Hailey Lentz Lancaster Bible College Undergraduate Norton Scholarship Sept 30, 2024 What is Truth? Oxford English Dictionary defines truth as “that which is true, real or actual: reality.” I would define truth as the declared existence of God spoken or unspoken. There is nothing more real, true, or actual than God himself. As a believer, I do not distinguish “my truth,” God’s truth, and the truth of the Bible, because I submit to the word of God. Put plainly, truth is whatever God says. Paul in 2 Timothy states scripture is “God-breathed,” then scripture is truth. Jesus testifies to himself when he declares “I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6.)” The person of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit behold the essence of truth. In Psalm 19, David passionately states “The heavens declare your [his] glory; the skies proclaim the work of your [his] hands, (NIV)” or interpreted as natural itself argues on behalf of the reality of God, and a good and creative God at that. By default, belief in God completely assigns all other truths the world offers as false. In C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, Lewis makes a beautiful defense of the reality of God. He begins by illustrating conflict, something everyone has experienced or witnessed at some point. He moves from the idea of conflict to acknowledging that everyone has a sense of “right” and “wrong,” no matter how subjective. Right and wrong or true and untrue reside in every individual. Believing that everyone is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27,) every person has longings and hopes. Individuals will seek those longings and hopes within their lens of “right” and “wrong,” or “true” and “untrue.” The Bible states two significant truths about the world and everyone who is not under the Lordship of Jesus. In 2 Corinthians, Paul clearly explains Satan is the god of the world we live in. Jesus, in John 8, explains that he is the father of lies. This means any truth the world claims to offer is tainted. On its best day, the world and its systems cannot give us pure truth, it will always be stained. To best keep ourselves discerning in this day and age, I have found it to be helpful to keep in mind a series of reflection questions when observing worldly “truths.” Is this truth supported by scripture? Does this truth align with the character and person of Jesus? Does this truth radiate Jesus’ greatest command to love the Lord and love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:26-40?) Is this “truth” encouraging individuals to act or believe in something Jesus died for? We must remain guarded as our enemy prowls like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) to deceive the unsuspecting. I will again recall that Jesus himself is the way, the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6.) Holding fast to that truth, the Truth, beholds great joy in trial and contains an invaluable eternal reward. Works Cited “Truth,” Oxford English Dictionary, www.oed.com/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024. C. S. Lewis, Lewis. Mere Christianity” Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe (The Law of Human Nature)” C. S. Lewis, Lewis. Horizon Ridge Publishing, 2024.