St Jerome | Sacred Scripture

VERITAS ~ Truth

The Lion ~ King of the jungle. He stands alone. Don't fight him. No need to defend him.

Let's take our first step with one of the greatest saint, theologian, and bishop of Christianity

Let's first put some things into perspective to grasp the magnitude of the subject matter at hand. Consider this:

Earth, our "home", the center of our solar system, center of the Milky Way galaxy of over 100 Billion stars, 100,000 light-years across, traveling 1.3 million mph through space.

The closest star ~ Proxima Centauri is 6 trillion miles away. We see by photons traveling through space at 186,000 miles/second. It takes 4 years to get to our eyes.

Scientists claim say there are 200 Billion galaxies in the "known" universe. This doesn’t even account for other planets, moons, and asteroids orbiting in space around all these other stars and galaxies. The word infinity comes to mind.

Assuming that’s it’s real, just these few things beg many questions.

"Who or what maintains this seeming unfathomable expanse of cosmic bodies traveling at incredible speeds possibly and supporting various life forms?”
“How could all this working in harmony come into existence by blind chance?”
“If by design, what could possibly be the ultimate purpose behind all that exists beyond earth?
“What part will we play in all this?”

BACK TO EARTH:

The bar-tailed godwit bird (Limosa lapponica) has the record flying non-stop for 7,000 miles from Alaska to New Zealand without stopping for food or rest.
Some Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis) can live to 200 years.
The Great Basin bristlecone pine tree (Pinus longaeva), named Methuselah, for good reason, located in the White Mountains of Ca. has been around for almost 5,000 years. (I saw it)
Some sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) travel the oceans for 60 to over 100 years.
The African cheetah's top speed ranges from 65 to 75 mph to catch a gazelle for dinner.
Bats use a "kind of radar” to navigate and find food in the dark with uncanny precision to determine the size, shape, and distance of objects, including insects and obstacles, long before Robert Watson-Watt in the 20th century. (who invented radar)
Honeybees work very well together building complex colonies with advanced architecturally sound structures and manufacture sweet honey, all the while helping the planet facilitate plant reproduction through pollination which makes them crucial for global ecosystems. Their sting is a small price to pay.
We could go on for hours about the marvels of all living things on earth.

OUR BODY:

The heart, no larger than a fist, tirelessly pumps blood, lifting the equivalent of four tons of weight, one foot in just one hour circulating blood through over 1,500 miles of veins and arteries, some so narrow only a single blood cell can pass through.
The respiratory system has an intricate design intaking oxygen through nasal passages to microscopic alveoli, and expelling carbon dioxide to feed plants, all while performing other vital functions like warming and humidifying air, protecting against pathogens, and even enabling speech and smell.
The brain and nervous system: An unfathomable enigma.
- Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, allowing it to adapt to new experiences, learn new skills, and even recover from injuries. This is crucial for learning and development, as well as recovery from stroke or other brain damage.
- The Central Command Center: The brain, as part of the central nervous system, controls all bodily functions, including movement, thought, emotion, and basic life support systems like breathing and digestion. It receives information from the body and the environment and sends out commands to coordinate responses.

How could King David, who lived nearly 3,000 years ago know just how fear-inspiring and wonderfully designed and made we are? (Psalms 139:14 ~KJV)

Entire libraries of books have been written about the universe, life on our planet, anatomy, the physics, biology, and complex chemistry of all things known revealing unfathomable enigmas.

As sophisticated, intelligent, advanced as man is, an African runs faster, a small bat navigates in the dark by radar, bees accomplish great feats as a team, and a knurly tree in the desert of California has outlived even Methusalah, the oldest man to live less than 1000 years.

We marvel at the abilities of accomplished musicians and songwriters, artists and sculptures, writers, designers and skilled craftsmen, when we see the fruit of their labor. What takes humans nearly a lifetime to master these disciplines are instinctive with some humble birds, insects, and fish.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labor not, neither do they spin. Not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.” ~ Jesus words. (Matthew 6:27-29)

Jesus encouraged good, hard work. (Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 4:12)

As magnificent as these birds and lilies of the field are, none of the plants, fish, and animals on earth compares to mankind in Jesus’ eyes. He not only cares for man, we are the reason He incarnated, came to earth and willingly sacrificed His life for mankind. (Matthew 28:20)

*Important Notice: You will note there are many Bible verses highlighted in "BLUE" throughout. Right click on each instance and choose "Open link in new tab" and go directly back to this page.

