EDITORIAL

Whose Truth, Indeed?

Let me begin by saying that this article is written in the spirit of Christian love. My sincere hope and prayer is that you will read and consider its contents thoughtfully, honestly and prayerfully. I have tried to choose each word and phrase purposefully and considerately as the subject is of utmost importance to us all! Read on, dear friend.

For many years, I have been struggling to make some sense of the obvious division that exists in the religious world. This struggle has been real in every way. As a Christian (as well as a minister of the Gospel of Christ), I long for the unification of believers! Biblical passages from Genesis to Revelation make plain to us all this divinely sanctioned desire. Truly, God wishes all would call themselves Christians and thus be of ONE body (Col. 3:15). Did not Paul plead with the early Church to “speak the same thing and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (King James Version, 1 Cor. 1:10)? Who among us could honestly say that this is the case in the religious world around us? None, I say! No, not one! Those who do, deceive themselves! Some will say that we are all united in our belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and while we may disagree on other “lesser matters,” we are all on a road (not the same road mind you) to the same place, heaven. Friend, this kind of thinking does not square with the plain teaching of the Bible! Not 2000 years ago and no, not today! Unlike many in the religious world, I am not satisfied with the unscriptural idea of unity among believers in Jesus Christ, with our faith in Him being one of the very few common denominators! Surely the Bible, and God who wrote it through inspired men, must, and DOES expect more from us!

In December of 2001, I was listening to the popular radio show “Focus on the Family” hosted by psychologist and author Dr. James Dobson. Recently, I heard a repeat of this same program and it occurred to me that the problem with denominationalism and division was right there on my radio! There in front of me and God, the whole world and everything, was the thing I had been overlooking! It seemed as though I should have known it all along, but was unable to verbalize it. Friend, I can only hope that by the end of this message, I will have helped you to see plainly that which took me much too long to come to understand! Please, do not be dull of hearing as I was. Open your mind and your heart to the truth of God and prove these things, whether they be so (1 Thess. 5:21; Acts 17:11).

The program that day was centered on the idea of objective or absolute truth. Focus on the Family has produced a video (which I have not seen) entitled “My Truth, Your Truth, Whose Truth?” As the show progressed, I nodded in agreement toward the radio as Dr. Dobson and his son Ryan (involved in denominational youth ministry) spoke of the truth that exists outsides of us, independent of man, the truth of God that we must all discover through the diligent study of His Word (my wording, JJN).

Dr. Dobson questioned Ryan regarding the current state of young people in America and their perception of truth. Many examples were given showing that among “evangelical Christian” kids (denominational youth, JJN), very few held to the idea of objective truth.

During the show, many solutions to the misconception were discussed. As I listened, I couldn’t help but wonder about the underlying cause of the problem. What would cause these kids (denominational Christian youth) to NOT believe in one objective truth, but rather, embrace the idea that all truth is subjective (the I’m o.k./You’re o.k. philosophy)? Did you pick up on it? After listening to that program twice, I did. Dear friend, is it not now as obvious to you as it became to me that afternoon? Does it not seem ironic and nonsensical to you that one who endorses the existence of so many different “churches” with their conflicting doctrines and practices cannot understand why the youths of these same “churches” do not grasp the concept of objective truth? Out of one side of their mouth, they proclaim divine approval of the divisions that exist in the religious world today, and out of the other, they preach one objective truth! Do not these things sound strange to you? How can the God of truth approve of “churches” teaching so many different doctrines, not only in “lesser matters,” but also in matters concerning eternal salvation? Has not the existence and tolerance of division in the form of denominationalism not only taught, but shouted loud and clear to the young people of this country: “We may not agree on much of anything, but we are all right (true)!” and “We may preach and teach conflicting doctrines and practices (including doctrines and practices concerning our eternal salvation), but we’re all going to heaven!”

Listen to me friend! What these inconsistent denominational folks are really saying (in word and deed) is something far more damaging. “There is NO OBJECTIVE TRUTH!” Still plainer, their example concludes the following. “THERE IS NO GOD!” (God IS TRUTH; John 14:6). This is the TRUE message of denominationalism. This is where division leads!

An older brother in Christ always says, “I can’t hear what you’re saying, your actions are speaking so loudly!” If you are a member of a denomination or a change agent in the Church of our Lord, your spoken message may be the gospel of Jesus, but your actions say something completely different. By your endorsement of the division that is denominationalism, you say to the world “My truth is just as good as your truth; there is NO objective truth; and thus THERE IS NO GOD!” Friend, how long will you continue to deceive yourself? Will you continue to send mixed messages to the young people in your sphere of influence? Will you further add to the confusion and inconsistencies of the religious world? I appeal to your God given sense of reason as well as your common sense, to “come out from among them” (2 Cor. 6:17)! “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isa. 1:18).

Right about now, I suspect some of you have left reading this article. Many who read on will be those who note their agreement to what has been written here with a hearty “amen.” I have not put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard as it were) so much for them as I have for you, who, while disagreeing with some or much here, have at least given these words considerate, if not careful thought.

Perhaps the truth demands much from you this day. Because your beliefs are likely sincere, tightly held and long kept, I should not reasonably expect that most or even many of you will relinquish your grasp of error and denominationalism as a result of this message (no matter how heartfelt and true). Perhaps you have too much to lose emotionally, physically or materially (but certainly not spiritually) to come to the fold of Jesus Christ, the one true Church “which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). For you, I pray that God will grant you time and the wisdom to use it in seeking His truth. This plea is for the one, if only one, who is confused by the mixed messages of the religious world, not only today, but also throughout history. My brief message here cannot release the world from the grip of man-made creeds and human doctrines. Only Christ’s message, the Good News and the power of the Gospel, can and will release YOU, if only you, from the inconsistency of religious error and division and bring you into a relationship with Him. He only says to you “let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). Not to human creeds and doctrines of men that have caused so much confusion and heartache for so many over the years, but to the pure, unifying message of the truth that is the Gospel.

Friend, you are important to me and to God! Would you call me brother? Can we unite to work together in His kingdom under the authority of His name and His teachings (Col. 3:17)? If you are willing, I, among others, am willing to help in any way I possibly can. Come! Let us return to the simple plan of the New Testament Church revealed to us in the Bible. Isn’t it time? Come! Let us unite in truth! Let us unite in Him!

— JJN