Straightway2

WHAT IS TRUTH?

Truth is defined by Webster as:

(1) the state of being the case
(2) FACT
(3) the body of real things, events and facts

Well, how do we know if some thing, event or fact is real or true? There are essentially two ways. First off, if we have compelling empirical evidence. The source of this evidence is our senses and reasoning faculties. We know the length of an object by measuring it, the scent of food by smelling it, the answer to a mathematical problem by figuring it out. You probably know that the Busch, Livingston, Douglass, College Ave. and Cook campuses of Rutgers University exist because you have compelling empirical evidence that you personally have compiled.

Secondly, an event, thing or fact can be accepted as true based on the credibility of reliable sources. For instance I know that the Eiffel Tower is in Paris France even though I have never seen it for myself. The reason why I know this is true is because many credible sources have told me that this is true. We know many things, events and facts this way, whether it be the 16th President of the US or the birthdate of our parents (have you ever seen their birth certificate?).

Now let’s talk about spiritual things like the soul of man, heaven, hell, God, Jesus, Satan, etc. Certainly we can know some spiritual truth empirically. For instance, we can observe the universe, the human body, botany, etc. and can reason that these highly complex creations must have a creator. This is true. But to know the truth about the qualities, personality, intentions, etc. of this Creator, we need a credible source of information. That’s where the Bible comes in. The Bible has impeccable credibility (http://www.ruforchrist.com/BibleStuff/Is_the_bible_reliable.htm).

Its internal consistency, external consistency with science, history, archaelogy, etc., and prophetic reliability have all stood the test of time. It has the signature of Almight God all over it. Even though the Bible has been the most maligned book of all time, it’s credibility has survived all attacks and remains the reference standard for all spiritual doctrine in our universe. Because of its reliability and the reliability if its Author, we can determine the verity of any other source of professed spiritual truth. Since Satan is a master deceiver, God saw fit to equip us with such a reference standard so that we could discern truth form error.

The Bible teaches us that both The Word of God and Jesus are truth
John 14:6 Jesus = truth
John 17:17 Word= truth
John 1:1 Jesus = Word

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.