Does truth matter?
This question leads to general agreement, for most people believe that truth is important, it does matter. However, there is little agreement when one asks “What is truth?” Even when we narrow this discussion to those who confess Christian faith, it seems like there is little unity on the answer to this question.
It seems to me that one of the contributing factors in the diversity of answers to the question, “What is truth?” is that the role of scripture has changed. More and more it seems to me that scripture has less value in the pursuit of truth. Values within our culture have been placed above scripture. Individual experience and personal feelings hold more sway than the Word of God. Often one hears, in conversations about faith, appeals to “my truth” as the ultimate source of authority on almost any subject.
In this way, scripture is often devalued in matters of faith and excused as an ancient cultural value system that is no longer relevant to our times. Or it is set aside as just “one man’s truth” which has little or no value when stacked up against my own personal beliefs.
It is certainly not a new trend to devalue the Word of God and to place it under our own value system. Jesus noted that the Jews were less than welcoming of the prophets whom God had sent to deliver truth (Mat. 23:37). Paul gives thanks to the church in Thessalonica that they received the Word of God from him and accepted it as not “human” word but God’s Word. And this was so, even though some “who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets” had also brought suffering to the followers of the Word. (I Thess. 2:13-16)
On some level, our dedication to the truth delivered by the inspired apostles will always create tension with the cultural values of the day, even the values of the religious world.
In fact, as we evaluate the relationship of scripture to truth, we find that the scriptures leaves little doubt about what the Saints should value when it comes to truth. The apostle Paul beautifully expresses this in 1 Tim. 3:16-17 when he wrote: “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
If I elevate my feelings or values above scripture, am I not saying that I possess more truth than God? How can a holy God shape me and mold me if I devalue his Word and refuse His divine rebuke, correction, and training?
To those who had received this precious faith, Peter wrote,
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1: 3-4)
What allowed the Saints to participate in God’s divine nature was their knowledge of God, as over against the corruption of their individual desires. It was their willingness to be firmly established in the truth (delivered by the apostles) that allowed them to overcome their sinful selves. Peter establishes the priority of the message delivered by the apostles with this encouragement:
“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophesy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophesy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (II Peter 1:19-21)
So, while our personal desires are corruptible, and other teachers may teach false things, Peter holds scripture to be infallible, meaning there is no error in it. The scriptures are correct. First and foremost, God is the author of scripture. While it is true that God used men in the process of delivering his Word, we understand that it is ultimately God who is truth itself, and is the author of scripture.
Not only did God’s word exercise authority over individual beliefs and feelings, this was also true of congregations.
When John wrote the Revelation, he delivered a message from Christ to the churches. Part of his message called out both beliefs and behaviors that needed to change. Entire churches were called to repent. It seems clear that some of those churches (or Saints) were willing to add to the Word of God, or take away from it what they did not like. (Rev. 22:18-19) The Prophet warned them of the consequence of adding or taking away with a strong warning—their spiritual lives were dependent on believing the truth of the prophesy.
This is readily seen when Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. He addressed many personal and congregational issues. So for example, in Chapters 12-14 he discussed the use of spiritual gifts in the assembly. And after giving instructions he adds this warning—”Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.” (I Cor. 14:36-38)
Church history traces the human practice of elevating personal beliefs, values and preferences above the Word of God. It is treated as if it is below us instead of above us. Perhaps most telling is the fact that these Biblical warnings were not given to those outside of the church but to the community of faith.
May we heed the warning! May we always hold as precious – the wonderful revelation of God to his Church, the Scripture. May we accept it for what it is… God-breathed and the standard by which we will one day be judged. May it enrich our souls as we are taught, corrected, rebuked and trained by His wisdom.
Regina, SK