March 05, 2019 Em [Theology and Ministry]
Mark Kreitzer
Faculty, Faculty of Theology
Dear faculty,
Why is absolute truth essential to life, or is it?
sincerely,
theophilus
Lieber Theophilus,
This is a big question that has been debated for millennia. Ponto Pilate asked a similar question (John 18:38) after Jesus had urged him on, saying that he had come "to bear witness to the truth" and that all "on the side of the truth" had listened to him. A few weeks earlier, when the disciples asked him to show them "the way", he said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6) - not the law the Jews believed in. way, ultimate truth and life (Romans 2:20).
Jesus meant that truth was not just some abstract thing floating in space that we must mystically experience or force our will to follow, but was a person in itself. "In Christ," adds Paul, "all the riches of the Godhead dwell bodily." and in it also are hidden "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Paul wanted the Colossians not to be deceived by "pleasant" philosophical "arguments" (Colossians 2:3-4, 9), but for believers to find all truth in Christ. Truth, then, is not an abstract and empty philosophical argument dependent on human teachings and elemental spiritual forces, but a person.
Finally, philosophy tends to believe that truth consists solely and exclusively in abstract statements. However, this does not answer Pilate's final question. Where does the absolute truth come from and who gives the truth? Paul says that all truth in the universe is found in Christ as the Word, Wisdom and Knowledge belonging to God Himself. If we neglect it, we will have no real truth and, ultimately, nothing will make sense.
That is why many no longer speak of a universe, but of a multiverse, or of a university, but of a multiversity. Postmodernism says that everyone is their own truth. Paul, who follows Jesus, disagrees. Jesus is the real revelation of his Father's truth. He alone declares him who is the source of truth (John 1:18).
There is only one way to know the Supreme Truth and all other truths related to this Absolute Truth. That way is through the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, truth incarnate (Ephesians 1:17). It is not just religious truth, as some think; it is the absolute truth in all areas of life. Thus he turns a multiversity into a university and upholds a single universe (Hebrews 1:3). He is the Father's Word and wisdom revealed to us by the Spirit through the written Word. Jesus possesses the Spirit of the Father, one with the Lord Jehovah Himself (1 Corinthians 2:15; quotes Isaiah 40:13). The mind of Christ is the Lord's own truth.
In practice, this means that we must listen carefully to our King in all areas he addresses, such as the age of the earth, when did people come to this earth, how many people survived the flood, and whether we can find God through philosophy.
Are you interested in getting a question answered by the dear Theophilus authors? send them allcotblog@gcu.eduwith "Dear Theophilus" in the subject line. You can learn more about GCUsfaculty of theologyby visiting our website or clicking the "Request More Information" button.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. All sources cited were correct at the time of publication.