April 2 - Truth Decay

Truth Decay

You don’t have to look to far to find that we live in a world where truth is argued to be relative or gray.  In fact, over and over again, we have been exposed to propaganda that the most important “truth” is tolerance of different views.  This ultimately leads to the argument that no truth is more important than another and all roads lead to the same mountain.  Robert Bork said, “Intellect loses its virtue when it ceases to seek truth and turns to the pursuit of political ends.”  You’ll see it preached around the clock on sitcoms, political stages, radio waves, movies, magazines, and more.  There are even subtle innuendoes that churches don’t have the right to distinguish the difference if it contradicts society’s message.

           

Now understand, the heart of the gospel is God’s love for every man and woman and the ultimate value He places on people of every type, shape, size, race, and gender.  Make no bones about it, John 3:16 settled that issue once and for all.  Every Christian should demonstrate that same belief through his word and actions.  But where we begin to drift is when we move to the place where we consider that what God did through Christ is no different than any other religion including Islam, Humanism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or New Age.  Some argue, “I see no big distinction.”  But there is. 

           

In his book, “Truth Decay,” Douglas Groothus writes, “Truth Decay” is a cultural condition in which the very idea of absolute, objective and universal truth is considered implausible, held in open contempt or not even seriously considered.  The reasons for truth decay are both philosophical and sociological, rooted in the intellectual world of ideas as well as the cultural world of everyday experience.  These two worlds reinforce one another.  Postmodern culture – with its increasing pluralism, relativism, information overload, heightened mobility, identity confusions, consumerism and so forth – makes postmodernist philosophy seem more plausible.”  The truth itself does not decay.  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word or our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)  Likewise, Jesus affirmed that “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  (Matthew 24:35)

           

In his book, “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis reveals this idea where the senior demon, Screwtape, instructs a lower-ranking demon, Wormwood, in the art of deception.  His insights are a warning of things to come.  Instead of using logical arguments to keep someone from following Christ, Wormwood is advised to keep the Christian’s mind off the very idea of sound reasoning, leading to true conclusions.  After all, Screwtape says, “Your man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to have a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together inside his head.  He doesn’t think of doctrines as primarily “true” or “false,” but as “academic” or “practical,” “outworn” or “contemporary,” “conventional,” or “ruthless.” “Jargon,” not “argument,” is your best ally in keeping him from the Church.  He continues by saying that being concerned with “real life,” meaning the unreflective immersion in the immediate, is far safer – to keep man under control.  But just don’t think too much about what “real” actually means. 

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 23:23, “Buy the truth and do not sell it.”   Wise words from a wise man to anyone who is wise enough to grasp it.

Consider reading the Word today:

 

 Terry Risser

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