The Persuit of Truth in Modern Culture
Faith Seminary – Tacoma
Submitted to Dr. Dennis W. Jowers, Ph.D.
In partial fulfillment of
Faith and Reason – RE442
By
Ed Gossien
March 2008
Introduction
The landscape of western culture is changing. The biblical worldview that focused on truth and its application to life is less and less prominent. Modernism has given way to postmodernism. Modernism taught that truth could be obtained through reason and scientific facts. Postmodernism rejects, for the most part, the idea that truth can be known at all. Many in our culture hold the postmodern view. However, it seems that many are moving beyond the denial of absolute truth to the proclamation of their own self created truth. This paper will explore various views on the nature of truth in the modern culture and its impact on the Christian landscape. In addition, it will demonstrate that those who question the traditional truths of Scripture are more than willing to arbitrarily declare their opinions to be truth. This is not just an academic discussion. People are being fooled each day as they pursue eternal life. There is no time to waste.
The importance of Objective truth
Jesus said to recently converted Jews “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32, NKJV). Jesus clearly taught that truth could be found and understood from “abiding” in His word. His immediate listeners would have understood Jesus to be referring to His spoken words. However, based upon what we know of the Triune nature of God, it is reasonable to deduce that Jesus’ “word” would extend to the entirety of scripture. Therefore, the Son of God tells us that truth is 1) able to be discerned and 2) can be found in the pages of Scripture. Additionally, knowledge of the truth, specifically the truth about the person of Christ, will “make you free.” The good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection can be found in the pages of scripture.
Truth that leads to eternal life should be foremost in each person’s mind. However, the contemporary discussion of the nature of truth does not revolve around spiritual issues. Spirited debate about how to obtain eternal life has been replaced. Not so long ago the issue for many was whether Christianity’s claims were true. The 21st century debate asks if one can know the truth at all, or if there is such a thing as objective truth. Instead of discerning between varying religious views on obtaining eternal life, many are content to believe that all views are equally true for their adherents. In a sense, as absurd as it may sound, they are all true. Others reject the authority of Scripture and simply create their own truth. These are destructive practices that place people in a position of uncertainty regarding eternal life.
Truth in Popular Culture
Oprah Winfrey is arguably the most influential woman in the world. She has earned the trust of millions of people over the years. To her credit, she has demonstrated a level of integrity that is sadly missing in many public figures today. She has donated millions of dollars to charity and helped countless people in need. For this she should be honored. Her recent endorsement of Barak Obama, at least in part, propelled him from a distant second in the presidential race to a likely nominee for the Democratic Party. Her influence should not be ignored.
Oprah recently endorsed “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. According to the book’s website, “The Secret teaches us that we create our lives, with every thought every minute of every day.”[1] On the topic of money, The Secret says “Money is magnetic energy. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings.”[2] Regarding relationships, we are told that “Every single relationship you have is a [1] reflection of how you feel inside about you. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings. Every relationship you have and every interaction with every person is a reflection of your own thoughts and feelings in that very moment.”[3] The position espoused in The Secret and endorsed by Oprah seems to be a declaration of self made truth.
As the day this paragraph was being written Oprah was hosting quite possibly the largest web event ever, a ninety minute class from Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth.” Ekhart Tolle, according to his website, has written several books that all address the same topic, Spiritual Awakening. He writes
In the Gospel story of Mary and Martha, Jesus says to Martha, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needful.” (Luke 10:41) As I was writing A New Earth, people would sometimes ask me, “What is the new book about?” And invariably, my answer would be, “I only ever write or speak about one thing.” What is that one thing? Spiritual awakening.[4] (capitalization his)
Tolle teaches that happiness can be found in a new consciousness, an awakening.
Both Tolle and Byrne declare with certainty their views. One teaches that there is a Secret that holds the key to happiness. The other proposes a shift of consciousness that will bring happiness. Oprah endorses both.
The specifics of the aforementioned authors are beyond the scope of this paper. Suffice it to say that Eastern thought disguised in 21st century language should not be a surprise. Truth, it seems, is found in the writings of current gurus until a new guru comes along.
