Veritas ~ Truth
The Lion ~ King of the jungle. He stands alone. Don't fight him. No need to defend him.
Truth (veritas) ~ synonyms; reality, veracity, legitimacy, certainty, authentic, law, fact to name a few.
Antonyms: misunderstandings, disinformation, fabricate, deception, distortion, and, of course, lies.
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Facts vs "truth" are similar but quite different in many ways. Facts are specific, verifiable pieces of information, while truth is a broader concept encompassing not just verifiable facts, but also beliefs, values, and interpretations. There's that word, interpretations. Truth can be subjective and influenced by personal experiences, while facts are objective. Facts can be proven true or false with evidence, while truth can be subjective and not always verifiable. This is where the rubber hits the road.
There are a number of ways to understand or perceive "the truth".
1.) Deductive reasoning: Facts can lead to truth.
2.) Reverse reasoning: examine the opposite, if we deduce something's not right, a lie, the opposite is therefore, "the truth".
3.) Inductive reasoning: Subjectively state something is true, "the truth", then look for , "facts", t to prove it, like trying to fit pieces (facts) of the puzzle together to make a preconceived picture emerge. However, like the lion, Truth, "the truth" doesn't need to defend itself or need any further proof. This will become more clear as we move forward.
Like when we start putting a puzzle together, we begin with many individual pieces on a table and one by one we figure out how they fit together in a mosaic of pieces trying to figure out the picture that emerges. This requires objective reasoning as we study each piece as they fit together. We don't modify pieces to make them fit. We don't see the picture by just studying one piece at a time. We wait until we fir pieces togetherb one at a time until the picture surfaces. We need all the available parts, pieces, the "facts" to see the final picture, "the truth" of anything. We can't begin with preconceived notions in mind before we connect the parts. Sometimes we doesn't know what they don't know.
NoThis same line of reasoning should work with exploring scripture. One doesn't naeed to be a scholar or theologian to fit these pieces together. Simply follow His advice; "Seek and you will find" answers.
*Important Notice: Before going any further, please notice there are many Bible verses highlighted in "BLUE" throughout. Right click on each Bible verse notated, (Verse 1:1) and make sure you choose "Open link in new tab" so you can go directly back to this page. (Why Douay Rheims? Page 3.)
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Since this site deals primarily with "Christology", the branch of theology that deals directly with the nature and works of Jesus Christ, it's important to remember Jesus claimed to be the source of all knowledge and "truth", and that we must "...know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Notice Jesus said the truth WILL "make" us free. He was addressing the Jews. Why? They were given the opportunity first to accept and embrace the Messiah. This was "the truth" to make them free from the old Mosaic Law covenant, free from sin and death. He gave them a new covenant, a gift, a way to commune with God through God's messiah, through Jesus the Christ.
jews He was
Getting to "the truth" requires taking steps, like putting pieces together of a puzzle, searching for clues as to how the pieces (facts) fit together to find answers. The road map forward requires looking back into the history of the past to guide us into the future. The facts along the way are immutable, unchangeable, and consistent with reality. Finding and connecting these these pieces (facts) of this puzzle requires commitment, persistence, and patience, along with a willingness to look at things from perspectives not typically considered. Like a scientist, seeking truth needs to be devoid of feelings of attachment to the outcome. We need to have an open mind as we discover facts regardless where the facts leads to. This is especially the case with Christology, with Christ holding the key to the ultimate "truth", since He is "the word", "the logos". (John 1:1) More on this later.
Let's first consider an example of how to explore truth outside Christology, in the natural material world around us. In the 5th century B.C. a Greek philosopher, Democritus, coined the Greek word "atomos," meaning "indivisible" or "uncuttable". He theorized in his mind that all matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles, we now call "atoms". Ingenious, right? Where did he come up with this idea? Fast forward 2300 years later to the British chemist, John Dalton in the 19th century who discovered empirical "facts" based on experimental evidence, proving Democritus was correct. Then in the 20th century, scientists discovered there are even smaller subatomic particles; electrons, protons, neutrons, and even smaller particles then these within each atom; neutrinos, quarks, etc. We can't see these particles without highly sophisticated x-ray equipment. These new "facts" were discovered by maintaining an open mind to discovering previously unknown truths.. Atoms didn't change, but new knowledge, "facts", surfaced that demonstrated that Democritus only had partial knowledge or theories. Democritus didn't know what he didn't know "yet". We learn by questioning, searching, and accepting facts we didn't know before. If Democritus were alive today, would he acquiesce and accept these new facts.? It takes humility to recognize we don't have all the answers.
