Seeking Truth

This Eastertide reflection considers the significance of truth in Christianity, particularly the disciples’ testimony regarding the resurrection of Jesus. [1]

Speaking the truth in love

In Ephesians 4:15, the apostle Paul advises Christians, “We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ Jesus.”

As followers of Christ, our goal is to grow more like Jesus. Our method is seeking and speaking the truth in love. This article intends to do just that regarding the resurrection. 

First-hand witnesses believed Jesus’ resurrection was true

All four gospels bear witness to Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples proclaimed, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Luke 24: 34

John concludes his gospel by saying, “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.” John 21:24

The quest for truth

I respect the doubt of the agnostic or the skepticism of the atheist.

Resistance to the Christian narrative—or any narrative of faith predicated on belief in the reality of the supernatural—could be the position of someone on a sincere search for truth.

Of course, this assumes that the non-believer is a reasonable thinker and open to a worldview that does not fit their paradigm. However, such inquisitors seem to be few and far between. Thankfully, a noteworthy example of such a seeker is Robert Kuhn and his Closer To Truth video program.

Closer To Truth

During my doctoral research, I discovered Robert Kuhn’s fascinating documentary series “Closer To Truth.” [https://closertotruth.com] Kuhn interviews “the world’s greatest thinkers” to explore humanity’s most profound issues of existence.

Kuhn’s long-form conversations feature scores of academics, scientists, and philosophers such as Richard Dawkins, Giulio Tononi, Alvin Plantinga, and John Polkinghorne. The series invites viewers to consider “state-of-the-art ideas” about human sentience [2], engage in diverse ways of thinking, appreciate intense debates, and seek their own answers.[3]

One consistent insight I gained from the show is that the quest for truth is a powerful driving force in the DNA of the human spirit. Yet, at some level, a leap of faith is always required to believe . . .just about anything.

Telling the truth

The witnesses in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection speak to anyone who would listen, really listen, to what they were saying.

“Look, we’re not making this up. Jesus appearing to us after his death is not a fairy tale. It is not a myth. We saw this guy. It happened. It is true.”

And everyone who hears their message today has a choice to believe their testimony. Or not.

Who cares about truth?

Jesus cared about the truth. In fact, he claimed to be the truth. Not only did He reveal the truth, but He also embodied it. John's gospel recounts Jesus’ truth claims. Three passages are astounding, especially when considered in reverse chronological order.

First, at the conclusion of his mission during his trial before Pilate, Jesus proclaimed: “This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth, who belongs to the truth] hears and listens to My voice.” John 18:37 (AMP)

Second, earlier before his arrest, when preparing his followers for the hardships were to follow, Jesus revealed that “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Finally, when we find the truth in Jesus, we are set free. Jesus promised that for those who believed in him and would abide in his word, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Summary: Knowing the truth

Seeking the truth is the essential nature of our humanity. 

When we seek to know Jesus, we find the highest form of truth. 

When we find the truth, we find our freedom. 

When we share the truth, we share the love of God.

So my friends, may the truth set you free today!

Let us pray:

Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, to know you is to know everlasting life. Help us to know your Son Jesus Christ perfectly as the way, the truth, and the life. May we steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.

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[1] ABOUT THIS SERIES: According to the historical church calendar, the Easter Season (also known as Eastertide) is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Robert Webber notes in Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year that “the essential theme of Easter cannot be communicated in a day. It takes a season.”

Some years ago I blogged a devotional book examining the events and conversations surrounding Jesus during this time period called Resurrection Power: 50 Days That Rocked The World. Now with the perspective of a decade passed of life and study, I felt inspired to revisit those themes and share whatever the Holy Spirit would prompt. Hence, this article is an excerpt from the new revised edition of Resurrection Power forthcoming.

[2] Sentience is the ability to experience feelings and sensations. It’s the capacity to have affective consciousness, a subjective state that can be positive or negative.

[3] Source: CloserToTruth.com [https://closertotruth.com]

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