The Importance of Truth

“Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.”

Mohandas Gandhi
 

“Science is but an image of the truth.”
Francis Bacon
 

“First and last, what is demanded of genius is love of truth.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”

C. S. Lewis

 

Proverbs 23.23 
“Buy the truth and do not sell it;
       get wisdom, discipline and understanding.”

 

John 8.31-32 
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

“In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

George Orwell

 

Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918 – 2008)

Alexander Solzhenitsyn passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2008.  He was a courageous author, and a voice of moral clarity in the world, writing books like A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and The Gulag Archapelego.  These books served to unveil for the world many of the atrocities that had taken and were taking place under the repressive and oppressive communist government of the day.   In 1974, he was expelled from Russia for his writings, being labelled by many Soviets as a “traitor”. 

He was asked once about the force of his writings, to which Solzhenitsyn responded:  “The secret is that when you’ve been pitched head first into hell you just write about it.”  The world was changed because he did just that.

For an excellent tribute to the life and influence of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, check out Al Mohler’s blog.  Or, for more info, head over to Wikipedia.

Other sites with fitting tributes:

Desiring God (as only Piper can do)

Townhall.com

Summertime Reading

Since I have a little extra time on my hands, I have been able to increase my reading quotient.  In the morning when I get up, I have been reading two books as I eat breakfast.  The first is a book by Sam Storms entitled, Signs of the Spirit – an interpretive work on Jonathan Edward’s book, Religious Affections.  As you might well imagine, this is not an easy read, but it is perhaps one of the most valuable books I have read in the last 4 years about the Christian life and what true conversion looks like.  I wish I would have had the spiritual impetus in high school to read this book and then to read it periodically after that (perhaps every 6 to 8 years).  I will definitely read it again, probably as soon as I finish it… there is just so much there.  I may share some of the contents with you in future blog entries.

 

The second book is simply entitled, Bruchko.  It is the story of a 19-year-old youth who sets off on his own to minister to Stone Age Indians in South America and ends up being used by God to bring many from the Motilone Tribe into the kingdom of God.  Quite simply, my review of this book is “Wow.”  I read this book when I was in 10^th grade (many moons ago), I read it again in seminary, and now find myself wrapped up in the story, sucking every ounce of enjoyment and amazement I can from its pages before I am done with it.  It is a story like something out of the life of Paul on his journeys, or Peter preaching at Pentecost, or perhaps more closely, Jesus. 

 

Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has said, “We read biographies because worthy portraits of our fellow human beings help us to make sense of the world.”  A gentleman on Amazon.com wrote about his Christian biography list:  “I want them (his children) to know that we aren’t guaranteed a cozy American suburban existence, nor is that what Christianity is all about. I cannot easily remove them from this place and time, but I can read to them about the struggles of others to prepare them spiritually and intellectually for whatever God has in store for us.”  I find that Bruchko fits the bill nicely on both accounts. 

 

For my part, when I read Bruchko, many things stir in me, but primarily I find two realities at work.  1.  I am convicted as I read its pages.  I find myself asking, “What are you doing Trenton for the kingdom of God?”  Of course, not everyone is called to savage and violent tribes in South America – risking life and limb for the spread of Christ’s fame and the glory of His name.  I am however, called to live out the life of Christ wherever I find myself, and in the course of a day to ask myself, “Did I live in such a way that Jesus was made to look good, that people understood more of the wonder and awe of Christ?  Did I make the most of every opportunity to give the reason for the hope that I have?”  2.  I am encouraged as I read its pages.  It is an inspiring story that reminds me that God uses everyday people who are faithful to use the gifts God has given them and who listen to and obey His leading.    

 

Read them/don’t read them… that’s your decision.   I would encourage you though; read something of substance this summer.  Obviously the Bible is the best place to start.  Perhaps read one of the books you haven’t read in a while, or perhaps haven’t understood very well in the past, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into it.  After that, find at least one book that will challenge you spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, culturally, psychologically, etc (you get the picture).  And, as a personal favor to me (I used to tell my students something like this when they went to the movies or listened to music)… don’t read just for amusement.  The enemy would like nothing better than to find our brains in neutral, not really thinking but just passively accepting.  (consider for a moment the word “amuse.”  The negative “a” meaning “not” and the root word “muse” meaning “to think or ponder”).  I had a teacher that encouraged me to always try to engage myself in whatever it was that I was reading or watching.  I guess I have become like him in that regard – make it a point to find at least one thing you can “chew on” and savor.  For example, consider the worldview that is being presented, or the theological assumption that undergirds the author’s view on things like human nature, God, sin, or death.  (sorry, that’s the teacher coming out in me)  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not anti-entertainment.  I’m just not for checking one’s brains at the door. 

 

Happy reading.

 

Blessings arrive in unexpected packages

“Tony Snow, Former White House Press Secretary and FOX News Anchor, Dies at 53.”  So reads the headline on Fox News’ website.  I was impressed by this man who lived well through his ordeal with cancer, or as he called it in an essay published by Christianity Today – a blessing.  I don’t know if the link will come through from Christianity Today as it was released in July of 2007.  I encourage you to read it… I think it will do your heart good.  I have read this essay twice, once when it was released, and then yesterday as I went back and read it again. 

The Lord has a way of getting my attention when He wants to arouse my soul from its slumber and focus my attention on Him.  Even today in church, Jesus was gently probing and prodding my heart to consider that my circumstances are never a reason to doubt His goodness, but rather a prism by which to see that God is at work in multifaceted and various ways throughout my life – especially during difficult times.  Our Lord’s promise in Hebrews 13.5 - “I will never leave you nor forsake you” -  is the anvil upon which the Christian can beat into plowshares the painful and often demoralizing arrows of life. 

