Mere Cognition

What is truth? This question raised by Pilate, when Jesus Christ stood trial before him, exposed his own worldview. He lived in a world in which absolute truth did not exist. I think Pilate’s voice was dismissive and filled with disdain. I imagine he sneered in mockery, angry that Christ dared to speak with truth. Though he looked straight into the face of the incarnate Truth, he could not discern it. Pilate was like so many today, a postmodernist, but one living in premodern times.

What is truth? It is defined as that which conforms with fact or reality. It is genuineness, veracity, or actuality. In a word, truth is reality. It is how things actually are. Theologically, truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God. Truth is the self-disclosure of God Himself. It is what it is because God declares it so and made it so. All truth must be defined in terms of God, whose very nature is truth.

God the Father is “the God of truth” (Ps. 31:5; Isa. 65:16, NASB and hereafter). Jesus Christ is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In fact, He is “the truth” (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). Paul calls Scripture “the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Jesus prayed, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Everything about God is true. God always tells it like it is.

How valuable is the truth? Its worth is more “than gold, yes, than much fine gold” (Ps. 19:10). John Calvin says, “Nothing is deemed more precious by God than truth.” No one can be saved without the truth. Nor can anyone be sanctified or strengthened without it.