Can Truth Be Known? How

[CoreyD]

Acts 17:18-21
18 Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
19 So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20 For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
21 Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.

Many philosophers debate for centuries, and never come to a conclusion.
As a Christian, how does one determine what is truth?
Is it by consulting what people says... be it there may be a multiplicity of opinions, ideas, interpretations, and the like?

How did early Christians view finding the truth?
How would Jesus establish truth?

There is a contrast between lawlessness - idleness, and righteousness.
Lawlessness
Acts 17:5-9, 12, 13

Righteousness
Acts 17:1-4, 10-12

It was Paul's custom, to reason with people from the Scriptures; explaining and proving by giving evidence of what was true. Acts 17:2, 3​

The result:
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women. Acts 17:4

Those in Berea examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
The scriptures were what revealed truth to them. They could compare what Paul said, with the scriptures to see if what Paul said was in line with truth.
The scriptures were like a measuring rule.

So, spending time debating with the view that one interpretation is just as good as another, and we cannot establish the truth one way or the other, is lawlessness, and individuals who hold to this view will find out later... one way or the other, that this is not righteousness.

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
2 Timothy 2:23​

This is contrary to reasoning from the scriptures and proving by evidence, what is being discussed, as Paul did .
Jesus said... Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. John17:17

Do you do as Jesus did, when it comes to establishing the truth?
Do you follow the example of the apostle Paul,?
Or do you look to scholars.. whether Jewish or otherwise, to determine truth from how they see it?

I believe...

the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12​

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I am a big believer when the Bible spells something out for us plainly, we need to believe.

This is what we are told is Truth in Scripture

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

So we can see this Truth through the life of Jesus Christ by what He taught, what He practiced, all for our example 1John2:6 1Peter2:21-22

Psa119:151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

All of God's commandments are Truth, so best to let God be God on what He asks for His children

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Going away from God's Words and replace with mans word and traditions we can go from light to darkness Isa8:20

If we stick with these basic but important principles, the Truth sets us free indeed. John8:32

 

[CoreyD]

I am a big believer when the Bible spells something out for us plainly, we need to believe.

This is what we are told is Truth in Scripture

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

So we can see this Truth through the life of Jesus Christ by what He taught, what He practiced, all for our example 1John2:6 1Peter2:21-22

Psa119:151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

All of God's commandments are Truth, so going away from this we go from light to darkness John3:19-21 Isa8:20

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Again going away from God's Words and replace with mans word and traditions we can go from light to darkness

If we stick with these basic but important principles, the Truth sets us free indeed. John8:32

Yes, I like John 8:31, 32.
Why did I forget to mention that
Thanks for that reference.

 

[timothyu]

Matthew 16: 17 .... For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, hbut my Father who is in heaven.

Truth comes only from the Father and this is what the church was to be built upon, truth from the Father, not the doctrines, traditions nor will of man using God for their own purposes. Anyone putting their will ahead of the will of God, especially in religion, is working for the Adversary.

 

[Delvianna]

To piggy back off of Timothyu because I agree, God is the one who determines what is truth. If you don't have God, you can debate the bible until you die but how much of it would you get right? Probably not very much since we got demonic influence to handle too. So how do you know what is truth? When you follow God. I am a believer that you can be placed on an island, no bible, no access to people what-so-ever or the internet and come out being a scholar because God will teach you what you need to know. The bible is an aid, and should never replace your walk with Christ.

 

[Dan Perez]

Matthew 16: 17 .... For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, hbut my Father who is in heaven.

Truth comes only from the Father and this is what the church was to be built upon, truth from the Father, not the doctrines, traditions nor will of man using God for their own purposes. Anyone putting their will ahead of the will of God, especially in religion, is working for the Adversary.

# 1 IS TO DO WHAT 1 Cor 11:1 what. all are to do , You become IMITATORS. of ME // in. the Greek is EMPHATIC.

meaning ME. and only ME. just as I. AM. of CHRIST. !!

# 2 Is to RIGHTLY DIVIDE. to present yourself approved. to God a WORKMAN RIGHLY DIVIDING the WORD of TRUTH !!

dan p

 

[concretecamper]

So, spending time debating with the view that one interpretation is just as good as another, and we cannot establish the truth one way or the other, is lawlessness, and individuals who hold to this view will find out later... one way or the other, that this is not righteousness.

And what always happens is that everyone thinks they have the truth in interpretation of Scripture and those who disagrees with them are wrong. So as you say, that is not righteousness.

Additionally, everyone claims to be led by the Spirit. The person, who claims to be led by the Spirit, says Water Baptism is needed for salvation is at odds with another person, who claims to be led by the same Spirit, says Baptism isn't needed, it is just a symbol.

So while you post points out a real problem, there is no way to solve it

 

[timothyu]

meaning ME. and only ME. just as I. AM. of CHRIST. !!

As Jesus imitated the Father. His will be done.

 

[Fervent]

Truth is only known by God's revelation. Left to our own devices, we can't get off the ground. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

 

[Jeesuspelastaa]

Jesus' teaching will be known by remaining in Jesus' word. John 8:31. It is unthinkable that a person should strive for truth but never be able to find it. Such thinking is not in harmony with Jesus' words: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. " John 8:32.
Furthermore, we have been given the task of teaching everything that Jesus commanded his disciples to observe. Matthew 28:20. If the teaching could not be known, all missionary work would be nothing more than Pilate's questioning. John 18:38.

My writings: In English

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Acts 17:18-21
18 Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
19 So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20 For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
21 Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.

