What is Truth

John 18:37-38

Introduction:

After the 911 attack, like a frightened child recoiing to his father or mother, Americans have recoiled back to relationships and religions.

We have seen how unreliable material and physical resources are. In a matter of less than two hours, on 9/11, our faith in financial prosperity, military might and freedom were shaken to its foundation. We reevaluate our lives and conclude that relationships are more important than any thing else. Individuals turn to family and friends. Family life becomes more important than financial success. Fathers are calling their children to reconcile. Couples are putting their divorce proceedings on hold.

We have also recoiled to our religious roots. We turn to something greater and beyond ourselves. Sales of bibles have gone up, so does church attendance. Many communities have held prayer meetings. Houston city had a prayer meeting inviting clergy of all faiths to come and say a prayer.

We certainly welcome the priority one places on relationships. But how about the religion aspect? When representatives of different religions come together, it shows our need to turn to someone higher than us. However, where do we go from here? Are all these various religions similar? Is Christianity the same as Buddhism? Is one of them true? Or, do we need to think in terms of absolute truth? Can we and should we be more open-minded and be all-inclusive? It is important and necessary that we are tolerant towards those who are different from us. While being tolerant, are we ready to sacrifice the notion of Truth?

For many years, I have been intrigued by Pilate's question: "What is truth?" Jesus was arrested and being tried. Pilate was the governor of Judea and presided over Jesus' trial. He could not find any fault with Jesus. Pilate's wife had warned him to leave this Jesus alone. Pilate being very curious, wanted to find out more about him. So here, we have Jesus telling Pilate his mission. "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked.

The word "truth" means that which never changes. It does not contradict itself. It is the objective standard by which everything else is compared and measured. If one religion is considered the truth, then any other religion that contradicts it is not true. It is independent of my personal and subjective experience.

There is something very basic behind Pilate's question: "What is truth?" That is, he recognized the existence of Truth. You see, if there is no truth, then one would not be asking, what is truth? Pilate's question presupposes that there is truth. When was the last time you heard a discussion on "Is there objective truth"?

I. The disappearance of absolute Truth.

Back in the 20's and 30's in America, there was the basic assumption that objective, absolute truth exists. For example, if Christianity claims to be true, the only way to the creator God, then other religions will not be able to make the same claim. In those days, you could carry on a meaningful discussion with the average person on what behaviors were right or wrong. Society in general agreed on certain standards of behavior. If you talked to someone on the street about sin, he might not agree with you, but he understood you.

Slowly things started to change. First in the art and then in the philosophical arena. There came the idea that there was no objective truth. Life was a series of subjective experiences. Personal decisions, whatever they were, were the source of meaning and significance. No one could say this was true, right or wrong anymore.

Then beginning in the late 50's and 60's, changes became more obvious. People, especially the youth were asking: "is there truth?" Pop music and movies reflected such a mentality. The adults thought their children were challenging their authority, that they did not agree with the adults' standards. But in fact, they were not just asking what is right or wrong, they were challenging the very foundation upon which one decides what is right or wrong. They were asking: "Is there objective truth" at all? Is there really an objective standard by which we measure and judge all else? The conclusion was that there was no more absolutes. Human reason cannot lead us to any absolute truth. It was all relative. Consequently, you have the free speech movement, public usage of foul language became a matter of fact, there was free love and sex. All religions are equal and to be tolerated by all.

Recently, a survey was taken among 4000 Christian teenagers from 40 different major denominations. About 50% of them do not know if there is objective truth. This is why its so difficult to talk to youth or anyone about right and wrong. For we have lost the foundation upon which we can discuss what is right and wrong. We have lost the conviction that there is absolute truth.

II. Consequences of the disappearance of truth.

What happens when the foundation, the existence of truth is shaken or destroyed? Ravi Zacharias in an excellent sermon suggested:

1. The appearance of many truths. When there is no absolute truth, then all we have is many truths. Christianity is truth, so are Islam, Buddhism, New Age movement, Satanism, Mormonism and Fa Lun Gon. Christianity is one of the religions. We accept that these religions are different. If you believe in it, then its truth. There is no need to claim that one is above all, for there is no more absolute truth.

What does it mean to us? When we talk to someone who believes in the existence of absolute truth, we can debate, discuss and prove that Christianity, the Christian God, is the absolute truth. But to someone who grew up in an environment with no absolute truth, it's all truths, then we will not even be able to carry on a discussion with him/her. All we can do is to point out how it differs from others. We can only compare the different religions and belief system. We are reduced to comparative religions.

2. The loss of morality.

When the concept of absolute truth is gone, besides the appearance of many truths, there is also the loss of morality. Every major culture and civilization has its own moral codes. The Chinese probably had the most complete and extensive moral codes. They dealt with human relationships and personal ethics. From the famous 4 Classics, Confucius talked about the need to stay on the middle road, don't go astray to the left or right. There were also codes that governed how we should relate to one another. Harmony in the society was of prime importance. There was the basic assumption that there was an absolute and objective truth which forms the standard by which behaviors were measured. This has been in the Chinese culture for over 2000 years. Many of us are still deeply influenced by it.

The Hebrew culture built its moral codes on the creator God and all that he had revealed to men. There are so many similarities we can find between the Hebrew and Chinese cultures. Because there is the common recognition of the existence of truth.

Historian Arnold Toynbee wrote, "The western civilization is the first in 21 civilizations that is attempting to go by assuming there is no moral law. There is no absolute standard and objective truth.

