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Claim ID: BIB-IS14

Claim: God Reveals Truth

Summary: What God revealed is true. This is evidenced by creation, the prophets, the apostles, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Further, for God's truth is be true it must be transcendent, absolute, inerrant and infallible.

Description: The Greek word for truth is aletheia, which literally means to "un-hide" or "hiding nothing." It conveys the thought that truth is always there, always open and available for all to see, with nothing being hidden or obscured.

The Hebrew word for truth is emeth, which means "firmness," "constancy" and "duration." Such a definition implies an everlasting substance and something that can be relied upon.

God has progressively revealed himself throughout the ages. First, he revealed himself in nature. Then he revealed himself through the Old Testament prophets. Finally, God revealed himself through the person of Jesus Christ, his ultimate revelation.

Pilate's Encounter with God's Truth

During Jesus' trial, Pilate called into question both the existence and relevance of truth.

³⁶Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." ³⁷Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true." ³⁸"What is truth?" Pilate asked. (John 18:36-38 NLT)

It is clear from this dialogue that the truth of God is on trial. This is literally a "war of words" over the meaning of words such as truth, kingdom and power.

• Is Jesus the king of a celestial kingdom?
• Does he have power over all rulers and authorities (John 19:8-11)?
• Is there such a thing as transcendent, objective truth?

These questions have perplexed philosophers throughout the ages.

Evidence of God's Truth

The truth of God's revelation is declared by creation, the prophets, the apostles, Jesus and the Holy Spirit [BIB-EV96]. God's revealed truth is abundantly available for all to see.

Through the use of rational thought and empirical observation, we can assess the nature of God's truth [BIB-EV97].

Nature of God's Truth

God's truth must be transcendent, absolute, inerrant and infallible to be true.

• God's Truth is Transcendent - God's truth is rooted in the invariant nature of the creator God. Truth cannot be a byproduct of creation but must have preexisted creation. Therefore, truth must come from the transcendent being of God which exists apart from the created order of space, time and matter.
• God's Truth is Absolute - To be absolute, God' truth must be free of restrictions, exceptions and conditions. Therefore, God's truth must be self-consistent where all its constituent truths are devoid of conflict or contradiction. Many of these truths are exhibited in the fundamental laws of nature, mathematics, etc.
• God's Truth is Inerrant - Inerrancy (without error) is the assertion that the Bible is free from error. To be true, God's truth must be without error. There is no error of truth; no deceit; no fraud; no lies; no intention to deceive. Another way to define inerrancy is simply that the Bible tells the truth. (Psalms 12:6, Psalms 119:89, Proverbs 30:5-6, John 17:17, Matthew 4:4).
• God's Truth is Infallible - Infallibility (it cannot err) is a stronger word than inerrancy. But because God's truth exists apart from space, time and matter, it is not subject to change. Infallibility is the doctrine that the Bible cannot fail in accomplishing its purpose. (Isaiah 55:11)
• God's Truth is Eternal - God's truth is rooted in the eternal nature of God. Because God is outside of time, God's truth is timeless and immutable.

Because of these singular properties, God's truth is trustworthy.