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The Gospel of John narrates a dialogue between Jesus and Pontius Pilate shortly before Jesus is sentenced to be crucified. Pilate comes across as impatient with the proceedings and perplexed by the answers that result from his questioning. As he tries to get Jesus to confess a claim to be king, and thus guilty of insurrection against Roman rule, Jesus instead replies he has come into the world to “testify to the truth.” Pilate’s response to a gruff question, while seeming more dismissive than sincere, has echoed across the ages:
What is truth?
The Search for Truth Across Cultures
Thinkers across millennia of diverse cultures and societies, religions, and philosophies have grappled with the nature of truth. Seeking truth’s definition means understanding truth’s significance and integrating the understanding of truth into daily life.
Is truth an objective reality that exists independently of our perception? Or might it be a subjective construct we create to make sense of the world around us?
In Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, truth is often associated with the search for inner wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. The concept of dharma, or righteous duty, underscores the importance of living in accordance with truth and moral principles. In Taoism, truth and reality are both contained in the word zhen, being the source of all that exists.
In the Western world, the philosophical exploration of truth has been a cornerstone of intellectual thought for centuries. Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle contemplated truth as an abstract concept, striving to discern its essence and implications for human existence. For Plato, truth was transcendent, the pure essence of reality, and therefore absolute. For Aristotle, truth and reality had to be in accord.
In the present day, some might argue we have entered a “post-truth era” in which alleged truth is merely a matter of political preference, as clashing sides battle over “fake news” and “alternative facts.” People might speak of “their” truth being as valid as another’s “truth,” insisting truth is relative and rejecting any claim to “absolute” truth.
Jesus proclaimed he was “the way, the truth, and the life.” For many contemporary Christians, being witnesses to the truth remains a rallying cry in pluralistic and secular societies in which the meaning of truth is debated and sometimes rejected.
In the following sections, this article will explore different definitions of truth and perspectives on how it may be known before concluding with the place of truth in Christian belief and practice.
Defining Truth: Philosophical Perspectives
Simply stated, a statement, belief, or feeling is considered to be “true” if it matches up with reality in some way. But what does this mean, exactly? Eminent American philosopher Richard Rorty suggests that truth is not about discovering what is out there, but rather, it is about finding what works for us as a society. This represents one perspective, subjective truth, where each individual’s perception defines their version of reality. Personal experience and perspective are raised to the level of truth.
On the other hand, as with Aristotle, many philosophers argue that truth corresponds with objective reality or states of affairs in the world. This view subscribes to common sense intuition; if something aligns with actual events or facts outside of our minds (like mathematical languages accurately describing natural phenomena), then it is true.
However, philosophical understandings of truth are not neatly divided into either an objective truth view or a subjective truth view. Concepts of truthfulness integrate two major issues in philosophy: ontology, or the nature of what is real, and epistemology, or how we happen to know what is real. Over time, thinkers have actually developed several different theories of truth.
The correspondence theory of truth originates from Aristotle’s Metaphysics and holds that a statement or belief is true because it corresponds to what is actual or “the way things are.” In the early 20th century, Bertrand Russell claimed that true propositions mirror facts about reality.
- According to this theory, belief in the resurrection of Jesus may be considered true if it is the case that Jesus actually came back to life on the first Easter morning two millennia ago.
The coherence theory of truth suggests that a statement is true because it coheres or fits well with a set of other beliefs already considered true. Coherence does not necessarily equate to “absolute truth” because someone with a different framework of established beliefs would reach a different conclusion.
- According to the coherence theory, “Jesus rose from the dead” is a true statement because it coheres with other statements that a person has already accepted as true, such as “God exists” and “The tomb was found empty.”
The pragmatic theory of truth argues that a belief may be considered as true if it is useful when put into practice or has beneficial consequences for an individual or society. The pragmatic theory emerged in American philosophical thought at the turn of the 20th century, initiated by Charles Sanders Peirce and later developed by William James.
- Within the pragmatic theory, the claim that Jesus rose from the dead is true in the sense that belief in the resurrection positively transforms the life of the person who affirms it.
Postmodern or constructivist theories of truth, which emerged in the later 20th century, contend that truth or knowledge is relative to one’s contingent circumstances—culture, language, race, gender, etcetera. Postmodern “truth” cannot be taken as universal. This is the most “subjective” understanding of truth because it argues for the impossibility of discerning absolute truth apart from the biological and cultural limitations that frame a person’s search.