WHAT'S THE TRUTH BEHIND ALL THIS?

Truth (veritas) ~ synonyms; reality, veracity, legitimacy, certainty, authentic, law, fact to name a few.

Antonyms: misunderstandings, disinformation, fabricate, deception, distortion, and, of course, lies.

"Evidence~facts" vs "truth" are similar but quite different in many ways. "Evidence~facts" may point to something, but until it's proven, it's not yet "truth (veritas")".

"Truth (veritas) is only verifiable through "evidence", while evidence is used to support or refute claims and is not always conclusive. Evidence can be used to prove a fact, but a fact in itself doesn't need to be proven; it's a standalone truth. Facts are specific, verifiable pieces of information, while truth is a broader concept encompassing not just verifiable facts, but also beliefs, values, and interpretations."

This may sound confusing and word semantics, but facts can only establish something as truth with evidence to back it up, otherwise it's heresay, as in, "take my word for it". Facts can be proven true or false with evidence, while truth can be subjective and not always verifiable. By definition alone, things are not always as they seem on the surface. Seldom are "truths" straightforward, cut and dry, black and white, as much as we may have a tendency to want to believe it as truth.

There are a number of ways to understand or perceive "the truth".

1.) Deductive reasoning: Evidence of facts can lead to a truth.

2.) Reverse reasoning: examine the opposite; if it can be determined something is not supported by the evidence, then possibly the opposite is correct leading to "the truth".

3.) Inductive reasoning: Subjectively by stating something is true, "the truth", we look for evidence to prove it, like trying looking at the box and then look for the pieces of the puzzle to see the picture emerge. Sometimes, however, having a preconceived picture or understanding in mind, based on what we think we know already, can influence how we put pieces together trying to establish "the truth". This will all become more clear as we move forward.

As 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 working toward seeing a picture emerge. This requires objective reasoning as we study each piece as they fit together. We don't modify pieces to make them fit our preconceived perceptions. We allow the "evidence" (pieces) fit together on their own until a picture becomes clear.

This same approach works exploring scripture as well. One doesn't need to be a scholar or theologian to fit these pieces together. Simply follow the facts, "evidence discovered.

*Important Notice: You will note there are many Bible verses highlighted in "BLUE" throughout. Right click on each instance and choose "Open link in new tab" and go directly back to this page.

This site deals primarily with "Christology", the branch of theology that deals directly with the nature and works of Jesus Christ, and His claim to be the source of all knowledge and "truth". Therefore, "...know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Jesus' ministry exclusively targeted the Jews first, the "truth" to make them free, aimed to free them from the old Mosaic Law covenant, free them from sin damnation, by entering into a new covenant with Jesus Christ, the foretold Messiah and follow Him. Jesus didn't force the Jews to do so, rather only invited them.

jews He was

Finding "the truth" isn't as simple as picking up a Bible and reading it one our own. Coming to an accurate understanding of what's in the Bible requires the help and support of Christ "appointed" apostolic teachers referred to in scripture as "bishops", overseers, "episkopos" in Greek. No one has the right, authority, or qualifications to appoint themselves as a teacher of apostolic words in holy writ. This authority was handed over to Peter and the apostles. (Matthew 16:18-19) The apostles were also bishops (magisterial overseers, and teachers) with authority to teach and manage the "flock of God". They received this authority on Pentecost when the Holy Ghost (spirit) arrived on them as Jesus promised it would. (John 14:16) "I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another "Paraclete", that he may abide with you for ever." (The '"Paraclete" here is the Holy Spirit, advocate, helper, and counselor), not just some nebulous 'active force' proceeding from God. The Holy Spirit is a personage with God's divine nature and purpose to carry out the Father's will. When the apostles received the spirit in the form of tongues over their heads, they received knowledge and understanding from God, the Holy Ghost (spirit). In turn, the apostles laid their hands on their disciples and so forth. Unless one receives authority "as a bishop" from Christ's Church, they do not have apostolic authority to go out and "teach". Preaching is NOT teaching. This is God's arrangements in His Church, not just any group referring to themselves as "a Church".

