Truth

The question "what is truth?" begs to be answered. Down through the ages people of intellect have asked this difficult question. Even though the concept of truth, during the time of the ancient philosophers, was not yet fully developed, they began to develop a well-articulated philosophy for life. Their philosophies usually centered on goodness, excellence, and virtue. All these concepts are worthy but come short of fully embracing or understanding truth. Even now in the twenty first century, there are aspects of truth we do not fully understand. We can however, know the foundation of truth and develop a philosophy of life based on that sure foundation. Every healthy relationship rests on the platform of trust. The only place that that platform can rest is on the bedrock of truth. We will now examine what we can know about truth and its affect on spiritual formation.

To understand truth, we need to understand that it is a foundational concept affecting the way we believe. Aristotle wrote, "... beliefs are divided up into true and false, not into good or bad, but decisions are divided into good and bad, more than into true or false."¹ What he was saying is that our actions based on our decisions are either good or bad. We might also add, either wise or unwise. However, we base our beliefs on what is true or false. Our beliefs ultimately affect our decisions and therefore affect our actions. It is therefore imperative for the person of conscience to find truth and embrace it.

From the earliest times, people have tried to understand the foundational principles of existence. It is very interesting to note that the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad searched for the "absolute ground of all being". "One of the central philosophical tenets of the Upanishad is that there is a single, unifying principle underlying the entire ^{universe."nce">2 Even though they did not understand this "unifying principle", they understood it to be there. Truth is that foundational principle that connects all reality with non-reality and the metaphysical.}

Philosophers are keenly interested in finding and knowing truth. By searching out fundamental ideas, they get at the core issues. "Fundamental ideas are found in the diverse areas as religion and science. So what is it about fundamental ideas that invite philosophical interest? The answer is their meaning, truth and interrelatedness. Now philosophy's basic concern is with truth, which for our purposes may be characterized as a belief about the nature or existence of something, supported by the best reasons."³ This understanding of truth from a philosophical perspective is adequate in some measure but it is still lacking the weight that makes it foundational. Truth is more than a "belief supported by the best reasons." It is primary to all existence, whether we understand or believe it. Truth is the essence of existence boiled down to its purest form.

The Bible affirms that Jesus, The Christ, is the embodiment of this foundational essence. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life...."⁴. There are few who understand the meaning of that simple phrase, "I am the Truth". What he is saying is that what is foundational, what is not false, what is eternal, is complete in Him and in Him alone. He is Primary.

For the Christian engaged in the process of spiritual formation, seeking, finding and applying the truth to every area of life is of primary importance. The question that often arises is; will we embrace the revealed truth? Truth is often times painful. We need the help of God through the Holy Spirit to help us be courageous enough to accept the truth and take the necessary actions to apply it. God has also given us the Holy Spirit as our teacher, a sort of down payment of Truth so that the foundational essence of all existence abides within us. "You, O my God, had taught me in secret and marvelous ways. That it was you who taught me, I believe: for it is the truth and there is no other teacher of truth save you, no matter where or when it may happen to shine."⁵ In this quote, Augustine affirms that the Holy Spirit is our teacher but he says even more. He affirms that truth is truth. "...no matter where or when it may happen to shine." That, which is primary, which is foundational, permeates the scope of humanity and human existence. We should not be surprised that other religions, even non-religions and science have discovered truth. Of course, truth permeates all that is. It would be ludicrous to believe that the Christian community has a corner on truth. We however need to be very careful at this point because many times we only find a "piece of truth"⁶. This is most dangerous indeed, for a partial truth can damn us just as surely as if it were a lie. Some have believed that there is no God and therefore they have to come up with their own system for foundational principles. "Sartre reportedly insists that the only foundation for values lies in our own choices."⁷ This view is inferior to the concept of the foundational principle of truth because the concept of choice is affected by every whim and pressure that life presents. There is no continuity in personal choice except the regularity of having to continue to make choices, good or bad. Basing one's life on choices is as fickle as trying to live by the daily weather forecast, sometimes sunny and sometimes stormy, never consistent. However, to base one's life and existence on the very foundation that permeates all of life and existence brings purpose, fulfillment and peace. Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."⁸

It has been determined that truth is the essence of existence boiled down to its purest form and that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of that essence. If we seek the truth and embrace it, we are literally embracing the primary source of life, God himself. We can only fully live when we are brave enough to let go of the false and embrace the truth as revealed in Christ. This is a life of discovery, which finds new adventures on every curve of the road. The life in pursuit of truth is a life in pursuit of God. "Lord, give us weak eyes for the things of little worth, and eyes clear-sighted in all of your truth"⁹

¹ Terrence Irwin, Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1999, p.59.
² Lesley Stevenson, David L. Haberman, Ten Theories Of Human Nature, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, p.28.
³ Mark B. Woodhouse, A Preface To Philosophy/Eighth Edition, Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006, p. 4.
⁴ The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, John 14:6, Nashville: Thompson Nielson, 1996, ©1998. ⁵ F.J Sheed, Augustine, Confessions, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1943, p.74. ⁶ Friedrich Nietzsche, On The Genealogy Of Morality, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1998, P.31 ⁷ Lesley Stevenson, David L. Haberman, Ten Theories Of Human Nature, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, p.181. ⁸ The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, John 8:32, Nashville: Thompson Nielson, 1996, c1998. ⁹ Howard V. Hong, Edna H. Hong, Soren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980, p.3.

---

Bibliography

Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thompson Nelson, 1996, ©1998
Hong, Howard V., Hong, Edna H., Soren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980.
Irwin, Terrence, Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1999.
Nietzsche, Friedrich, On The Genealogy Of Morality, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1998
Sheed, F.J., Augustine, Confessions, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1943.
Stevenson, Lesley. Haberman, David L. Ten Theories Of Human Nature, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Woodhouse, Mark B. A Preface To Philosophy/Eighth Edition, Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Next >