The Truth about Truth

Ashli Dehm

Mr. Lindow
British Literature
April 24th, 2015

One of the oldest debates the world has upheld, is the debate over
truth. Every nation, all classes of people, and nearly every individual has, at
one point or another, asked what is truth? Most can agree with the

Merriam-Webster definition that truth is the state or quality of being true,

but most can also agree that the statement is redundant. The definition gives
no real insight as to what truth actually is and means for humans. In an
attempt to give a proper response to this long-lasting question, many
philosophers have dedicated most, or part, of their lives to the study of truth.
Many books have also been dedicated to expressing the reality of truth. One
of the oldest collection of these books is the Bible, which explains truth on a
universal level, but through a faith-coated lens. Based on the intense study
of truth by philosophers, and what the Bible says, I have been able to
formulate a firm view of what I, personally, believe truth to be.
From a philosophical standpoint, there are many different definitions
for truth. Bertrand Russell, a philosopher of the 20th century, believed truth
finds its validity by corresponding to other realities. He went further to
explain that minds do not create truth or falsehood they create
beliefs. From this, it can be said that beliefs are dependent on the mind for
existence, but beliefs are not dependent on minds for their truth. The truth of
beliefs, therefore, may not always be known or completely understood.
Although Russell unashamedly proclaimed his agnosticism, I believe those
very explanations regarding truth allow the proper room within the logical
mind for the existence of a higher power, or God.
Russell also referred to the Coherence Theory of Truth when defining the
term, which says that a statement is true depending on how many, or few,
facts it is founded upon (Bertrand Russell, web)( Kim, web). One philosopher

whom I believe to have supported these definitions in, yet, a different way, is
Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis. Lewis mostly focused on
absolute truth. As a Christian who believed God was (and ultimately defined)
truth, he believed God was the only viable source. And because this Christian
God chose to allow His created people to have free-will, they also have
consciences. Consequently, C.S. Lewis believed truth came in the form of
moral law -- an innate part of peoples consciences. Now, the questions may
arise, how could Lewis support the idea that something is only true if it
relates to a reality (like Russells first definition suggests)? Especially if the
mind cannot create truth, as explained by Russell, because there is no way
to be sure of the reality of Christianity. Such circularity in the discussion of
truth is exhausting. However, it came down to the fact that Lewis believed
God, and the truth of the Bible, to have never failed Him. With such
prominent consistency, his beliefs were deemed reality. Furthermore, the
Coherence Theory supports this, as well -- truth needs to have a consistent
foundation for validity. And although such should be consistent with
indisputable truth, which many would argue Christianity not to be, once one
digs into apologetics and the Bible to the full and humanly-possible extent,
they will find themselves unable to properly dispute it. Lewis also believed
the usefulness of the truth found in the Bible was another way of proving its
legitimacy. Truth on any level, though, according to Lewis, required faith for
there to be any sense of absoluteness. If one could believe God as the

creator of everything, including truth, then truth could be found in Him

(Lewis 13).
The Bible is one of the most profound collection of books to have
spoken so boldly about the subject of truth. One of the basic claims of the
Bible is that God is truth, and anything that is from God, Himself, is therefore
truthful. The Bible is believed to be the direct and spoken word of God,
written by His chosen people, so it is entirely truthful. However, aside from
the overarching truth of the whole collection of books, the Bible makes
specific statements regarding truth. John 17:17 says Sanctify them [both
the believers and unbelievers] in the truth; Your [Gods] word is truth. This
statement expresses the idea that Gods word (specifically found in the
Bible) is a direct form of truth. Jesus, the son of God (who is, therefore,
perfect and holy like His Father), says in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. This verse
explains not only that Jesus was truth, but that such truth is the key to
salvation and having the confident hope of spending eternity in Heaven. In
Psalm 119:160, it says The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your
righteous rules endures forever. Truth is unchanging and does not adjust to
the wavering values of societies over time. Lastly, though not the last
reference to truth in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 says "Love is patient and
kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist
on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at
wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. From this verse, one understands

that truth is something to have joy over (English Standard Bible). This does
not mean that the truth is always easy to hear, but that its existence and
presence in the lives of people does more good than a lie ever will. In this
way, people can be confident that a synonym of truth (in this case), honesty,
really is the best policy. Although, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 doesnt necessarily
define truth, it helps one to understand how to recognize it, and what Christloving people rejoice in.
Because of the in-depth study of truth done by philosophers and the
words of God written in the Bible, I have been able to establish a more
coherent set of beliefs regarding truth. For a systematic way of
understanding truth, I agree with and refer to the definitions of truth as given
by Bertrand Russell and C.S. Lewis. Whenever wrestling with a simple
question of whether some statement is valid, I can go through a process of
looking at the foundation of it recognizing the presence, or lack thereof, of
firm facts. Interestingly enough, I find this way of determining truth to be
especially useful when listening to sermons, and double-checking the truth of
the message. I also believe truth to be, like Russell and Lewis, something I
cannot create, but something that exists regardless of my own existence.
God is actually and literally truth, and because of this I have no power to
ever alter its soundness. Ultimately, because of these things, I know that I
can refer to my God-breathed Bible to determine absolute truth and what
that looks like in my life. I have already learned that truth is honesty, and
exists out of Love, Himself. I know that truth is to be rejoiced over. Truth is

consistent and unshakeable. Truth is better than any lie. Truth brings me
salvation and eternity spent with my Heavenly Father. And in a world that is
suffocating with lies, Truth brings me hope -- like a breath of fresh air.

Bibliography:
Bertrand Russell." Bertrand Russell. Information Philosopher, n.d. Web. 7 Apr.
2015.
<http://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/philosophers/russell/>.
Kim, Oliver. "Three Different Types of Truth." TOKTalk.net. International
Baccalaureate Program, 9 Nov. 2008. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.toktalk.net/2008/11/09/three-different-types-of-truth/>.
Lewis, C. S. Some Objections. Mere Christianity. New York: Macmillan, 1952.
13. Print.