TRUTH
The Lion ~ King of the jungle. He stands alone. Don't fight him. No need to defend him.
Where can we find truth, or "the truth"? Truth may be difficult to find or identify if we pursue it with preconceived ideas, conditions, or intent. It's best to maintain an open mind and follow the "facts". Facts are universal, constant, and immutable. But it takes patience to search, discover, and consider the facts before coming to a conclusion in pursuit of "truth".
Take for example, something as simple as "matter". In the 5th century B.C. the Greek philosopher Leucippus first conceptualized "atomism", that all matter is composed of basic particles he called "atoms". 2300 years later, the British chemist, John Dalton in the 19th century proved Leucippus's theorem correct and the modern atomic theory was born based on experimental evidence. Then a hundred years later, scientists discovered that even smaller particles within the structure of each atom exist; electrons, protons, neutrons, even subatomic particles beyond these with additional more advanced experimental apprentice and modern techniques. Discovering new facts merely supported "the truth" theorized from over 2300 years previously. Truth is immutable. It doesn't change.
Do the same principles of truth follow when we explore "Christology", the branch of theology that deals with the nature and works of Jesus Christ. Is "the truth" also immutable, unchanged?
We've heard the perjorative comment by the infamous Pontius Pilate who posed that same question to Jesus during His trial, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Rather, this is posed as an honest-hearted question to consider, "What is truth?" We notice, Jesus didn't answer Pilate. Truth doesn't need to defend itself. Truth simply "is". Truth is based on universally accepted "facts".
Jesus had already made it known to His disciples and perhaps Pilate already heard it from others when Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me." - (John 14:6)
Some claim that Jesus was simply another created man, son of man, a great prophet, a spokesman of God, like Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc., first born of all creation of God, pointing to (Colossians 1:15). Is that all Jesus was/"is", a creation of God, like the angels? Is this "true"? Let's continue to explore.
These same people admit Jesus was fully "divine" before He became a human. Only then did He acquired human nature becoming fully man, and when He died, ascended back to heaven, He then was both "fully human" and "fully divine" to sit at the right hand of His Father. This too will be continued on the following pages.
These are just a few examples of what it means to truly "study" scripture in an exegesis (Meaning: a critical interpretation and a systematic study of the text's original meaning, its historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts. It' helps ensure a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the text, avoiding misinterpretations and personal biases.") This is a tedious and time consuming process, but necessary to arrive at an accurate understanding. Why?
Since we have no other record of Jesus' own comments aside from what His followers wrote in scripture, we must insure that among 4000 translations after Jerome's original Latin Vulgate, we have the correct and accurate understanding of Jesus teachings. The writers themselves indicate that they were "inspired of God", even though these records were not completed until after Jesus died, some well into the second century, sall these scriptures were not compiled and translated until the end of the 4th century. Does that raise questions? It should.
Let's take for example the "Pentateuch" or "Torah", the first five books of the Bible, attributed to Moses as its sole author. However, most ancient Rabbinical scholars and early Church fathers have concluded, based on extensive research, that there were others who co-wrote parts of the Pentateuch. Exploring the details of that is beyond the scope of this site. But if this is true, it begs the question, were these others "inspired" of God too? What does it mean to be "inspired"? How do we know for sure who was and who wasn't? Were those who came after the writings of these books who commented and gave oral testimony also inspired? (2 Thess 2:14) Why is this so important? "All scripture is inspired of God". (2 Tim. 3:16)
In the 4th century the historian, scholar, and linguist, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, later renamed "Jerome" was called upon to translate ALL the original 73 canon books of the Old Testament and New Testament, including the "deuterocanonical" books into Latin, the common language of the Roman Empire at that time. Many of these writings, like the Pentateuch, were written on animal skins and papyrus in the original languages when they were first written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, centuries before. We need to remember too that the "new testament" writers and gospel accounts of Jesus were scattered in many areas around the middle East, some not completed until well into the second century, including John's writings of the Apocalypse completed in 95 A.D., but we have no record of when it was available. Jerome had to reach out to find where these writings were and then translate them into Latin. Jerome didn't even complete his task until 382 A.D. Think about it; since there were no printing presses (until Gutenberg invented one in the 15th century), nor any monasteries yet with monks and scribes to copy Jerome's work for centuries, what did Christians have to rely on to verify "the truth" like the Bereans who at least had the "Old Testament" when Paul spoke to them. All they had was oral teachings passed down by priests and bishops. (2 Thess 2:14) We all know what happens with word of mouth passing down from one to another without reference material. Or are to believe the traditions spoken orally by these priests and bishops were also inspired? There were no Bibles to reference yet.
And who had the authority to assign Jerome this task in the first place? Where did that person get the authority to be considered to give Jerome the permission to do that, and so forth? Who had the authority to decide which books were to be included as "holy writ", "canon" books of the Bible? (canon, coming from the Greek word, "kanōn", which means "rule" or "measuring rod")
These questions are not intended to undermine or cast doubt on anything, especially scripture. Rather, I'm trying to look at these matters objectively through the lens of skeptics and those who sincerely want to know the answers. As Jesus Himself said, "Seek, ask, knock." - (Matt.7:7) Wanting answers is healthy and right as Jesus said.
Jesus also said He would establish His Church at Pentecost in 33 A.D. with St Peter as its chief apostle to guide His followers in all things. (Matt.16:18)
The information herein are like breadcrumbs leading to sources of the matter on these subjects. I tried to organize it on a topical basis. Questions raised with information found to address things like:
1. Where did we come from? (See page 12 on science too)
2. Why are we here?
3. What does the future hold?
4. Why is there so much wickedness and corruption on earth?
5. Who has the authority to address these questions with reliable truthful answers?
The fundamental source of truth and authority on Christology can only come from the Bible".
On the question of "Where did we come from?" [Genesis 1:1] says, "In the beginning God created heaven and earth." Any alternative relies on as much faith as belief in the Bible. It truly boils down to a matter of choice.
Scientists claim that there are over 100 Billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy and countless galaxies beyond this one. There's no way to know how many planets exist in the seemingly limitless universe. To traverse our galaxy alone would take thousands of years traveling at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second, if that is even imaginable. Either way, it takes faith to believe God did all this or to believe all this happened by blind random chance. (See page 12 on matters of science)
While many prefer to be given a short pithy answer to these complex questions, but the fact is, there are no shortcuts or easy answers. One must be willing to take the time to delve in and search for the answers and be honest with the outcome.
Many choose to believe in the alternative that we got here by chance and evolution. Many of these same people have not even read Charles Darwin's books; "The Origin of Species", etc. These same people who turn their backs on the Biblical account of creation never read the Bible. Often times certain "facts" based on observation, study, and experimentation are ignored or disputed because the facts disagree with their chosen beliefs. This is reminiscent of Mark Twain's observation.
Think about it; Everything we've come to know and believe, was obtained postnatally (after birth), things we learned from family, friends, school teachers, neighbors, public figures, and even religious leaders. These same people were also influenced by others as well, and so forth. And it's not that these other people intended to mislead us, because they too were misled in an endless cycle, generation after generation. We've been warned this would happen, "Put not your trust in man, in whom there is no salvation." [Psalms 145:2-3]
It's no wonder we were also warned, "... the way of a man is not his ... to direct his own steps." [Jeremiah 10:23]
We have been given freedom of choice. Choose wisely. How? (John 17:3) Gain knowledge of God.
Since this site is only an outline, I don't delve too deeply into any one point. If I did, each page could be expanded into a chapter of a book, which is not my attempt nor my authority to do so.
On the next page 2., let's examine some truths and authority of the Bible. Remain open-minded.