Spiritual Joy in an Uncertain World

Reconciling Truth and Fact Brings Spiritual Joy

Most scholarly assessments categorize the early books of the Hebrew Bible as legend, while fundamentalists consider them to be real history. Here lies the problem.

We consider that point of view to simply be a convenient oversimplification — a refusal by a person to do the hard mental work required to reconcile fact and truth, and to understand what they really are. Fact is what you get when you study science and history, and is the thing that gets refined when you learn new information that lets you improve your fact basis. Truth is a philosophical principle — also prone to refinement as new truths are revealed or envisioned.

There is no such thing as a "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" truth or fact basis for life. Those who want to believe there is such a thing are simply deluding themselves.

True spiritual joy emerges from the quiet study and introspection required to absorb deep truths, and to explore God's world to discover its treasures. This is not an easy journey, but one that requires time, effort, and discussion with others.

Seeking out Alternate Viewpoints Adds to Spiritual Joy

The search for truth and fact will bring you face to face with inconvenient truths.

_{This page was last updated on Tuesday, August 22, 2006}