

TRUTH – Part #2

Creation Truth

“If we want to make sense of Our life, we must order our thinking and behavior to align with these realities,” – David King

Your journey of life needs to begin with an introduction to God, who “In the beginning created the heavens and the earth,” (Gen. 1:1). Creation truth is foundational. “What we know about God, about creation, about ourselves, and about salvation begins in Genesis,” (R. Kent Hughes, GENESIS: Beginning and Blessing).

The theories of human speculation about origins not only fail to account for the miracle of creation, they are completely unfulfilling with respect to our sense of purpose and destiny. God “spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast,” (Psalm 33:9).

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible,” (Heb. 11:3). Jesus was active in the beginning: “He was in the beginning with God,” and “all things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made,” (Jno. 1:2,3).

Here is the familiar argument from design. I hear this once called the “WHO MADE IT” argument.

A teenage boy confided in his father that he was having doubts about the existence of God. The father pointed across the street and asked, “who made that house?” The boy said “I don’t know his name, but a builder made it.” The father asked about their automobile, their electronic equipment, the appliances in the house, etc. Next, the father spoke to his son about the word “manufacture.” MAN takes raw materials created by God, assembles them and makes something useful, often through years of trial and error. All man can do is assemble what already exists. Who made the raw materials? And who made man? “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God,” (Heb. 3:4). “God thought it and willed it, and it was,” (R. Ken Hughes).

“Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who made us, and not we ourselves,” (Psalm 100:3).

TRUTH – Part #3

Is The Truth In You?

The truth from God may be on the page in front of you. The truth from God may be something you’ve heard all your life. You are not inclined to doubt it or debate it. But is the truth really in you?

In Scripture, truth isn’t just something written on a page, or vocalized. It must reside in you. The truth of the gospel of Christ, to see you free, must live inside you.

When Joseph held that very tense conversation with his “long, lost” brothers upon their arrival in Egypt, he wanted to know if there was truth in them (Gen. 42:16).

The 15^th Psalm describes the man who has the approval of God as one who “speaks truth in his heart,” (Psa. 15:2).

John is forthright in his statement that the one who claims fellowship with God but is disobedient, “the truth is not in him,” (1 Jno. 2:4). And “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” (1 Jno. 1:8). Paul said, “the truth of Christ is in me,” (2 Cor. 11:10).

The claim to know the truth of God falls short of validity if His truth is not alive in us, cherished, a personal possession that finds expression in how you live.

Consider two people: One believes a lie, the other believes the truth, yet both are disobedient to God. Each of us need to “know assuredly” that Jesus is Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). But let the words of Christ live in you. He said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46).

Paul wrote the truth given to him by the Holy Spirit, and his writing included this: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you,” (Phil. 4:9).

A right attitude toward truth is not complicated. It just means that you have subscribed to the Bible and that you have made a commitment to follow it regardless of where it leads or what are the consequences for having done so. It means you want to apply it to yourself even when it hurts and even when you know it may not be popular. But you don’t have to make some big deal out of that; it just says you realize that “ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). – Dee Bowman

TRUTH – Part #4

The God of Truth