Opus 6, Whom Do You Believe?

I keep hearing about how knowledge is increasing geometrically.  There is just too much of it.  Add to that the internet and a world where “google” has become a verb.  This really doesn’t bother me.  There are a number of reasons.

One piece of comfort I take is that most of the “new” knowledge is totally useless to any normal human being.  It really doesn't matter how many snowflakes fall in an average snow storm.

I also rest in the knowing vast database is something I can research and don’t need to remember.  I really don’t need to have all the ingredients in an exotic pasta sauce in my memory.  I can look it up.

I can also go to “authorities” and “experts” if I pick wisely.  The key here is picking wisely.  My source needs to be someone I can trust.  Certain indicators tell me how far to carry someone’s water.  How many of us would accept the word of a politician or a used car salesman?  What if it were a Marine Gunny-Sargent who was also a deacon at your local Baptist church?  I know who I would believe.  Why?  Because of the basic value system of the Christian soldier.

Start with the soldier.  He belongs to an organization that is strong on honor, integrity and loyalty.  When you are in war, lies can get you killed.  When you work close with a group of soldiers you must develop a certain trust.

How about the adjective.  Why would I trust a Christian?  A true Christian believes the Bible is the inspired word of God.  They may have different understandings of how it was inspired but they agree that God had control.  When they look at the book of Revelation they see a very clear statement:

(Revelation 21:8 KJV)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Notice that little phrase in the middle of the verse:  “all liars.”  Notice the fate of liars.  They are thrown into the lake of fire.  That can’t be good however you interpret it.  God does not like liars.  So a person who believes the Bible, has a real incentive to tell the truth.

On the other hand you have people who believe that everything is relative, that there is no absolute truth.  They are always saying things like, “That depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is.”  For many people truth is whatever advances their agenda.

So am I going to believe a post-modern relativist who has lied to me repeatedly or someone who believes if they lie to they will spend eternity in hell?  It seems like a no-brainer to me, but I tend to be one of those people who believe in absolutes.