Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What is truth? Or sometimes I really want to use South Park as a sermon Illustration.
In the book of John there is a passage of scripture that has for a very long time resonated with me. We find Jesus in the last hours of his life standing before Pilate, who is questioning him about who he is and what all the fuss is about. In verse 37 of chapter 18 Jesus says, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." To this Pilate responds, "What is truth?" This is one of those sayings that stops me in my tracks every time I read it, because it really is the question that everyone, even if they do not know it has been asking and continues to ask. The asking of this question really gives the reader a glimpse into the cultural climate of the time. When the leadership starts doubting about where to find truth, people should start to worry. This is a question that I really connect with because through the years it is one I have struggled with. Like I have said before, I grew up in the Church. I had always took it for granted that I was right and the rest of the poor souls that were walking around who were unfortunate enough to not have grown up with the truth were pretty much doomed to hell, unless of course they were lucky enough to stumble upon the truth one day. Looking back I am realizing that this is a very narrow view of the grace of God. Don't get me wrong I still believe the basics. Jesus is God's son, he is the only way to heaven, and people need to hear that. But as far as my other pre-conceived notions about what it means to be in relationship God go, I am starting to realize that maybe they are not all true. Please hear me before you start sending me angry comments, I still believe baptism is essential, communion is essential, and fellowship with other Christians is essential I just think a lot of us are going to be surprised when we get to heaven and find out who our neighbor in the next mansion is, that's all. For the record I want mine to be beside Bill Murry (don't ask). But I digress, I look at the question Pilate gives to Jesus 2000 years ago and I find that I ask the same question only with a slight twist. Instead of "what is truth?" I find myself ask "Where is truth?" Here is what I mean by that. The other night I was watching South Park (yes that vile show that will send you straight to hell, but bare with me before you click the x on the top left hand of your screen). The episode was about the Jonas Brothers and the whole gist of it was that Disney sells sex by selling purity. The Jonas Brothers made a huge deal out of wearing purity rings, and since they did that parents would allow their daughters to go to the concerts where the dancing and lyrics of their songs were all sexually driven. After I was done watching that I thought to myself, "That is the best way I have ever seen the concept of Christians allowing themselves to jump on a band wagon with out researching it just because it had a "Christian" symbol slapped on it." My next thought was, "That would make a really good sermon illustration." And that thought was followed by, "If I wanted to get fired." This is a concept I have struggled with for awhile, I find truth from many different sources not just the Bible. Again before you send me the angry comments let me clarify. I believe all truth is found in the Bible and I believe that any truth that is found out side of the Bible is in fact in someway rooted in a Biblical concept. But here is my question. Do you believe that truth can be found anywhere? If so how do you feel about using that source in your teaching and ministering to others? When is it inappropriate to use a source even if it contains truth? Do Christians shy away to much from using "secular" sources of truth?
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About Me
- jondrms
- Virginia Beach, VA, United States
- I am a happily married 25 year old mess that God some how uses to do ministry. That about sums it up.
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