War Against The Truth
The Christian Faith is one which holds the unique position of expressing an absolute truth; no other philosophical worldview nor religious worldview can even make such a claim as it has no justification. They are all their own worst enemy for they are contradictory with themselves and each other. If you do not believe this to be the case; then just consider what they say about the biblical witness: in one breath, they will affirm its truthfulness; and then the other, they will deny it by claiming things which cannot be demonstrated. But that is not the issue here as much as it may have some place in the discussion; we need to consider this more broadly or in more general terms.
The bible is clear that there is such a thing as absolute truth; and to even live in this world we must at least subconsciously agree with this premise; even if some of us at best of times speak in ways which may suggest we do not. For example, we would all agree that certain things are absolutely right such as giving a pregnant woman your seat; so that, she can be comfortable and other are absolutely wrong such as murdering a group of people. Or at least we should agree on this. Was it right or wrong for Hitler to murder Jews in 1930's-40's ? if there is no absolute truth; no absolute standards-- then how can we be sure that it was either? we simply cannot say on a subjective level whether it was right or wrong.
But, in the end, the conclusion of such a standpoint is the clear suppression of truth (Romans 1:18-22). And what is the truth? It is as the lord tells us in John 17:17: "your word is truth." In other word, for something to be the truth it must correspond with God's absolute standard of truth. Let us now come to the problem: what is it that is trying to usurp this absolute standard of truth?
An outright rejection of truth
In this pragmatic world, we face the danger of becoming a society of easily deluded people because we allow absolutes to be replaced with a relativistic approach to what is true and what is not. We all have heard of the tag line "what is true for you" or more commonly put "if it works then it is right." It has even effected the church and its philosophy of ministry in the pulpit and in the evangelistic work; but to do such a thing is to compromise with the truth. Let us just state that even if something works; it does not necessarily mean it is true; right or even morally correct. Because if it were true that because something works that is right then you have walked into a whole load of evil activity and pronounced it good and right when in reality it is not. Man must be careful. There is always one absolute true standard of right and wrong; and that is God's word.
Think about from a logical stand point. The Lord gave us the 10 commandments which are His standard for all people at all times. That means it is always wrong to commit idolatry whether it is in practice or in making images; blaspheme God's name; violate the Sabbath; dishonour your parents; murder; commit adultery; steal; lie; and to covet. The new Testament drills down into each of these points to show that there is a spiritual aspect within each one. For example: murder relates not only to the physical act of taking ones life unjustly; but likewise to the hatred which festers in the person's heart towards another person ever before it manifests. And with adultery we find it festers as lust. I know why it is always wrong from my worldview. But in this pragmatic world: why is it even wrong to do any of these acts when doing any one of these works to benefits someone? And that is precisely the problem. Next time someone does something to offend you think it through according to the worldview you hold onto for it is its own refutation.
But that is precisely what happens when Atheists and Agnostics do when they reject God to live in their Richard Dawkins based ideal. No, I am not saying that you like or even care for the man; but the evident reality is clear: you subscribe to the same bottom line false proposition as he does:
"The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at the bottom, no design, no purpose, no good, no evil, nothing but pitiless indifference." (River out of Eden)
What does this kind thought tell us? Well, the clear reality of this statement is that he cannot argue consistently because if the above is true then his whole case against Christianity falls flat because he cannot argue that an act is good nor can he argue that act is is evil. In this statement he has not only silenced himself but he has handicapped his entire philosophy because if there is "no purpose" then he has no place to say anything in favour of evolution because it clearly teaches that there is a purpose. But on top of that if the last statement is true then he can show any kind of compassion for those that go through difficult situations for what takes place has no meaning nor purpose but happen to further this mindless process of evolution; and therefore, he has to act indifferent.
Here is what Mike Robinson states on this notion:
Without God one cannot, in principle, account for anything. God is the necessary truth condition for the laws of logic (also known as laws of reason and laws of truth), objective moral values, mathematical axioms, and everything else in and beyond the cosmos. This is certain and absolutely true. The truth is simple and its powerful.
There is simply no justification for such a position: it does not work; and therefore, must be rejected. So what can be said against this abandonment of truth? It seems to me that the writer of the proverbs said something which is very important: "His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin." (5: 21-22) In other words, when man seeks his own way it will inevitably lead to his own downfall. And that is true in every case: think of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel who relied upon his own intellect and power and was struck down and become a wild beast of man. But the same writer as the proverbs says in another book: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14) It is true that what the writer often repeats "there is nothing new under the sun."
Do you see the point I am making in all of this? All other worldviews are folly and bankrupt. And pragmatism is a old idea wrapped in new clothing. But like all human philosophies it is its own worst enemy.
Descent into the truth
The Lord Jesus Christ said, in the 17th chapter of John, "sanctify them by the truth. Your word is the truth." (vs 17) As Saints these words should shape our thinking because we are continually being conformed by the Spirit who applies the truth to our lives. This is such a vital thing in our lives that we are told to "discern the spirits" (1 John 4:1) in order to know what is truth and what is error (vs 6). there is no other way around this: we are at all points told that we must distinguish between two things; so that, we can operate out of the correct position in life. And apart of this happens to be that our communication must be spoke from that position as well (Galatians. 2:5; Ephesians. 4:15) Now let us come to an understanding of what we mean by truth. biblical truth is that which governs every aspect of the christian's life and living it is the doctrines which form the basis of our reality.
The first thing we learn is the existence of the God. In the first verse of the bible we are told "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1) That reveals the undeniable truth concerning Him; we later learn that he is both Triune. That is to say: He is one God who has always exists in 3 persons. And this truth is found in both the Old and New Testaments in the clearest manner. To see both in the Old look at the 40th-48 chapters of Isaiah where in one statement it says only one God exists; and yet time and time again, it suggests that there are 3 persons who are that one God.
The second thing we learn is man is created in the image of God. Both the old and new affirm this reality in genesis 5:1-2 and James 3: 8-9. This means that while all living thing were created of the same substance the dust of the earth; not all living things are therefore unique, that they have a distinguishing feature that makes them accountable to God. And man is that one. Notice how it is put: "let us make man in our image, according to our likeness." (Genesis 1:26) And verse 27 re-emphasises the matter. So therefore we see that we are creatures who bear god's image.
The third thing we learn is the existence of sin. Like the previous point both the Old and New Testaments on the fact of sin. We are told of its entrance in Genesis 3 when Satan tempted Adam and Eve. We are told of many of its manifestations with some ending in judgements (Genesis 6; and 19); but we are told more about it in the New Testament with such an exposition in Romans 1-3; and Ephesians 1:1-3. However, one of the most essential passages on how it came to be is found in Romans 5: 12-14. Note the words "therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all men sinned (in him)." (vs 12)
The fourth thing we learn is the reality of salvation. God has chosen a method to redeem sinner and bring glory to Himself. All of scriptures tell us this in detail: God Chooses us; He calls out of the world; He regenerates us; he justifies; he sanctifies; he glorifies us. And each member of the trinity is involved in the whole process as we see in Ephesians 1:1-14; and Romans 8:1-34. But let us note the words of 1 Peter 1: "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for the obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." (vs. 2)
We are, as the Lord says, "people of the truth." (John 18) he said: "I came into this world to bear witness to the truth; Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." (vs. 37) In other words, there is direct link between his person; and the truth. And to be one of his people; on of the kingdom is to be one of the light and one of the truth. It is only because of what He has done that one can be of the truth.