- In a postmodern view, the resurrection of Jesus is a “truth” that makes sense within Christian faith and practice but is irrelevant or meaningless for non-Christians.
Seeking Truth: Scientific Approaches
In the sciences, truth is often pursued through the lens of empiricism or the use of evidence derived through sensory observation. This aspect of truth-seeking is fundamental in science, where truth claims are defended on the basis of observable and measurable phenomena. The empiricist relies not on personal feelings or subjective beliefs but on what is tangible and quantifiable.
A cornerstone among methods used by scientists to determine facts is experimentation and systematic observation. These scientific methodologies provide a structured path toward understanding the objective reality around us beyond our own individual perceptions.
However, even in this quest for empirical truth, challenges abound. Errors can creep into experimental processes, or observations might be tainted by human bias. Furthermore, empirical evidence does not always unveil the entire nature of truth as some aspects may remain hidden from sensory perception.
Moreover, scientific “truth” is subject to constant change as new evidence emerges or old theories are revised. Science is an ongoing quest rather than a repository for absolute truths.
Psychology and Truth: Avoiding Missteps
Psychology also plays a pivotal role in the quest for truth, particularly by scrutinizing the cognitive processes that underpin our thinking.
Perception is our sensory gateway to reality. Perception is the mechanism through which we experience the world around us and forms our subjective truth. Memory archives these perceptions, retaining imprints of past experiences that shape how we interpret present situations and predict future outcomes. Attention regulates this complex interplay between perception and memory by determining what information gets processed further into conscious awareness. Attention serves as a gatekeeper, allowing access only to certain information.
Psychologists have shown how our perception, memory, and attention can all be distorted by certain cognitive biases or errors. Biases can result from previous exposures or experiences affecting present judgments. Heuristics mental shortcuts, allow for quick decision-making but also introduce errors as they oversimplify complex matters. The halo effect, for example, causes a positive impression in one area to lead us to presume positivity elsewhere, even if it is unwarranted. The halo effect might convince us that if someone is a true friend, they can do no wrong.
These biases and errors often lead us to accept partial truths or relative truths rather than the whole truth. Consider confirmation bias, a cognitive blind spot that inclines us to favor information reinforcing our existing beliefs while rejecting opposing notions. Confirmation bias can prevent us from seeing every side of the truth.
Cognitive dissonance, a concept proposed by Leon Festinger in 1957, refers to the mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs simultaneously. This discomfort acts as a catalyst for change as humans strive for inner consistency or coherence within their belief system. Cognitive dissonance explains why people might choose ignorance over acceptance of an uncomfortable truth.
Truth in Society: Law, Justice, and Fairness
The criminal justice system, government, and journalistic media function best when people believe that truth is valued highly and pursued fairly. Conflict arises when such institutions appear to express a bias toward preferred classes, races, or viewpoints.
Evidence plays a pivotal role in determining guilt or innocence in criminal trials or ruling on disputes in civil cases. Trials serve as a conduit through which facts are distilled into an objective or at least an agreed truth, as defined by our societal understanding of fairness and equity. From eyewitness accounts to forensic data, every piece of evidence offers a fragment of reality that aids in constructing what is hoped to be an accurate depiction of states of affairs.
Journalists also have a traditional ethical responsibility, with a role that extends beyond simply reporting events. How the news is presented shapes social perceptions of truth.
When the media falls prey to biases or propagandistic pressures, it wields the power to distort rather than illuminate the truth. As the ancient proverb wisely states: “A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful” (Proverbs 14:25 ESV). Consequently, journalistic integrity becomes a crucial aspect of the search for truth within society.
The Significance of Truth in Christian Faith
Historically, Christian theologians and philosophers, as the classical Greek philosophers before them, have advocated the correspondence theory of truth. It is likely that most ordinary Christians think of truth in this way as well, though they may not have a name for it. The correspondence theory of truth is often defended by many present-day Christian scholars as crucial to faith, However, some Christian thinkers believe alternate theories of truth can serve the advancement of the gospel in an era of competing ideologies and philosophies.
For almost all Christians, truth is not merely an abstract or intellectual concept; it is a foundational element of faith. At the heart of Christian belief lies the conviction that truth is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Truth encompasses not only the realm of factual accuracy but also the domains of integrity, authenticity, and fidelity. In the Christian context, truth is a call to live in accordance with God’s divine plan, to be authentic in one’s beliefs and actions, and to remain steadfast in fidelity to God’s word.
