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How to Recognize Truth
| This rhetorical
question asked by Pontius Pilate of Jesus, who ironically is truth,
represents a sort of world weariness of the inadequate philosophical
musings of the ancient Greeks. To start, a rock solid definition of
truth is helpful, truth is the absolute and unchangeable description of
reality. The biggest enemy of truth is wanting to feel good.
Considering we all start life helpless, ignorant, and selfish it is
important to have trustworthy sources of information. Since most of our
information comes from other humans, the development of critical
skepticism is essential to determining truth. The bible describes
discernment as an ability that benefits from exercise (Heb 5:14).
Because we tend to drift into complacency, we also tend to take in as
true things that are not. There are degrees of vulnerability to
deception. We can be blinded by our passions and prejudices. We can be
reluctant to question something we hold to because deeply or dearly
held. For Christians the process of coming to maturity
(Christ-likeness) also helps us recognize truth.
Having a category for “I don’t know yet” is a good way to deal with
things of which we are uncertain. This can be useful to avoid making
decisions before we have enough data. Skepticism can be applied to
consider assertions made that are specifically designed to undermine
the faith of Christians consider a particular occult book (information
received from demons through a human channel and published in book
form), “At ten minutes before three, intense vibrations of commingled
material and morontia activities began to issue from Joseph's new tomb,
and at two minutes past three o'clock, this Sunday morning, April 9,
A.D. 30, the resurrected morontia form and personality of Jesus of
Nazareth came forth from the tomb.”
The inclusion of a specific time gives an elements of specificity that
often adds an element of precision and thus credibility to an
assertion. The prospect of having access to unusual or even hidden
information can appeal to one desiring to feel special. This can be
seen with gnosticism as well as the initiates of the ancient mystery
religions. Skepticism can be useful to prevent taking in contaminated
information as truth and subsequent elements that can be built on them.
Skepticism is also useful in examining existing belief systems.One may
have been raised with a Calvinist perspective of Christianity. However,
applying skepticism brings one to question if the sovereignty of God
asserts his control over everything, it begins to make God responsible
for evil as well. The counter of “permissive will” both seems to be an
inadequate defense as well as imply free will. Deconstructing false
assumptions can be difficult and take time because one does not want to
quickly enter into an alternative that is also flawed.
The key to accurate reflection as well as assessment is to have a
better access to truth and wisdom. Truth comes from a long immersion in
the word of God. Wisdom is available to all who ask in faith (without
doubting, James 1:5). Perhaps a good measure of how well we can
perceive truth is to gauge our own humility. Truth, when applied to
ourselves, can only bring humility. Many people can see truth when it
is applied to other people, however, it can take some courage to see
where we fall short ourselves. To recognize truth, one has to be "of the truth".
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in
my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. -
John 8:31-32 |
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