“What is Truth?”

Media Alert!

October 2023

BLOG #48

Sue Summers

MediaSavvyKids.org

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”  Romans 12: 2 (The Message)

“What is Truth?”

This question sends us back to the time when Jesus was standing before Pontius Pilate, awaiting his sentence.

“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’

‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.

Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’

‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him.’” (John 18:36-38, NIV)

Through the millennia to the present day, people continue to wrestle with this question.

The legal definition of truth is “the actual state of things”.

“In contracts, the parties are bound to tell the truth in their dealings, and a deviation from it will generally void the contract… In giving his testimony, a witness is required to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; for the object in the examination of matters of fact, is to ascertain truth.” (www.upcounsel.com /legal-def-truth)

The “actual state of things” is a description of reality. Facts describe reality. Opinions often describe imagined realities or reframed realities using the language of feelings that rises up from the person’s worldview. Most often, we are inundated by opinions masquerading as information.

Our sources of information might include social media rants, late night talk show hosts, podcasts, fake news, editorials, tabloids, talk radio, and often a variety of other less-than-reliable “experts”. It is a struggle to make sense of all that we see, hear, and read, and more difficult still to discern truth.

We assume that the Internet has the most far-reaching impact of any technology in today’s world, but let’s not rule out radio. Radio???

“Radio is listened to weekly by more than 3 billion people around the world. Radio reaches 92% of adults in the U.S. every week.” (www.soocial.com/radio-listening-statistics)

But how do we untangle conflicting facts and ideas that we see, hear, or read? In essence, the question becomes: “How do we know what is true?”

1. Select reputable sources. Every day, the news is shared through a variety of outlets. Determine which ones seem to be the most trustworthy.
2. Listen for bias. The use of slanted or emotionally-charged words sets a tone of opinion, rather than facts.
3. Take time to “fact check”. By checking the story with other sources, it is possible to determine if the information is reliable.
4. Determine whether the news outlet is sensationalizing the news. Watch for dramatic video footage that is merely meant to capture eyeballs.

We live in an age and culture where many want to claim there is no “absolute truth”. Some say, “you have your truth; I have my truth”, or “everyone has his own truth”. Since the age of enlightenment, we have been arguing over whether the Bible is the true and the inerrant Word of God.

The fact that we argue about truth is powerful evidence that we have an inherent need for truth.  We desire what I call the “Grid of Truth” that becomes the structure on which to base decisions. Without the Bible as this framework, life is a struggle with uncertainty, doubt, and fear, and a search for purpose.

“The very essence of your words is truth;
                        all your just regulations will stand forever.” Psalm 119:160 (NLT)

“This reinforces the idea that truth is not something that changes with time or society’s values but is something that is forever and unchanging. The truth found in God’s Word is something that we can rely on and trust in. What is true in the Bible is also true in reality. Many people in society try to bury what they know is right, so it’s important that we hold fast to the truth found in Jesus Christ.” (“What is Truth?”, peacewithGod.net)

Teens need a framework to rely on and trust in – one that can define parameters and serve as guardrails for the moral choices they make each day.

So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?

It’s essential that teens have opportunities to discuss the concept of Truth with adults who are in their lives. Use these activities to start the conversation.

• Share the controversy in our culture about whether the Bible is the true and the inerrant Word of God (incapable of being false). Ask, “Why do you think some people dismiss the Bible as unimportant or irrelevant? Are there advantages or disadvantages to dismissing Truth as the Bible describes it?”

• Ask, “Do you believe the Bible is really true? How did you come to that conclusion?” Share and discuss this 3-minute video on YouTube, “Is the Bible True?”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM7ny2K2zjQ

• Discuss the relevance and the importance of the Bible in finding purpose in today’s world.

• Ask, “Why do you think the Bible continues to be the best-selling book in the world?”

• Share this statement, “Since the beginning of time, God has been available for His people.” Ask, “Do you believe this is true?”

• Share and discuss this statement that Jesus made:

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, NIV)

• Ask, “What kind of freedom do you think Jesus is talking about?”

Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.

//

Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.

She is the Director of Media Alert!

Contact Info:

Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org

Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org

Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org

#MediaSavvyKids, #ChristianParenting, #ChurchAndCulture, #YouthPastors, #YouthGroupCurriculum, #HelpForChristianParents, #TeensAndCulture, #AChangingCulture, #CriticalThinkingAndTeens, #IAmNotDefinedByTheCulture, #WhatIsTruth?, #TheBibleIsTruth, #TheWorldsBestSellingBook, #HowDoWeKnowWhatIsTrue?

Join the movement!

“I am not defined by the culture^®” tee shirts are now available.

Navy blue, men’s sizes:

Medium – XL: $20

2XL & 3XL:    $23

FREE SHIPPING!

PayPal is now available for purchases at: www.MediaAlert.org

© Sue Summers 2023