Many philosophers debate for centuries, and never come to a conclusion.
As a Christian, how does one determine what is truth?
Is it by consulting what people says... be it there may be a multiplicity of opinions, ideas, interpretations, and the like?

How did early Christians view finding the truth?
How would Jesus establish truth?

There is a contrast between lawlessness - idleness, and righteousness.
Lawlessness
Acts 17:5-9, 12, 13

Righteousness
Acts 17:1-4, 10-12

It was Paul's custom, to reason with people from the Scriptures; explaining and proving by giving evidence of what was true. Acts 17:2, 3​

The result:
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women. Acts 17:4

Those in Berea examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
The scriptures were what revealed truth to them. They could compare what Paul said, with the scriptures to see if what Paul said was in line with truth.
The scriptures were like a measuring rule.

So, spending time debating with the view that one interpretation is just as good as another, and we cannot establish the truth one way or the other, is lawlessness, and individuals who hold to this view will find out later... one way or the other, that this is not righteousness.

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
2 Timothy 2:23​

This is contrary to reasoning from the scriptures and proving by evidence, what is being discussed, as Paul did .
Jesus said... Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. John17:17

Do you do as Jesus did, when it comes to establishing the truth?
Do you follow the example of the apostle Paul,?
Or do you look to scholars.. whether Jewish or otherwise, to determine truth from how they see it?

I believe...

the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12​

How do I determine "truth"?

............... the truth is, I don't determine it. Rather, what I do is gather and analyze various evidences regarding the Reality which God has placed me in, and I do my best to make rational sense of it all, both historically and prayerfully, like St. Luke did.

 

[Clare73]

I am a big believer when the Bible spells something out for us plainly, we need to believe.
This is what we are told is Truth in Scripture
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
So we can see this Truth through the life of Jesus Christ by what He taught, what He practiced, all for our example 1John2:6 1Peter2:21-22
Psa119:151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

So we are to obey all his Levitical commandments?

 

[SabbathBlessings]

So we are to obey all his Levitical commandments?

This verse doesn't say this.

I don't not believe that is what David had in mind, but the Testimonies of God Exo31:18 that are perfect and make up His perfect character Psa19:7 written personally by our Lord and Savior.

 

[Hawkins]

Humans lack the ability to access truth directly. More often they acquire truth indirectly.

In terms of truth, there are roughly two camps of humans, one with extrememly small amount while the other the mass majority.
When you trust your own five senses, you joined the first camp of humans deemed as the eyewitnesses. When you are unable (as limited by human inability) to contact truth directly. You joined the second camp of humans deemed as the believers.

Even science works so. Do you know that black holes exist? You do. Do you have the evidence? You don't. Information (truth) functions as a piece of human testimony from eyewitnesses which we call them the scientists. There could less than 100 such scientists dedicated and specialized in researching black holes, versus the 8 billion humans on earth. That is to say, the 8 billioin humans need to put faith in the 100 scientists to indirectly get to such a piece of truth. That's how reality works.

Now how do we know the the truth of black hole with its characteristics are truly from scientists other than swallowing with faith? Subconsciously we rely on evaluating the legitimacy of what this piece of testimony is conveyed. From the authorities behind the testimony who authenticate the information, and from the consistency of how information are conveyed (if I said the in center of a black hole, there's a large stone, you shall not believe because this is inconsistent with information (a testimony) flowing). We get to the truth of black holes from journals we deemed reliable, TV channels we deemed reliable, education entities we deemed reliable. Subsequently these entities we deemed reliable are authenticated by the central government. One of the government's duty is to remove untrustworthy media conveying falsehoods. You may need to overthrow it if you don't think that it enforces the conveying of truth.

As for the Bible, the intangible media conveying its information are the physicla churches (you might choose to read the Bible by yourself though, yet in terms of a media in a larger scale of conveying information the churches are the role). The situation is governed by an intangible Church which utimately refers to the Temple built by Jesus in three days. It is somehow linked to God Himself (Jesus is the head of legitimate churches), in terms of authority and authentication.

Other than this "business as usual" flow of conveying truth, God the Holy Spirit is also poured upon Christians to guide them through. However, this is tied to basically two factors, which are 1) where your faith is, and 2) your distance from the sin-incompatible God.
As Jesus put, you can move mountains if you have enough faith, while He also put that His direct disciples' faith is smaller than the smallest seeds in the world. So you still need the authenticated Church to maintain a standard (though intangible as well).

Distance to the sin-incompatible God matters as well. How close you are to God? In 60s there could be less than 1% Christians can actually get in touch with pornography, but today the opposite may be true that less than 1% Christian haven't get in touch with it. To a certain extent, this measures distance from God of today's humans. Again, I don't think that you can rely on this factor alone without the intangible standard from the intangible Church. No worries yet, the final statement is that if you are His sheep you will hear His voice. Those endure to the end by doing the will of the Father shall be saved at the end. Not a single sheep will be left behind! That's the promise.

 

[Clare73]

I am a big believer when the Bible spells something out for us plainly, we need to believe.
This is what we are told is Truth in Scripture
Psa119:151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

So we are to obey all his Levitical commandments?

This verse doesn't say this.

That's some pretty fancy foot-work.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

That's some pretty fancy foot-work.

So are you claiming the Testimony of God Exo31:18 Deut4:13 that was written by the Holy Spirit is not Truth and not included in Psa119:151? I think reading the story of King David and how he valued the ark of God, would not come to this conclusion, but we do have free will.

 

[Clare73]

Are you claiming the Testimony of God that was written by the Holy Spirit is not Truth?

You tell me. . .

 

[SabbathBlessings]

You tell me. . .

I didn't make the accusation.