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This edition of The Bottom Line features an excerpt from the Worldview handbook by Katherine Gallagher, based on the teachings of Dennis Peacocke.
Katherine Gallagher serves as the Executive Director of GoStrategic. She is a former small-business owner who works with several local non-profits as a consultant and advisor. She is also an author and has made numerous radio, podcast, and television appearances, having begun her speaking career in her teens with abstinence-based sex education in schools. With a passion for truth and a heart for people, she continues to speak on such topics as relationships, marriage, worldview, leadership, and personal growth from a core level. Katherine holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Azusa Pacific University and resides in Santa Rosa, California with her husband and two children.
“What is Truth?”
Truth is a hot topic in society, and the idea that each person has their “own truth” is widespread. What we believe about the nature of truth affects every aspect of life, including how we view reality, our paradigms, our decision making, lifestyle, and actions.
Culture is created by humans, based on their actions and inactions, stemming from their beliefs about what is true. Therefore, the nature of truth is paramount to culture and how we view it!
Key questions regarding the nature of truth:
- Is truth relevant or absolute?
- Is truth conceptual or relational?
- How do we reconcile ourselves to the truth?
Can we each have our own truths? The answer is no. We can all have opinions, experiences, viewpoints, and beliefs that are personal to us, and these are all valid in belonging to us. However, if everyone’s perspective is true, then universal truth does not exist.
Your perspective changes your capacity to comprehend truth. —Dennis Peacocke
The Bible begins with the story of the two trees in the garden: The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life (Genesis 1-3). Debates around truth can often be traced back to the mindset of these two trees. From which tree does truth come?
If we believe truth is relative, then life cannot have absolutes and lifestyle does not necessarily have boundaries. Due to lack of clarity, a culture without absolute truth ultimately results in chaos.
As Christians, we believe truth is absolute and revealed to us in the Scriptures. It is both conceptual (in principles) and relational (as embodied in Jesus Christ); truth is, therefore, a concrete concept AND a person who can be known!
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” —John 14:6
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” —John 18:37
These scriptures give us the blueprint for discovering truth: It comes directly through God. In fact, the whole purpose of Jesus’ existence on earth was to reveal the truth of who He is and who we are in relation to Him: He is sovereign, and we are sinners in need of a Savior.
God gives us free will so we can choose whether or not to believe what He says about Himself and about us; however, to reject truth is to live a lie. That may sound like a harsh statement if our ideas and opinions don’t line up with the truth of God’s Word. No one wants to believe they are living a lie. However, as we’ve seen in this lesson, living apart from truth produces chaos and deception. Real truth can be tested; it will prove to work (hold up to scrutiny) and be consistent (unchanging).
Truth’s validity is not contingent upon our agreement. As such, truth applies to all people, jurisdictions, and areas of life, regardless of whether we recognize or believe it.
Truth is revealed through the Scripture, through Christ, and through people God brings into our lives. Our feelings are relevant, but that doesn’t mean they are in line with the truth. Ultimate truth is objective and applies regardless of our belief in it or feelings about it. How often are we tempted to reject truth because it clashes with our underlying beliefs or feelings? We must ask ourselves, “What truth am I living by: my truth or the truth?” Ultimate fulfillment and health come through knowing Christ and fully accepting the truth embodied in Him. And that is…
THE BOTTOM LINE.
This month’s Bottom Line is excerpted from Chapter 7 of the book, Worldview: A Handbook for Biblical Thinking and Lifestyle, available for purchase below. View Book Sample | Free Bible App Plan
Audio/video lessons that correspond to the chapters, each 20-30 minutes long and ideal for use in small-group studies, are also available for immediate download via the links below. View Video Preview
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