I’m grateful for men like Tony Snow who have their lives tied into The Anchor that holds:

“What is man that Thou art mindful of him?  We don’t know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place—in the hollow of God’s hand.”

If you have a moment today, pray for Tony’s family.  If you don’t, journey on in the hand that always holds, that never leaves nor forsakes…

A Moving Experience

My family and I have just finished moving from Mansfield, OH to Greenville, SC.  If this is my last move ever, I’m o.k. with that.  Between the sweat and tears… the grunting and groaning… the furniture and fast food… the hellos and the goodbyes - I’m exhausted.  Emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, moving has taken it out of me (whatever “it” is).  In the midst of all of this though, I have been able to read a book I started by Sam Storms called Signs of the Spirit.  The book gives his interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ historical and essential work, Religious Affections.  I am only half-way through the book but can heartily recommed it if you are interested in an excellent treatment of what impact the saving work of the Spirit has in an individual’s life. 

As I was reading today, I was struck once again with the realization that true believers are moved by God’s revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ to such a degree that a person’s conduct will of necessity be changed.  Such is the power of the glory of Jesus Christ.   Over and over the Bible informs us that not only will there be a change in conduct, but there will also be a commensurate movement in conviction and persuasion of the Truth in the hearts of believers. 

Matthew 16.15-17 – ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

John 6.68-69 – ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, ⁶⁹ and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

II Corinthians 4.11-18 -  ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, ¹⁴ knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. ¹⁵ For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. ¹⁶ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

II Timothy 1.12 – But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.³

I John 4.13-16 – ¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

These and other verses like these point to the fact that those who have been regenerated (given new life) by the Spirit have an overwhelming confidence/assurance/conviction, of the truth of the glory of the gospel.  This understanding does not come by reason or brilliance.  It does not come through years of education and hard work.  It comes because of the movement of God in the heart and soul of a person. 

“God has made it possible for a person to attain full assurance of the truth of the gospel apart from arguments related to ancient traditions and history and other evidences… Those who eventually lost their lives as martyrs of Christ, perhaps most of whom lacked formal education, ‘declare their assurance of the truth and divinity of the gospel, having had the eyes of their minds enlightened, to see divinity in the gospel, or to behold unparalled, ineffably excellent, and truly divine glory shining in it, which is altogether distinguishing, evidential, and convincing, so that they may truly be said to have seen God in it, and to have seen that it is indeed divine.”  (Storms, Signs of the Spirit, 106)

This kind of sight produces awe, awe produces humility, and humility produces child-like faith.  In the words of Christ, it is not self-sufficiency toward greatness that brings one into the kingdom of Chist, but rather humility toward radical dependence on Jesus that grants one entrance into His kingdom and indeed makes one truly great. 

Matthew 18.1-4  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

For my part, every day there needs to be a packing up of my pride and prejudices, and an unpacking of the kind of humility and trust that a child has.  This move to South Carolina has reminded me once again that I could have never done it on my own.  I needed so many other people to come alongside and do what I couldn’t.  And when it comes to the Christian life, it is no different.  I must have a moving experience – everyday - continually – with the Spirit of God moving in me to do what I can’t do myself.  I need the fellowship and support of other brothers and sisters encouraging me onward.   I need my wife and children to interact together for the purpose of living humbly as a family.  I take heart because I know that Christ can bring all of this and more to pass…

Philippians 1.6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

 

Everybody Has to Live for Something

I have been reading from Tim Keller’s book, The Reason for God.  I would strongly recommend it if you are looking for a book that will help you interact with folks who are asking the “BIG” questions of life (how can a good, all-powerful God permit evil, where did everything come from, why am I here, is there such a thing as truth, don’t all roads lead to God – and so on).  I would also recommend this book if you are a believer who wants to think well about mankind, sin’s effect on mankind, and God’s power in rescuing mankind.   While I think it is a wonderful book, there are areas that I don’t find total agreement, but the overall message is compelling and thought provoking.  What I really want to do in this entry is simply share a few paragraphs that I found very encouraging and caused me to want to make much of God.  I thought I would share them with you…

“Remember this – if you don’t live for Jesus you will live for something else.  If you live for career and you don’t do well it may punish you all of your life, and you will feel like a failure.  If you live for your children and they don’t turn out all right you could be absolutely in torment because you feel worthless as a person.

“If Jesus is your center and Lord and you fail him, he will forgive you.  Your career can’t die for your sins.  You might say, ‘If I were a Christian I’d be going around pursued by guilt all the time!’  But we are all being pursued by guilt because we must have an identity and there must be some standard to live up to by which we get that identity.  Whatever you base you life on – you have to live up that that.  Jesus is the one you can live for who died for you – who breathed his last breath for you.  Does that sound oppressive?

“You may say, ‘I see that Christianity might be just the thing for people who have had collapses in their lives.  But what if I don’t fail in my career and what if I have a great family?’  As Augustine said, if there is a God who created you, then the deepest chambers of your soul simply cannot be filled up by anything less.  That is how great the human soul is.  If Jesus is Creator-Lord, then by definition nothing could satisfy you like he can, even if you are successful.  Even the most successful careers and families cannot give the significance, security, and affirmation that the author of glory and love can. 

“Everybody has to live for something.  What that something is becomes ‘Lord of your life,’ whether you think of it that way or not.  Jesus is the only Lord who, if you receive him, will fulfill you completely, and, if you fail him, will forgive you eternally.”  (page 172, The Reason for God)

Just something to think about…