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In 1949 George Orwell, with apparent prescience, wrote the now well-known novel 1984. A key theme upon which the novel is built is the role of truth and facts within a culture and the ways they can be manipulated.
While Orwell was off by a few years, I submit that we are living in such a time as this. Without elaborating on the details, I suggest that the prudent person can identify multiple examples of the kind of rejection and suppression of the truth epitomized in Orwell's novel. One piece of evidence in support of this assertion is that some will argue that the mere premise that there is objective truth to which we all are accountable is to be rejected as the vestige of something like "Christian Nationalism."
For the biblically informed Christian this should come as no surprise. God in his Word told us this has been so and will be so even more before Jesus comes again.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul began by explaining the power of the gospel to expose the sinfulness of the human heart, which therefore needs the forgiveness and transformation found in the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.
There Paul describes the sinfulness of the human heart as suppressing the truth (1:18) about God as our Creator (verses 19-20) by refusing to honor him as God or give him thanks (v. 21). Therefore, Paul explained, God has given mankind over to the lusts of our hearts because we have exchanged the truth about God for a lie (verses 24-25). Once again I submit to you that the evidence of this exchange of the truth about God for a lie is readily apparent in our culture to anyone with a modicum of discernment.
In an earlier letter to the Thessalonians Paul informs us that this suppression of the truth will reach pandemic levels prior to the coming of our Lord Jesus and the gathering together with Christ of those united with Jesus through faith in him.
Paul explained that "that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
I am among those who believe "the rebellion" refers to a mass departure from biblical orthodoxy coming from within the visible church. It is sad indeed when the rejection of the truth is found even within the visible church. But, in addition to this "rebellion" there will also be the exposure of one called "the man of lawlessness."
This figure is described by Paul as coming "by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." (vs. 9-10) Refusal to love the truth is the crucial factor that will lead to many in that day perishing, having been deceived by the "false signs and wonders" produced by this "man of lawlessness."
Just as Paul explained in his letter to the Romans, that God has given mankind over to the lusts of our hearts, so here too Paul explains that those who not only do not believe the truth but also have no love for it, but rather take pleasure in unrighteousness, will be sent a "strong delusion" by God so that they will believe the lies of the "man of lawlessness." (vs. 11-12)
It is important to clarify that this strong delusion will be sent to those who have already demonstrated themselves as having no love for the truth. But Paul also made clear that he knew those to whom he wrote in Thessalonica were chosen by God "as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (v. 13) Once again one's response to the truth makes the difference between perishing and being saved.
So how do you stand in relation to the truth? Is it something you love or something you reject? Is it that upon which you have staked your life and are eager to defend, no matter the cost?
Conservative Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph Strickland opened a recent event with these words: "Most of us will not be called on to shed our blood. We need to live our martyrdom. We need to be audacious enough to speak the truth."
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Pastor Doug Packard of First Baptist Church, Lock Haven.