There’s a lot of pushback right now on the idea of objective truth. Objective truth has become offensive to a world who believes that there’s no hope, no God, no purpose, and that meaning can only be found in inventing useful lies for ourselves to get us through this miserable thing we call life.
They’ll say, “who are you to say that he’s wrong? What he believes is getting him through the day and providing meaning for his life!”
Jesus’s opinion on the subject of truth was that there was objective truth, and that anyone who fell short of believing that one truth was deceived and wrong. That truth could not be fabricated or invented by an individual, But was only found by asking, seeking and knocking.
“You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” Matthew 22
“Jesus, you can’t say that! The Pharisees found a way to interpret the Bible that gives their lives meaning! Aren’t they allowed to read the scriptures however best helps them make sense of the world?”
Jesus was always correcting the Pharisee’s understanding of the Bible. He repeatedly said, “You’re wrong. This is the correct interpretation.”
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8
“Jesus, you can’t claim to be the ultimate dispenser of *the only truth*!
Jesus prayed this over His disciples:
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17
THE Truth. Jesus makes explicit, exclusive claims on the truth itself. And how did Jesus say you’d find “the truth?”
In the Word of God.
The text is authoritative over us, not the other way around. We don’t get to judge the words of God. We don’t get to make our own truth.
It’s up to us to study, and show ourselves approved, rightly dividing His words of truth. It’s up to us to listen and learn and find out what the Holy Spirit is saying through the Bible.
The individual is not the final arbiter on truth. Truth is outside of ourselves, and it’s up to us to seek it out.
Will we be honest seekers of truth?