In
Isaiah 59:14, the prophet spoke during one bleak period in Israel’s history of
rebellion against the authority of God in terms in terms of violating the
concept of truth by mourning, “Truth is
fallen in the public square.”
Although the Bible doesn’t define truth, it everywhere employs that
concept in a manner consistent with Aristotle’s views that: 1) truth is an assertion of fact which in fact harmonizes with the state of
affairs that it describes, and 2) truth is a concept which one is obligated to
obey.
Nevertheless, the absence of truth
that Isaiah bemoaned was (and is) limited in scope. Truth has in actual fact NOT fallen in either
heaven or God’s creation. In addition to
the truthful character of His own Being, He has also instilled order into his creation
both morally and ontologically.[4] Nevertheless, whatever we do in defiance of his will results in chaos in our every
interaction with it. It is out of God’s
love that He designed us to live in harmony with His will. Just as symphonic orchestra players must
follow their conductor to produce beautiful music together, so we are called to
be reconciled to our Maker and Redeemer through His Son Jesus Christ. God invites each and every person to turn away
from our independence from Him, and take
the step of receiving His salvation and forgiveness (2 Cor. 5:17-6:2). It by this course alone the He can set us into both a harmonious relationship with Himself
and restore us into a functional relationship with His created order. Yet this is also the only means to know harmony with God’s creation and redemption, both
individually and across society. I fully
acknowledge that my forthcoming conclusion may broadly be received with
ridicule. Yet in fact, the present
course of our culture yields no indication that it is progressing toward the better. Nothing less then is called for than turning
from our present course and participating together in Christian salvation and reformation.
[1] Former atheist Antony Flew employs Plato’s words to
describe his journey into deism in his book, There is a God. (Harper
2007), p. 56 .
[2] See my pamphlet, “His Prints are Everywhere!” Op.cit.
(19).
[3] The Greek word designating the creator in this passage
is logos, from which our word “logic” (and rationality) is employed.
[4] Ontology is a branch of knowledge which considers the
very nature of existence in all its material aspects.
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