Epistemology Question

[rbaitz]

I'm reading the works of Gordon Clark. In one of his books he mentioned that "the Bible has a monopoly on truth". As a Christian I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God without error. But it is hard for me to understand what is meant by this? The Bible contains many things, but it doesn't contain all things. It doesn't have all that Jesus did, as the Bible itself said (Jn.21:25). It doesn't contain the owners manual to my car. So it contains a great deal of knowledge, but not all knowledge. Though I believe God has all knowledge, and He is the source of all knowledge.

How do you explain Dr. Clark's words, "the Bible has a monopoly on truth"? Am I missing something here?

 

[Davian]

Wishful thinking.

 

[Chriliman]

I'm reading the works of Gordon Clark. In one of his books he mentioned that "the Bible has a monopoly on truth". As a Christian I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God without error. But it is hard for me to understand what is meant by this? The Bible contains many things, but it doesn't contain all things. It doesn't have all that Jesus did, as the Bible itself said (Jn.21:25). It doesn't contain the owners manual to my car. So it contains a great deal of knowledge, but not all knowledge. Though I believe God has all knowledge, and He is the source of all knowledge.

How do you explain Dr. Clark's words, "the Bible has a monopoly on truth"? Am I missing something here?

If he said "the bible has a monopoly on true things" then I'd understand your concern. But that's not what he said. The bible does have a monopoly on truth because the truth inspired it. If you believe in Jesus Christ then you also have a monopoly on truth because the truth is in you and actively inspiring you.

 

[rbaitz]

If he said "the bible has a monopoly on true things" then I'd understand your concern. But that's not what he said. The bible does have a monopoly on truth because the truth inspired it. If you believe in Jesus Christ then you also have a monopoly on truth because the truth is in you and actively inspiring you.

I was looking at "truth" as knowledge. But it sounds like you're saying the "truth" is God himself. What is another way to say this?

 

[Chriliman]

I was looking at "truth" as knowledge. But it sounds like you're saying the "truth" is God himself. What is another way to say this?

Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life" this is why I say God is truth.

 

[juvenissun]

I'm reading the works of Gordon Clark. In one of his books he mentioned that "the Bible has a monopoly on truth". As a Christian I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God without error. But it is hard for me to understand what is meant by this? The Bible contains many things, but it doesn't contain all things. It doesn't have all that Jesus did, as the Bible itself said (Jn.21:25). It doesn't contain the owners manual to my car. So it contains a great deal of knowledge, but not all knowledge. Though I believe God has all knowledge, and He is the source of all knowledge.

How do you explain Dr. Clark's words, "the Bible has a monopoly on truth"? Am I missing something here?

The truth does not have to contain the information on your car manual. In fact, it should have have that info.

 

[ToddNotTodd]

I'm reading the works of Gordon Clark. In one of his books he mentioned that "the Bible has a monopoly on truth". As a Christian I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God without error. But it is hard for me to understand what is meant by this? The Bible contains many things, but it doesn't contain all things. It doesn't have all that Jesus did, as the Bible itself said (Jn.21:25). It doesn't contain the owners manual to my car. So it contains a great deal of knowledge, but not all knowledge. Though I believe God has all knowledge, and He is the source of all knowledge.

How do you explain Dr. Clark's words, "the Bible has a monopoly on truth"? Am I missing something here?

I just briefly read a bit by Clark. He's an idiot. He uses a slippery definition of "truth" that slides between statements so that he can make a particular (illogical) point. It's one reason I don't use the word "truth" when I can help it.

If you care at all about Philosophy, stay far away from him...

 

[Ratjaws]

I'm reading the works of Gordon Clark. In one of his books he mentioned that "the Bible has a monopoly on truth". As a Christian I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God without error. But it is hard for me to understand what is meant by this? The Bible contains many things, but it doesn't contain all things. It doesn't have all that Jesus did, as the Bible itself said (Jn.21:25). It doesn't contain the owners manual to my car. So it contains a great deal of knowledge, but not all knowledge. Though I believe God has all knowledge, and He is the source of all knowledge.

How do you explain Dr. Clark's words, "the Bible has a monopoly on truth"? Am I missing something here?

Hey rbaitz,
Excellent Q! Allow me to take a stab at this.

First off I know from my mentor (John A. Hardon) that "truth is conformity of the mind to reality." Second, I know as you do that the bible doesn't even claim to hold truth on every area of life. As the Pope John Paul II said the bible contains what is pertinent to faith and morals. In fact it contains principles that must be drawn out (exegeted) and then applied to every day life. As you suggest the bible is the inspired Word of God and so it is in how one interprets it where error creeps in. This is precisely why Jesus left us a Church that is "the pillar and ground of truth" and "holds the keys to the kingdom." The latter is a reference to it's authority to interpret sacred scripture. Notice here I used the term "authority" which comes from the Latin root author, or auctor, to increase, originate or promote. It means one in authority has the task of protecting something of value. So Christ appointed the Church and those who hold office to continue a proper understanding of the Christian faith. It's interesting that only the Catholic Church has a systematic theology and moral theology.

I also have read Clark and believe him to be very mistaken in much of what he teaches. He tends toward contemporary thought when it comes to philosophical and theological matters which errors in idealism, rationalism, skepticism, and other such tangential world views. Pope John Paul II also stated that the Church does not have a monopoly on truth but contains the fulness of truth. He said this in relation to Protestants and was striking the balance by admitting Protestant theology contains much truth, only admixed with error. It makes good sense to me that God would not just give us truth but in some way guarantee it remains in the world until the end of time. This it does so in a way that presents the full truth to anyone who should desire it. Therefore I would advise as you read through Clark's works to "hold fast to your faith," an admonition of St. Paul to St. Timothy. You already seem to have a good hold on it as evidenced by asking such a question in context relative to comments you've made.

 

[Davian]

If he said "the bible has a monopoly on true things" then I'd understand your concern. But that's not what he said. The bible does have a monopoly on truth because the truth inspired it.

So all you have to do is claim to have the truth to have the truth?

If you believe in Jesus Christ then you also have a monopoly on truth because the truth is in you and actively inspiring you.

If you believe you have the truth you also have a monopoly on the truth? At no extra charge?

 

[bhsmte]

I'm reading the works of Gordon Clark. In one of his books he mentioned that "the Bible has a monopoly on truth". As a Christian I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God without error. But it is hard for me to understand what is meant by this? The Bible contains many things, but it doesn't contain all things. It doesn't have all that Jesus did, as the Bible itself said (Jn.21:25). It doesn't contain the owners manual to my car. So it contains a great deal of knowledge, but not all knowledge. Though I believe God has all knowledge, and He is the source of all knowledge.

How do you explain Dr. Clark's words, "the Bible has a monopoly on truth"? Am I missing something here?

I would describe his words as conservative Christian apologetics and black and white thinking.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

What is truth according to the bible?

http://biblehub.com/topical/t/truth.htm

Maybe, it its true that I am typing, this is not in the bible, so the bible has no monopoly on truth.