Therefore, there is no more moral codes, no more basis for objectively deciding what is right and what is wrong. All moral behaviors are now reduced to personal preferences. For example, when you go see movies glorifying violence, profanity and sexual immorality, it's not a matter of right and wrong, but are you ready for it? It's a matter of personal preferences. Who can say anything against that? If you are sexually active outside marriage, being dishonest, or engage in homosexual activity; it is not a matter of right or wrong, but preferences and choices by mature adults. They have chosen such a life-style. Likewise, abortion is a personal choice and preference.

You see, when the objective truth is no longer there, there can be no more moral codes. We have nothing to measure against. This is why it is becoming more frustrating and difficult to discuss moral and ethical issues. Its like I love chilly and hot food, talking to you who has no taste for it, and trying to convince you what restaurant has the best hot stuff. You don't care. It means nothing to you.

3. Loss of accountability.

When the foundation is shaken, when truth begins to disappear, then there is also the loss of accountability. When we study Chinese ethics, there is a clear sense of accountability. Confucius said, "Everyday we are to reflect upon three things: Am I loyal to whom I work for? Am I faithful to whom I befriend? Am I practicing what I have been taught?" We don't live in isolation, we are responsible, accountable to people around us. Now, with truth gone, I am accountable to no one. The senseless bombing in Oklahoma city, and the gas attack in Japan are blamed on the corrupt system. The event of 911 is blamed on American capitalism and its support of the Israel Government. The killing in Switzerland on Thursday was blamed on the moral decadence of the society. Or we can certainly blame our past and parents for what we are and what we do. Everyone except I am responsible for my behavior. I just do what I feel like.

4. Loss of charity.

Without objective truth, we become the standards by which we measure ourselves. What matters most is my personal interests. I have no obligation to people around me. Their pain and suffering are their problems. They have to tough it out. I have enough problems of my own. There is no objective standard telling me that I need to love and care for others. I'll be charitable when I feel like it. I'm my own boss. There is no one above me who can tell me what to do. The outpouring of donations after 911 can be explained by the realization its not just them that are killed and wounded, but a part of me is also being violated.

You see, when the foundation is shaken, when there is no more belief in the objective truth, morality, accountability and charity will all disappear.

III. Recapture the reality of truth.

Our society is saying that there is no more objective truth. All is left is relativity. But really? Does it fit our reality? For example, you went to see a movie that glorifies profanity, violence, and sexual immorality. You are mature enough to see it. Now coming out of the theatre, someone starts yelling profanity at your face, how would you feel? Someone starts beating and kicking you, grabbing your wallet or purse, or sexually violating you. Do you just stand there and say that's his personal choice? Won't you be shouting, screaming and burn with anger? Why? Because deep inside you, you know there is a standard, you know something is wrong.

After 911, the entire nation is consumed with grief and a strong emotion of anger. Why such rage? For two weeks we have been telling ourselves how evil it is. We are angry because it is evil. Our belief in human being as the crown of evolution is completely shattered by such evil acts.

You know what? The moment we acknowledge the existence of such evil, we inevitably face the question of what is our reference point. Based on what standard do we claim this is evil? You see, the moment we say this is evil, we also unconsciously affirm and acknowledge that there is an objective and absolute Truth. If there is no absolute truth, then there is no evil. And for this reason, when we face the brutality and ugliness of evil, we turn to religion. Deep within us, we recognize the existence of Truth. There is that law of morality ingrained in us. Hard to shake it off. A true atheist is a very miserable person in the wake of 911, for he has no base to even claim that this is evil.

Let's return to Pilate. Pilate knew there was truth. There was a standard somewhere. For he was troubled by this Jesus. He knew that Jesus did no wrong. He wanted to free him. His wife also warned him to have nothing to do with this Jesus. When he eventually decided to hand Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified, he washed his hands to shrug off his responsibility. Inside him, he knew there was a standard, and he might have done something against that standard. But he didn't know what it was.

I always wonder what would have happened if Pilate after asking "What is truth?" had stayed a little longer to hear Jesus' response. It might have made all the difference in the world. How do you think Jesus would have answered? "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,...."

You see, our experience and inner common sense, points us to the fact that Truth does exist. And Jesus' words call our attention that he is the truth. For Jesus to make such statements, he is either the greatest liar or he is indeed the son of God, he is God and he is the Truth. If we know him, then we know the Truth. The words that come out from him, his teachings then become the objective truth by which everything else is to be measured.

Conclusion

In yesterday's Washington Post was an article about people seeking solace in prayer after 911. It read that in the aftermath of 911, we realized that to go on believing this upside down world is the only reality is just too disorienting and disheartening. Suddenly it becomes important to think there is another reality where all is peace and order. And usually that means God, or some form of god.

This partially explains all those religious activities. There were prayer gatherings everywhere; on the Capital Hill, in the White House, at Yankee Stadium, the Mosque in Virginia, Houston City Hall and in the schools. ACLU was not even complaining.

However, did we notice that in the midst of these activities, something is missing? A lack of conviction. If this happened 40 years ago, one would be hearing individuals calling upon the creator God, the Judeo-Christian God for comfort and strength. But to day, there is no such conviction. We can only appeal to someone who is greater than us. Many of the prayers sounded hollow and superficial. We are not even sure if our prayers are heard.

The news article writes about an account of a lady in Washington. On that Saturday evening she knelt before her nightstand and prayed, saying, "Oh God," then 'Dear God?", then "you here?"

We have heard the big bang, and we recoiled back. And to many it was back to a void. In the midst of such sorrow and anger, the feeling of being violated, we need to come back to the God who can truly comfort us; to the one who has created and formed us, the one who is with us in the midst of fire and waters of life.

In the midst of such evil, we are to hear that still small and firm voice, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."(John 16:33) "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to my father except through me." This is the God, the true God that we are to recoil back to.

Rev. William Hsueh   Sep 30 , 2001    Houston Chinese Church,  Houston, Texas