I deliberately chose an honest, challenging question asked of Jesus by Pilate as the Savior stood before him. It’s a good question: “What is truth?” It’s a question Jesus didn’t answer. As Pilate turned and said to the ravenous crowd, “I find no fault in this man,” Jesus didn’t interrupt and say, “Wait! Wait! I have an answer! I can tell you what truth is!” It is curious that there is no answer.
It plagues humanity this question of what truth is. There are searches and pilgrimages made to get at the truth. Philosophy majors will tell you that truth is either subjective or objective. Some will say there is no objective truth only subjective truth, that is the definition of truth can change over time, culture and context. Is that true?
Jesus said, “I am the truth.” Is that the answer? It’s a good canned answer that many of my Christian brothers and sisters will often give in this situation, but does it answer, first of all, what truth is and, secondly, whether it is subjective or not? Christians will state the truth that Jesus is the Savior. I for one would agree with that statement. But there are around 5.5 billion or more people out there who would question that. There are probably at least another billion people who existed before we did some of whom would also question whether Christ is the Savior. Does that allow a kernel of subjectivity to suddenly enter in?
Truth is slippery at best. Intuitively, we know it exists, but much like trying to draw a summer breeze, it is difficult to describe. Scripture tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who will guide us, lead us in all truth. It is this ethereal nature of truth that makes it more a matter of faith than science. It must be given to us, not obtained. We must question and search for it.
Speaking of science and truth, who leads the scientist to discovery? The very nature of humankind is to be curious of our surroundings. It has always been that way. If gravity, for example, is a an objective, absolute truth, that is it does not change over time, culture, and context, why were we so curious to discover that? Why did Galileo and Newton even care? Why do we even care about knowing more?
We are constantly, all everywhere, curious about our surroundings. Why do the seasons change? Why are they virtually opposite from Northern Hemisphere to Southern Hemisphere? In that regard, is it better to spend Christmas on the beaches the the Gold Coast or have a “white Christmas”? Why do tulips lie dormant during the winter and blaze beautiful in the spring? Why does a combustion engine work and why does it seem to work best using fossil fuels? Why am I asking why?
It is given to us to follow the one who is leading us to the truth. It is a journey. Sometimes we get things right and other times not so much. Here is a simple guideline for deciding truth: Truth is only objective and absolute. If it isn’t, it isn’t truth. For example, it was once believed as truth that the negro (yes, I am deliberately using an ancient word to highlight my point) was not capable of much more than manual labor because of having a less developed brain. Today we are more Jeffersonian, and just plain more aware, that “all men are created equal.” We no longer believe the former truth that the sun revolves around the earth or the former truth that Columbus was going to sail off the edge of the world. They were never true and as such could never be considered truth. the nonsense of “it’s true for you or me” is hogwash. If it is not true at all times in all cultures and contexts it is not truth.
So feel free to start asking the questions that are burning in your heart. Start searching and testing “truths.” There is One who is guiding you. Question everything: God, church, life, job, purpose. You cannot satisfy your soul if you are not questioning and searching, and that’s the truth.