Central to the Christian understanding of truth is the belief that God is the ultimate source and measure of truth. Jesus Christ is the definitive revelation of God as truth and the bringer of eternal life. This assertion carries profound theological implications. It means that the pursuit of truth in Christianity is necessarily linked to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Through his teachings, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provided a blueprint for living a life grounded in truth. His ethical teachings, parables, and interactions with people emphasized the importance of truthfulness, love, and integrity. As Christians seek to understand and live out the truth, they look to the life and teachings of Jesus as the exemplar of authentic and righteous living.
Truth as a Way of Life
Christianity considers honesty and integrity as fundamental virtues. Believers are called to emulate the truthfulness and moral character of God in all aspects of their lives. This commitment to honesty requires integrity and the authenticity of one’s character and actions.
In practical terms, Christians are to be candid and credible in their dealings, to speak honestly, and to live transparently. When Christians embody these qualities, they reflect God’s truthfulness, providing moral clarity and ethical uprightness in a world often characterized by moral ambiguity.
For Christians, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) means communicating honestly and authentically but doing so with a genuine concern for the well-being of others. It signifies a commitment to building relationships based on trust and transparency. This approach to communication acknowledges that truth is not a weapon but a means to foster understanding, reconciliation, and growth in others.
Sources of Truth
Central to the notion of truth in Christianity is the belief in the authority of the Bible. The Bible is regarded as inspired by God, complete in its revelation of God’s character and purpose, the life of Jesus, and the teachings of the Christian faith.
Christians differ among themselves about the exact nature of the Bible’s relationship to other sources of truth. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox believers understand the Bible to be a supreme aspect of an entire body of tradition that includes authoritative teachings and interpretations inspired by the Holy Spirit and passed down over time.
Protestant Christians have typically held to a view called sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”) in which the Bible is the only definitive source of religious truth. Conservative Protestants understand the Bible to be inerrant, meaning it is completely trustworthy and without error in any statements of fact. Other Protestants, as well as some Catholics and Orthodox, accept that the Bible, a complex anthology that developed over time, may contain some errors of fact or contradictions, and individual passages must be interpreted according to the overall message of Scripture and Christian theology.
Additionally, subjective or personal experience also plays a vital role in an individual’s faith journey and understanding of Christian truth. Personal experience may encompass dramatic conversions, profound feelings during worship, discernment of inner leadings, and other felt encounters with God. It is often within the realm of “subjective truth” that individuals find a deeper, more intimate understanding of the “objective truths” found in Scripture or Christian proclamation. In such experiences, faith becomes personal and experiential, moving from intellectual understanding to heartfelt conviction.
Theological Debates and The Nature of Truth
Differences in the interpretation of Scripture and Christian doctrine need not be obstacles to the pursuit of truth. The Christian tradition acknowledges that the pursuit of truth often involves grappling with complex and nuanced theological questions.
Debates over matters of doctrine or ethics can serve as opportunities for refining and clarifying not only what is believed but also what is lived as Christian truth. Theologians, scholars, and believers are encouraged to wrestle with challenging issues and seek clarity within the framework of their faith. Engaging in critical discussions and challenging one another’s perspectives help Christians to discover a deeper understanding of the truths embedded in Scripture. Such debates, far from undermining faith, contribute to its vitality.
Seeking Truth through a Relationship with God
Christianity offers an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship moves beyond an intellectual or philosophical pursuit of truth to spiritual understanding, allowing believers to seek truth in a holistic manner. Christians seek to know God intimately and to align their lives with divine truth.
Christians believe that God reveals truth through the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the scriptures as well as other material, a work that combines intellectual effort with spiritual attunement. The Spirit guides believers, convicts them of truth, and empowers them to live in accordance with God’s revealed truths.
At the core of Christian ethics lies the greatest commandment, a foundational precept that Jesus emphasized during his ministry: to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:36-40). This commandment underscores the inseparable connection between love and truth in the Christian faith.
While they may differ on philosophy or the interpretation of the Bible, Christians generally share a dynamic and transformative approach to truth. This approach invites believers to embark on a lifelong quest, anchored in faith, guided by love, and illuminated divine grace. As they navigate the complexities of the world, Christians continue to seek truth with a steadfast commitment to faithful and loving ways, reflecting the character of God, the embodiment of all truth.
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