Another approach discovering truth comes from learning that certain things we accepted as "fact" previously were incorrect and false, something most are not willing to accept, thus Mark Twain's observation below. Yet this is how many fields of science progresses by testing and refining theories, sometimes leading to the replacement of previous misunderstandings with new facts.
Take for example the world famous scientist, Louis Pasteur who questioned conventional thinking at the time, the notion of Spontaneous Generation; that living organisms could arise spontaneously from non-living matter. Through careful investigation and painstaking experimentation, Pasteur was able to demonstrate that microorganisms require a source of life first, and cannot arise spontaneously. Pasteur discovered that microorganisms cause disease and he found a way to develop vaccines against cholera, anthrax, and rabies. "The truth" of science saved lives. What motivated Pasteur to pursue his quest? Turns out, he was a devout Christian (French Catholic) but he used "facts" based on experimental evidence to prove his hypothesis. What was considered "truth" (Spontaneous Generation) was proven false under the weight of evidence, new facts. We learn from this the importance of putting aside misinformation we may have been misled to accept as true, and consider another answer based on new facts.
Do the same principles and laws of science apply to "Christology"? Is "the truth" of Christ immutable, unchangeable? Most Christians would say "yes", based on "the Bible" . The question is, which Bible? Does it matter? Let's apply the principles of science by following the facts. This question is developed on the next page, "the Bible", Biblia.
Most Christians are familiar with the pejorative comment by the infamous Pontius Pilate who said to Jesus on the day of His trial, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Pilate wasn't asking a question to acquire an answer. Jesus knew the sarcasm in Pilate's comment, so Jesus didn't respond to Pilate. Truth doesn't need to defend itself. Truth simply "is". Truth is based on "facts". Jesus previously made it known to His followers, "I am the way, and "the truth" and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Though Pilate didn't know this doesn't take away from this reality.
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No sooner had Jesus made these statements did many Jews deny, in fact, condemn His claims, saying He was blasphemous and contradicted the Mosaic Law. In fact, many called into question Jesus' claims of divinity, that He and the Father in heaven are one. This stood in stark contrast to their monotheistic view "the Lord our God is one Lord", not two, or three. (Deuteronomy 6:4) But did Moses mean Almighty God was ruling the universe alone by Himself as one? Was it not Moses who also spoke of "us" and "we" in Genesis, as co-creators? (Genesis 1:26, 3:22) Let's follow the "facts".
Many claim that Jesus was simply the first born "creation" of God based on (Colossians 1:15). Was Jesus merely a "created" being in heaven who came to earth as a man, like some angels did? Again, let's follow the facts. When He assumed flesh as a man (incarnation), did He not acquired human nature becoming "fully man", and maintaining His divinity? When Jesus ascended back to heaven 40 days after He resurrected to sit at the right hand of His Father, was He "fully divine". (John 10:25-33)​
Think about it; Everything we've come to know and believe, was learned postnatally (after birth), from family, friends, school teachers, neighbors, public figures, and religious leaders of organizations we have come in contact with over the years. And just because we may find we have many things in common with other people and like them, does that in itself justify ignoring the truth of something though the facts don't support it? Remember, these same people, "friends, neighbors, etc." were also influenced by others in their lives, and so forth. It's not that all these people intended to mislead or lie to us. It's simply a matter of trusting in what we truly don't know just because others lead us to believe certasin things. And remember, again, Truth, "the truth", like the lion, stands on its own. It doesn't need defending, but it needs to be proven. We've been warned, "Put not your trust in our fellow man (or woman)." [Psalms 145:2-3] We can't direct our own steps." [Jeremiah 10:23] .
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If we're basing our knowledge and beliefs of "Christology", there is but one source of information Jesus Christ Himself taught, or at least spoke to His apostles while on earth or before He ascended back to heaven, "the Bible". Here's the next challenge; there are now over 4,000 different versions or translations of the Bible in circulation. Which translation of the Bible can be trust to be the closed to the "original" text 2,000 years ago? If they're all reliable, why the need for so many? Or are there things missing, added, or changed in many of these translation different from the original scriptures? We may think we're free to choose for ourselves, but what did Jesus Himself say? (John 17:3) Our "eternal" lives depend on following God's words as revealed by Christ. So, wouldn't it be wise and safe to rely on the most accurate translation of the scriptures as possible in existence today? . ​
The next page is crucial.
"the Bible", but which Bible?