What is truth?

"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. John 18:38 (NIV)

I received an email from a reader of this blog a while ago, in which he posed the question, I have used as the title of this post, from the verse above I guess he isn't the only one who is asking this, seems not many things have changed from 2,000 years ago! As I reflected on his question, I also asked a few friends as to what their thoughts were, I've added both his email (not exactly in the same format I received it but without changing the meaning I hope) and the responses I received duly referenced. I'll also add my own 2 cents..so this may be a very LONG one.

Hello

I couldn't help but copy what you asked not to copy even though I didn't need it. :) Human nature I guess.... Maybe its just me anyways got a question for you.

WHAT IS TRUTH?
AND HOW DO YOU ARRIVE AT IT?
SHOULD TRUTH BE UNIVERSAL, EXPERIENTIAL, ACQUIRED OR INFERRED? (CONTINUOUSLY REFINED)

I can pretty much make out that you are a christian from your blog hmm...took some brain teasing ( laugh ** :)) seriously

IS IT REVEALED?
HOW INDIVIDUAL IS IT?

Father, help me, what is truth? The simple answer is that TRUTH IS TRUTH. That's exactly what it is, if I'm telling you the truth about something , my story never changes because truth is truth. From dictionary.com, I got some definitions of truth as

1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.
8. (often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.
9. agreement with a standard or original.
10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.
11. Archaic. fidelity or constancy. (dictionary.com)

Do we arrive at truth,is it revealed and how individual is it?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". John 14:6 so Jesus is the truth.

Jesus said He is the truth, I believe this is because He SEES and KNOWS all things. You are only 100% sure of what the truth is when you can see and know all things. Remember the poem about the blind men and the elephant, it was one elephant but while their descriptions of what an elephant was could be said to be true,they all had different descriptions or truths but ONE elephant. After all, they could prove that their description was right based on the evidence before them but was their description true? No, because they couldn't see the whole picture. At the end of this story, we are told to be more tolerant of the beliefs of others because truth can be told in different ways, do I agree? Not necessarily, what about if I asked each or just one of the blind men what would be required to kill the elephant, I would have received various responses and the choice I made on what the truth was would enable me to either kill the elephant or be killed myself! Now if I asked someone who knows all things, the Creator of the elephant this question, what do you think my position would be.

In statistics (I stand to be corrected, I am not a statistician!lol!) there is something called a Type I error where we reject an answer even though it is true and a Type II where we accept an answer even though it is wrong, these errors arise from both known (systematic) and unknown or random (statistical) sources. The basic thing is that I might think that something is true based on the information (or data) that I have and make decisions based on that information but could be making a mistake because what I think is truth is not the actual truth because I don't have all the information. In taking an oath before giving evidence in court, we swear to say the truth, the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth, this is because lawyers know that sometimes leaving a phrase out of a testimony could render a true account wrong.

All your words are TRUE; all your righteous laws are eternal (Psalm 119:160)

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)


Jesus says He is the truth, the word of God is also truth, in that respect it is universal for He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Truth is acquired by revelation, it could also be acquired by experience and on that basis could be said to be individual for it is the truth that you know that sets you free. I think I will update this as we go along because I don't think enough justice has been done yet.


Jaycee

Truth is FACT. Fact comes in different ways: could be as a result of a proven experiment (scientific) or could be as a result of one's experiences. As a Christian, I look around me and I know for a fact that there has to be God because of the indescribable works behind the creation of living things (mountains, seas, oceans, trees, animals, human beings). From experience also, I have seen miracles done in my life as a result of praying to God (the Creator of the Universe)--and if there is evil (for instance in the occultic powers), then there has to be a God, and this has become my TRUTH. Truth is all of the above (universal, experiential, acquired or inferential) depending on what topic you're talking about. You can acquire truth from an instructor, and then a few years later experience it for yourself (which will then confirm all the truth previously acquired). Truth is universal but not everyone is knowledgeable about it and so some live their lives in ignorance, until maybe one day experience the truth.


AA

These are my thoughts...

Truth is absolute and does not depend on geography, race, creed, economic status or religion. However, we usually perceive the truth differently based on how some of the parameters listed above affects us.It is our perception that we refer to as revealed or individual truth. The truth is like looking at a huge multicoloured ball with us standing at different areas and seeing different colours based on our positions. The fact is that we would all be correct if we insisted that the ball is colour we could see yet the truth is that we would all be wrong because the ball is more than we could see. The truth is from the perspective of the originator not how it is perceived.

This is the reason why the bible says "Let all men be liars and God alone true". We know only in parts and so we cannot claim to truly know. The truth is based on knowledge and can only be complete when knowledge is complete.... The only one who has complete knowledge is God and so he originates the truth. However he will typically reveal the knowledge and hence the truth that is required by different parts to complete their assignment.

A good check for whatever we hold to be true is to compare it to the position of the originator because whatever is revealed can only be sampled from what already is the truth. if it doesn't align then it stands no chance of being true. Secondly the seeker of truth must first seek to know its originator cos it is in the knowledge of the originator that you are able to tell if what you know as truth can truly emanate from the originator and hence really classify what you know as truth.