Truth in Political Issues
Global warming threatens our very survival, or at least that’s what the pundits say. A Google search for “global warming crisis” yielded 316,000 results. (By contrast, a search for “resurrection of Christ” yielded 7,169 results.) Viewing a sampling of these websites would undoubtedly yield many differing views on global warming, all declared as truth. Today, many people are satisfied when they find a “truth” that they agree with. Self-proclaimed truth can be found in many political issues, both on the left and on the right. Perhaps a vigorous search for the actual objective truth would be more productive in the long run.
Truth in the Church
Historical Christianity believes that the Bible is God’s Word, inspired in its entirety, and contains objective truth. One should not be startled that non-believers redefine truth. However, the alarm should sound when leaders in the Church jettison the truths of Scripture for truths of their own. As one example, we are currently confronted with the emergence of the “emerging church” in Europe and America. The movement, though loosely affiliated, operates in a postmodern mindset. (The comments of this author regarding those in the emerging conversation are admittedly replete with generalizations. The movement is still in its infancy and it remains to be seen how their movement will flesh itself out.) For many of the prominent leaders associated with the emerging church, they can be certain of little within the pages of scripture. Many tend to reject the traditional views of the church. Oddly enough, they are prone to write books that espouse their own version of truth. Brian McClaren’s book Everything Must Change is a compilation of thoughts and opinions regarding social issues, the church, Jesus, and McLaren’s hope for the future. As an example of self declared truth, McLaren defines “postmodern” as “excessive confidence.”[5] According to McLaren, the postmodern mindset was responsible for defeating Hitler, releasing scores of countries from colonial oppression, the civil rights movement, and a rethinking of the treatment of Native Americans.[6] McLaren, on his own volition, redefined the term “postmodern” with his own version of truth. Many more examples are to be found in the pages of his book.
Karen Ward in Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches says “We do not possess truth or seek to correct the truths of others, but we seek to live faithfully in light of the truth of God in Jesus Christ.”[7] On the atonement, she says “Is there an ‘emerging’ theology of the atonement? I think not. However, I do think that there might be a unique way the emerging church goes about interfacing with the doctrine of the atonement.”[8] Ward declares her own truth in much the same way as McLaren. Though she does not give a set of truths one must adhere to, she makes clear that traditional beliefs regarding doctrine, and in this case, the atonement can not be trusted. Of this you can be sure.
Conclusion
Make no mistake, truth is under fire. Our culture, even within the church, has moved away from the orthodox acceptance of Scripture as the final arbitrator of truth and practice. Popular culture, the media, and politicians fuel the decline. In years past we have drifted from accepting truth as found in God’s word to questioning whether one can know truth at all. Presently we are in the midst of a drift from questioning truth to proclaiming self made truth. If this drift continues the church will find itself without a message of hope. Existence without certain redemption, the hope of Heaven, the companionship of Christ, and the comforting boundaries of scripture brings only despair. Fulfillment can only be found when we understand that “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Bibliography
http://eckharttolle.com/a_new_earth
McLaren, Everything Must Change – Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope (Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2007)
Webber, ed. Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2007),
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[1] Author undisclosed, “The Secret – Living the Secret – The Secret – The Official Website of the Secret Movie” [cited 5 Mar. 2008]. Online: http://www.thesecret.tv/living-the-secret.html
[2] Author undisclosed, “The Official Website of the Secret Movie”
[3] Author undisclosed, “The Secret – Living the Secret – The Secret – The Official Website of the Secret Movie” [cited 5 Mar. 2008]. Online: http://www.thesecret.tv/living-the-secret.html#relationship
[4] Tolle, Eckhart, “Eckhart Tolle – A New Earth” [cited 5 Mar. 2008]. Online: http://eckharttolle.com/a_new_earth
[5] Brian D. McLaren, Everything Must Change – Jesus, global crises, and a revolution of hope (Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2007), 36.
[6] McLaren, Everything Must Change, 34-38.
[7] Robert Webber, ed., Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2007), 179.
[8] Webber, Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches, 163.