This is part of putting the pieces together of a puzzle, searching for clues as to how the pieces, the "facts" fit together with solid evidence. Just as we wouldn't accept just anyone who claims to be a doctor perform surgery on us, why allow ourselves to put our eternal life in the hands of laymen, amateurs, self appointed ministers just because they had some Bible classes and a nice personality. Again, Jesus established an order like His father in heaven. Though he accepted the message from Phillip and was sent to "preach", there's no mention the "Ethiopian eunuch" was ever appointed as a bishop of the Church in Africa. And there's no evidence he was "gay' either. Sometimes high officials would order servants castrated to become eunuchs to prevent sexual conduct among woman of the court so there were no mixing races or classes.

Finding answers requires also looking at history and tradition. The "evidence~facts" discovered along the way need to be proven as immutable, unchangeable, and truthful. Connecting these pieces of evidence together requires commitment, persistence, patience, and through the lens of scripture and Church tradition as Paul wrote at (2 Thess. 2:14), and not just any religious order has thev authority to teach scripture and apostolic tradition.

Like a scientist, seeking the answers requires being devoid of feelings of attachment to the outcome. A theory is just speculation until it's measured against empirical evidence and proven. Scientists must have an open mind as they explore the facts before they arrive at a conclusion. This is especially the case with Christology, with Christ holding the key to the ultimate "truth", since He is "the word of God", "the logos". (John 1:1)

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 "evidence" based on experimentation in the laboratory. Turned out, Democritus was correct. Then in the 20th century, scientists discovered more ecidence of 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, "evidence~facts" emerge that demonstrated how Democritus only had partial knowledge of these atoms. Democritus didn't know what he didn't know "yet". We learn by questioning, searching, and accepting new "evidence~facts" as we discover them. If Democritus were alive today, no doubt he would acquiesce and accept the "evidence~facts".

It takes humility to recognize we don't have all the answers, even after years of knowledge.

Another approach discovering truth comes from learning that certain"evidence~facts" we accepted previously were incorrect and false, something most are not willing to accept or admit as Mark Twain said 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 "evidence~facts".

Another example is 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 to help people. 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 and conventional thinking that often misleads us, and to accept "facts" to arrive at "the truth"

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". You might think, wait a second, these "evidence~facts" are thousands of years old. How do we view what we read in scripture as newly discovered "truths"? This is what we'll discover together.

The first question to consider is, WHICH BIBLE? Does it matter? Let's apply the principles of science by following the "evidence~facts". This is developed on the next page; "Biblia~Bible".

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.

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 we'be come in contact with over the years. No one was born with the knowledge of God. And no one picks up a Bible, reads it on their own and fully understands it. Someone explained it to us. Once we hear what someone told us, we have a choice to believe it or not. If we trust and accept the explanations and believe them, the tendency is to only then see and hear from that point forward what supports that belief. But the people we've relied on for these understandings received it from others, and so forth. Wouldn't it be best to trace back where these beliefs started? Who can we trust?

Something else to contemplate: If you've ever played chess, imagine making a move that cost you an important piece on the board, a knight, a bishop, a rook, or the queen, resulting in "checkmate". Now "WHAT IF?" you knew ahead of time what would happen so you could make an alternate move to avoid loss. Wouldn't you take advantage of that knowledge? Aren't we all given this same opportunity with what Jesus taught? All He asks is that we follow His directives when faced with choices.

Remember the Indiana Jones movie, Last Crusade", when the voice of the imaginary middle-ages knight in the cave said to Indy when given the choice between sevaral cups to drink the healing water, many looked fine, but only one was the "holy grail", the cup that Jesus supposedly drank from, in order to save his father (Sean Connery in the movie). The knight said, "Choose wisely my son." wi t

Ask yourself; are you sure you're drinking from Christ's cup? How would you know? Keep reading.

THINK ABOUT IT:

If we're basing our knowledge and beliefs in "Christ om just the Bible, how do you know the one you chose is from the cup Jesus and the apostles drank from? The challenge is that there are now over 4,000 different versions or translations of the Bible in circulation. Which one can we trust to be the closest to the "original"? Are they all the same? Then why the need for so many? Or are there things missing, added, or changed in many of these translations that are 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. Wouldn't it be wise and safe to rely on the most accurate translation of the scriptures in existence today?

The next page is crucial.

"the Bible", but which Bible?