“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott
“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott
This morning has been a transcendent experience, filled with awe, joy, sadness, wonder, thanksgiving and hope. Far from ordinary it will be a precious memory. It was true and real. Because of its deeply personal nature it is not readily transferable. I am incapable of replicating it but hopefully I can provide a glimpse. As I watched the sun rise, God’s hand delivered this song:
We, buried dreams Laid them deep into the earth behind us Said, our goodbyes At the grave but everything reminds us God knows, we ache When He asks us to go on How do we go on? We will sing, to our souls We won’t bury our hope Where He leads us to go There’s a red sea road When we can’t, see the way He will part the waves And we’ll never walk alone Down a red sea road How, can we trust When You say You will deliver us from All, of this pain, that threatens to take over us Well, this desert’s dry But the ocean may consume And we’re scared, to follow You So we will sing, to our souls We won’t bury our hope Where He leads us to go There’s a red sea road When we can’t, see the way He will part the waves And we’ll never walk alone Down a red sea road Oh help us believe You…
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11
In my previous post, I implied that absolute truth is at the heart of our divisive culture. After pondering that idea for a few days, I am still holding that conclusion. In this post, mostly a stream of consciousness, I want to explore the idea of absolute truth and perhaps clarify my conclusion.
In full disclosure, I believe there is absolute truth. I know some will breath a sigh of relief and a few will wince.
The subject of absolute truth is a trigger in post-modern culture. The following quote helps frame the issue:
Whatever happened to the truth?! In our world, the idea of ultimate truth — something that is true at all times in all places and has relevance for our lives — is about as extinct as the dinosaur. In fact, nearly three out of four Americans say there is no such thing as ultimate, or absolute, truth. And the numbers don’t look much better among those who claim to follow Jesus. In a society where ultimate truth is treated like a fairy tale, an outdated idea or even an insult to human intelligence, the motto of the day becomes, “WHATEVER!” Believe whatever you want. Do whatever seems best to you. Live for whatever brings you pleasure, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. And of course, be tolerant. Don’t try to tell anyone that their whatever is wrong.
Ironically, everyone believes in Absolute truth. When someone says, “There is no such thing as absolute truth,” that person is actually making a statement that he or she believes to be absolutely true. Contradictory, isn’t it? Christianity has come to be defined largely its commitment to culture wars, battling assaults on absolute truth. The opposition’s absolute belief that there is no absolute truth is a Maginot Line. This is a frightening proposition. When one believes they possess absolute truth, any action can be justified to protect truth. Therein lies the basis for concluding that absolute truth is a root cause of division. Logic will not permit any compromise. If A is absolutely true, then B is absolutely false. The conflict has evolved into trench warfare
Mutually assured destruction is not imminent, Christianity has adopted the secular ethos of “whatever”. It’s a lot easier to to declare …”whatever, believe whatever you want”… especially since their ultimate reward is eternal hell. “Whatever” is not a solution, it it is a diversion, it is the political equivalent of “love the sinner, hate the sin”. The truth is, when either side’s absolute truth is threatened they will be a fight to the death. Truth matters and is worth fighting for.
Mutually assured destruction may not be imminent for our society, but it is a present reality for families and churches. On a personal level, absolute truth is nitroglycerin, mishandle it and family, friends, spiritual bonds can be destroyed.
The challenge for me, a believer in absolute truth, is how to properly handle Absolute Truth. In considering that challenge here are some thoughts I am pondering in hope of developing proper procedures for the safe handling and use of Absolute Truth.
I found one writer’s puzzle metaphor helpful.
If all existing truth (ontology) were represented by a jigsaw puzzle, what we know (epistemology) would only be a few pieces from the puzzle. This means that what we know can only be known in varying degrees of probability, since after all, we only have a small portion of the entire puzzle—we are always drawing conclusions based off of partial information. (Zachary Broom)
Reality is, what I hold as absolute truth may well be true but it’s not absolute. Ironically , my “absolute truth” is only a few pieces of the puzzle, but mishandling it has dire consequences.
As my friend said when asked if he believed in absolute truth, “Yes, but not absolutely.” The first and foremost rule in handing absolute truth is “Handle with Humility”. The essence of truth is perfection. The essence of our humanity is imperfection.
The thought that humility is the first step in safe handing of absolute truth does not give me much optimism. It does, theoretically, give Christians an advantage in handing absolute truth.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 – NIV
More to come, lots of questions. Still on the Journey
A picture of the Chicago skyline taken almost 60 miles away, is actually a mirage.
My previous posts on “what is true and real?” have been focused on spiritual belief, examining the “mirage” quality of my faith. I have not exhausted that subject but today I want to look at “what is true and real?” in the context of our deeply divided society.
Since watching the events of January 6 and listening to voices echoing sentiments of those who stormed the capitol, I have wrestled with anxiety and struggled to remain calm and resist the urge to vent. This post has been in the oven for a week or more. Every time I started to write, my mind was muddled, my thoughts so random that I couldn’t continue. Hopefully, my thoughts have marinated enough to make sense not just an echo of continuing outrage.
I have become convinced our answers to “What is true and real?”is what divides us. There is no question, those with whom I disagree believe their narrative is true and real. One principle which neither of us are willing to compromise … there can be only one truth.. leaves no capacity for empathy, sympathy, mercy, much less compromise. Being “right” justifies dismissal and condemnation of them. (just their views, after all I hate the sin not the sinner).
For those near, dismissal and condemnation is hidden, for others, my resentment, anger, disdain, hatred, is restrained by a costume of righteousness…the seams of which are weakening. Facts, data are useless in the face of self-certified truth. Bias, preconception, self-righteousness are fruits of our secular autonomous selves. I find few exceptions to that conundrum on either side. Unless we are willing to accept protracted conflict and further dismantling of our democracy and relationships, dismissal and demonization of “them” is not a viable option. Unfortunately, I am seeing more and more people willing to sacrifice any and everything to defend “truth”. After conversations and calmer reflection, I have remained steadfast in my condemnation of insurrection, violence and hatred. However, it would be a mistake to dismiss “them” in mass. As in all tribes and families, there are toxic people that must be dismissed and/or abandoned to proper consequences. Toxic people have such an outsized influence on our perceptions of the world, something as simple as blocking or unfollowing 5-10% of the people you used to follow, and checking the news once a week instead of once a day, can be completely transformational for your day-to-day experience and general mood. Mark Manson
I want to believe the solution is simple… truth is truth… so what’s the problem? Absolute truth? For most of my life I held an uncontested belief that truth is absolute. A belief supported by unexamined assertions of my religious education. For example: “All truth is found in the Bible.” “… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “the Bible is inerrant and infallible” Armed with confidence that “truth is absolute” any … inherited, discerned, or taught truth was indisputable. I was a willing to defend truth at all costs. When you believe you have the truth and truth is absolute. there are no limits. Are you sure it is true?
