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Pontius Pilate asked our Lord the question of our title (John 18:38). Perhaps we will never know whether Pilate was sincere or sarcastic. However, there is no excuse for anyone who has read the New Testament to have any doubt whatsoever that Jesus recognized the existence of absolute, objective, immutable spiritual Truth. Neither is there any doubt about its identity: “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
The prevalent human philosophies have for some time denied the existence of objective truth in any realm (not only in religion). By their dictum, all things are relative (except, we assume, their dictum that all things are relative, of course). It is a matter of great concern to lovers of Truth when brethren become infected with such relativistic and atheistic philosophies and begin spewing their doubts from pen and pulpit upon trusting brethren. A case in point is the following quotation from one of the young liberals among us on the subject of “Truth” (edited for lack of space). Seldom have I seen so large a number of egregious errors in so small a space:
Truth is resilient…. Truth does not confine. Truth does not call us to violate our hearts. Truth does not crush spirits…. Most of all, truth never holds up a “stop sign” to inquiry…. Truth gives birth to new ideas…. Innovation is the child of truth…. Truth is not to be feared, but enthusiastically embraced, no matter where it carries us….
Is God’s Word “resilient” (pliable, flexible, alterable, elastic, etc.)? This brother believes we can make of the Truth whatever we want to, but the Holy Spirit consistently warns us against any alteration (Gal. 1:6–9; Rev. 22:18–19; et al.). Truth does confine. It both includes and excludes. We are not Jesus’ disciples if we are not confined by His Word, the Truth (John 8:31–32; cf. 1 Pet. 1:22).
To say that “Truth does not call us to violate our hearts” is blatant subjectivism and abject emotionalism (a trademark of Pentecostalism). Truth does sometimes “crush,” as the scribes and Pharisees, Ananias and Sapphira, Elymas the sorcerer, and a host of others involved in evil and false doctrine could testify. The people on Pentecost were “crushed” by the Truth, causing them to ask what to do to be saved (Acts 2:37).
The aim of these false statements about Truth is to promote “new ideas,” “change,” and “innovation.” By his view of Truth, we can change, add, subtract, and alter the Word of God at will because it is “resilient.” This fellow belongs on a state university philosophy faculty rather than in a pulpit, masquerading as a Gospel preacher.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Lighthouse, weekly bulletin of Northpoint Church of Christ, Denton, TX, April 18, 2010, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