I hope i made some sense.

So D.S, thank you so much for your email. I don't know if your question has been answered but please this discussion is open to all for their 2 cents.

Remain blessed and highly favoured.

Where are you?

But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:9 (NIV)

When God asks a question, believe me when I say He knows the answer already. When God asked this question, it wasn't so much a geographical question as it was a positional one. Adam, where are you? You, the epitome of my creation, where are you? You, I fashioned from the dust of the ground and breathed my very own Spirit in you, where are you? You, who I gave the job to care and tend this garden, where are you? Have you fallen into the devil's deception?

Believer where are you? Are you standing in the purpose I designed you for? Are you walking in love? Where are you? Standing on the Word of God or drowning in the devil's deception when he tells you there is no way out. Where are you my daughter, are you ready for the battle, dressed in your armour or are you playing ten ten in the field oblivious to the forces of the enemy gathering to attack. My daughter, remember who you are, remember whose you are and act accordingly..Selah.

To be continued...

I am confident

I am confident
Said the grain
as it was buried deep inside the soil
that although I die alone today
as the rain falls
and the sun shines
I shall resurrect
not one
but many

I am confident
said the flower
for though I tremble
at the thought of my crushing
I know
it shall produce a sweet perfume
that may grace the temples
of a queen or
two

I am confident
said the silver
as it was poured in the melting pot
that this heat
is for my good
and I shall patiently bear
until a pure reflection
doth the silversmith see
when he looks in me

I am confident
said Joseph
as he pondered on the journey of his life
that the dream God has given me shall come to pass
I have been in the pit and sold to slavery
and am now wrongfully put in this prison
but the Lord is with me
and will turn it around for my good

I am confident
said Believer
as she faced the storms of life
that I will get to the other side
though the winds are raging
and the waves are blowing
Jesus is captain of this boat
and I walk in supernatural peace

So I ask, where is your confidence today? In the storm you can see or in the God that you 'cannot' see but know is definitely working ALL things together for your good. Selah.

being confident of this, that he who BEGAN a GOOD WORK in you will carry it on to COMPLETION until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:6 (The Message)

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)

Renewal..

re-new verb (used with object)

1. to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
2. to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.
3. to make, say, or do again.
4. to revive; reestablish.
5. to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
6. to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.


Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will RENEW their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40 30-31 (NIV)

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:30-31 (The Message)

This morning God encouraged me through His word by reminding me that for something to get renewed, it must have existed at some point. Those who hope in the Lord will have their strength renewed; renewed because it existed at some point, to renew a passport, license, gym membership or vows, you must have had them already! Life can be draining but God has given us an assurance that if we go back to Him, the source of all strength, He will give us what we need to get back on track, run the race and be victorious.

He is the only one that can renew vision, purpose, relationships and strength. Talk to Him today, be honest about how you feel and ask Him for the ability to do what you are finding it difficult to do and go in faith and do it. A lot of relationships end not so much because of what was done but for the little things that were not done, the things that renew the relationship. Do you need to renew your relationship with the Father today? His arms are always open.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. This is our month of LAUGHTER and I know the Lord will give you a reason to rejoice in Jesus name.

The Invitation

The invitation came in the mail
and addressed me by name
it had a royal seal
The King of Kings
and Lord of Lords
requests your presence
at his banquet

I searched my wardrobe
I must look my best
I adorned my righteousness
polished my good works
and sprayed on some self-confidence
I looked pretty good
or so I thought

I stepped into the grand hall
It was so full of light
I tried to smoothen my gown
Alas, I realised that
I was clothed in rags
Hearing the footsteps of the king
I must hide
Tears began to fall
I can't see the King like this
I'm not worthy
I shouldn't be here

But He said
Come as you are
I have loved you with an everlasting love
I have drawn you to myself with loving kindness
I'll clothe you with my righteousness
Wrap you up in my forgiveness
For I have sanctified you
Take your place of honour at the table
Feast on my goodness and faithfulness

You are my daughter
A princess
I have called you,
chosen you, justified you
Continue to walk in your calling
Be holy as I am holy
You are blessed beyond measure
You shall do great things
You are blessed beyond measure
Remain in my love
This invitation is for a permanent arrangement
I love you


But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready Luke 14:16-17

As has just been said:"Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion Hebrews 3:15

Something about the sunset

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5b, NIV)

The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. (Psalm 30:5b, The Message)

Something about the sunset reminds me that almost every situation is subject to change. Only His unfailing love remains ever constant. I cry when night comes because I can't see the way out, I can't see the companion, I can't see the idea, I can't see the help, I can't see anything but no matter how dark the night gets, one thing I am certain of is that the morning is coming and with one ray of light, darkness is banished. Morning doesn't necessary come attached with an am, morning comes when I see the light and in that light I know that I know that I know that God is with me through it all and it aint over until God says so, it isn't over until I win! And win we shall, our nights of crying will give way to days of laughter in Jesus name.

.....and there was evening and there was morning... (Genesis 1:5b, NIV)