What is true? What is truth? I have been contemplating how these two terms are related. They can either mean the same thing or not. Something can be true, but not “the truth”. True instances can support “the truth.” Or, true statements can be used to tell untruths. There is also this broad concept that there is an over-riding truth. The Greeks would have termed this the “logos;” the grand unifying true idea.
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” i 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 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. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:12-21 (NIV)
We think about some things as being true. When we apply this to the Bible we can think of various episodes in the narrative accounts. An example would be Joshua. Is the story true? This would require a few things. First, there would have to be an Israelite people invading a land that was called Canaan. Their leader would have been named Joshua. One of the first encounters of these people groups would have been in a real city named Jericho. Jericho would have had to be a walled city. There would have been a real person named Rahab who had given refuge to real people sent to spy the city. She would have actually gathered her family, tied a scarlet cord in her window, and later married an Israelite. They would have an ancestor named Jesus (yes, that Jesus). The Israelites would have marched around and around around this city. The walls would have miraculously collapsed allowing the invading force to enter the city and to conquer the people living in it. This would make it a true (that which conforms to reality) account. The Bible contains many such historical accounts. When we find archeological evidence that is consistent with he Bible narrative it supplies confirmation as to its historicity. This is very important.
This is not quite the same as conveying “the truth.” One way to bend “the truth” about a subject is to leave out necessary parts. For instance, if we related the account of spies visiting a prostitute who were subsequently lowered through a window to escape the authorities, we might have an entirely different sense of the significance of the events that took place. It is only by knowing all the necessary pieces we can see how it advances “the truth.” What truth? The truth is God has intervened on behalf of His people to give the a home and a life of flourishing. What about the Canaanites? They could have followed God also.
So why is this significant? We live in a world of information overload where it is commonplace to present only the data that supports the conclusion you are defending. This has been a very powerful tool to those who have the ear of the public. It has been used to attack God’s Word. By picking and choosing, it has become popular to try to undermine “the truth” the Bible proclaims.
The Bible contains true narratives of actual people in actual places at real times. Establishing this is a first step. It also contains “the truth.” What is this truth? It is many things, but to summarize….. God (triune in nature) created all things. He created mankind in His image. The first 2 humans were Adam and Eve who were placed in a garden and given the directive to populate and and oversee the earth. Adam and Eve failed to obey God’ one prohibition. This caused a spiritual break from God that was passed on to all future generations. Because of this evil is rampant in the heart of humans. God sent His son, Jesus (through whom all things were created) in order to repair the damage done. He did this by dying on a cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He died, was buried and rose again on the third day. After a short time He went to heaven. He then sent the Holy Spirit to indwell those who accept Jesus and savior via His sacrifice. Those who accept Him have their relationship with God repaired, they are born again to new life that is eternal, and are given the Holy Spirit. This is a “truth” worth investigating. You can start with examining some of the true accounts that support this premise.