True Truth . . . take it or leave it.

I am a propositionalist—that is, I believe that theological truths can reasonably be proven to be true thru the eyes of faith. Reason, however, is never the final test. 

This I say, because as Chesterton once remarked:

“All that an insane man has left is his reason.”

This brings us logically, then, to the conclusion that one must start with the proposition that the foundation of truth is axiomatically true. Now, this is not a play on words, either. Give me time here, and I’ll show you.

First of all, all truths about truth is circular, that is, first the proposition, then the assertion, followed by other assertions that, when followed sequentially, always circle back to the original statement of truth. To put it in a slightly different form, we may say, that each step in any sequence of true statements must be absolutely in synch with the original statement of truth. This, Francis Schaeffer called: “true Truth.” Again, not a play on words, but an absolute necessity.

Problem is, some of our dear Evangelical friends limp along with half-truths, thinking that they have the full truth each step of the way. Nothing could be farther from the truth, either. For instance, some of these dear friends insist that we must live by faith, and insist that as a matter of fact faith in Christ is what saves us. Belief in Christ is thus treated as a kind of catalyst that sparks and maintains eternal life in us—unfortunately, they fail to understand the ingredients in faith. They think faith and belief are on the same level. Not so. With true biblical faith belief is only one ingredient, good works is also required to help round out the definition. As the New International Version puts it: 

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6 NIV)

James says much the same. For we read:

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. (James 2:18 NIV)

Again, this was not a play on words by James, he was dead serious. However, all James was saying is what Paul was saying, that is, the thing that counts is that faith must express itself through love, or it is not faith at all. Friends, there is no hollow faith, intellectual, or otherwise. You may never defend your faith without demonstrating it, either.

Recently, I was talking to a good friend of mine who happens to be the General Superintendent of one of the largest national bodies of Assemblies of God believers. He spoke of a certain visiting pastor who came to the Superintendent’s country, and in a public display on several occasions ridiculed some of the most beloved elders in the country. I wasn’t there, but apparently it really got vicious more than once. Finally, the pastor was asked either to apologize publicly or leave. He chose to leave. However, following that, every time my friend met the pastor outside the country, the pastor would throw his arms around him and in a deep sonorous voice say, “Brother, I love you, and your wonderful people!”

My national friend remarked to me, “Boy, it would have really been nice, had he shown it before.”  Truth is, the pastor probably liked most of the people, but it is doubtful that he really loved all of them. At least, he hadn’t shown it.

Faith doesn’t work like that. For one to have faith, one must love; and, to love, means to show it. That’s faith. The full circle of faith.

So, for one to insist reasonably that they have faith, without showing it, is impossible, and only a half-truth. Unfortunately, there are no half-truths with God. For something to be true, it must be true in every arch of the circle.

Now, may God give us the wisdom, and the courage to understand truth and act upon it as necessary.

Faithfully yours, in truth, 

 JimR_/