The Death Of Truth
Mark Wingfield has written an important article at Baptist News.
“We now live in an era where regard for the truth is approaching imminent death. Truth cannot die, but acknowledgement of truth can die.
As I previously noted in another column, Trump’s threat to prosecute legitimate journalistic enterprises for not telling a story the way he wants it told, the way that favors his false narrative, is absolutely one of the most dangerous things that ever has happened to American democracy.
And what is most disastrous is that this betrayal of truth was facilitated and encouraged by evangelical Christians. There is no way to overrate or overstate the fact that it is the very people who claim to know the truth, the very people who four presidential administrations ago said they were absolutely concerned about “absolute truth,” who have capitulated entirely. And why? To feel like they’re still in control as the world changes around them.”
Honestly, this situation is causing me great despair…it should at least trouble you.
Some other links…
Four signs you need to find a new church…
Thoughts on digital libraries in 2025...not a big fan of Challies, but he and I have similar outlooks on this…
31 % of evangelicals did not give to church or charity in previous year…
How a book club taught me to live and die…
Such bull….
What was early Christian worship?
Two Christian men died recently…what they had in common was that other Christians condemned both to hell…
Jimmy Carter at the judgment seat…
Richard Hays, who wrestled with the moral vision of the New Testament…
It is a terrible thing to me that two men who served God openly and faithfully are condemned by the same people who believe a man without a shred of Christian decency is their temporal savior…
I disagree with Hays conclusions about LGBTQ issues…I cling to a traditional Christian morality.
However, Hays body of work and his life lived in front of us puts my own to shame…
I am amazed by what people believe on both sides of the aisle, and that they will fight tooth and nail to make sure they are heard and found credible. Meanwhile, Rome is burning, Nero is fiddling, and the world is going somewhere in a handbasket very quickly.
i honestly don’t know what to do about it., except to cling to what I know is true about God and His Word. I know that I won’t agree on all things with all Christians, but if you are a fan of the creeds and believe that salvation comes through Christ, I want to be on your side, too.
I keep hoping I’ll wake up from the collective nightmare, but it may not happen. There is work to do for the kingdom, and that is where I hope to focus (the real kingdom!).
Linn,
After hearing the insanity about taking there countries by force, I’m staring at the wall wondering what I can do…or what I should do.
It’s like a bad episode of the Twilight Zone…
Michael,
My “prophecy”-
The great orange will implode on his first 90 days in office, or he will get a grip and actually start to govern.
One can make a lot of noise spinning one’s wheels, but then drive the car ahead normally.
Once the realities of government kick in, it might look a bit like 2017 again.
I’m not sure, but absolute truth seems to me to be a synonym for objective truth.
Christianity affords its adherents access to and submission to and salvation by absolute truth. Jesus said I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
The enemies of absolute truth IMO are higher criticism and other modern and postmodern “tools” which attempt to rob the truth of its absolute and transformative power to save souls.
“The enemies of absolute truth IMO are higher criticism and other modern and postmodern “tools” which attempt to rob the truth of its absolute and transformative power to save souls.”
Cue the fiddles…time for Hee Haw.
If that’s what you think is the objective of all higher criticism…you’ve never read any.
You need to be certain…it’s what drives all your theology.
I prefer honest and thoughtful and mysterious…
Certainty is not a need, but a gift.
Certainty is honest, thoughtful and often mysterious. It is a rock upon which a house will stand against the storms of life.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219886171
The Jack Hibbs article reminded me of an email I received yesterday from the pastors association in our city, (of which I choose not to partipate):
“Men, This is as bad as it gets. Please make the lunch meeting today at noon to hear more. In this document—already approved by the State, County, City of Coeur d’Alene and City of Hayden—gives power to the government to arrest us/you during a state of emergency (like bad weather, a pandemic, power failure) if you resist removal from your home. They can also commandeer your things, etc. We cannot allow this! I have retained two attorneys to work on this and have notified the city and county. They are aware.”
What does this have to do with Jesus?
I’m not surprised that you found Mark. I was his parent’s pastor for 9 years. They were wonderful.
PH,
They have no interest in Jesus…they are very interested in power and money.
Dread,
I’ve reached that point where I can’t seem to write anything coherent, so I’m blessed when someone like Mark does it for me…
@ Michael:
And if they achieved the power they crave, it would be as brutal a dictatorship as any the world has seen.
And money?
They already rake in tons of moohlah, tax free to boot.
https://www.salon.com/2025/01/07/why-mike-johnsons-fake-jefferson-prayer-matters/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Just got home from smoky So Cal. Opened my email and the pastor who heads up the area pastor’s association just announced he’s lined up Eric Metaxes to come to Coeur d’Alene and we should all be so excited. Oh yay.
PH,
Lucky you!
Condolences.
Michael,
Johnson seems to have also forgotten Jefferson’s cut and paste Bible, with all his least favorite parts removed.
Linn,
He knows…but they can sell lies to their fans…
I hold Metaxas in the same regard I hold Todd Bentley…
Michael, don’t insult Todd Bentley like that. 🤪
I warned off a friend whose recent interest in Bonhoffer, due to the movie, wanted to read Metaxas’ book on the subject. He wanted to know an alternative, superior biography to read. Recommendations?
Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Charles Marsh
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: by Eberhard Bethge
There is also a good class on Bonhoeffer on Tripp Fullers site…
fil,
What better source of Bonhoeffer, or anyone else, than to read what they wrote.