This document discusses the definitions and nature of truth. It provides definitions of truth as accuracy, propositions that can be true or false, and honesty. It then examines absolute truth in relation to existential questions and discusses different eras of thought about truth throughout history. Finally, it outlines characteristics of truth, including that it is revealed from outside sources rather than just realized internally, is universal rather than personal, is communicated through text rather than images alone, and must be applied holistically rather than compartmentalized.

1. Quid est veritas?
What is Truth?
How to deal with “the
Con of Man” or a Con-Man.

2. Definitions of Truth
• Accuracy: the quality of being
near to the true value;
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
• Propositions, statements,
sentences, assertions and beliefs
have been offered as appropriate
bearers of truth or falsity.
www.filosofia.net/materiales/rec/glosaen.htm

3. Definitions of Truth
• State of being true or accurate
or honest or sincere. Almost
completely unheard of in
politics, where it is used about
as often as a pair of Imelda
Marcos's shoes.
www.razza.fsnet.co.uk/oyfordttwo.htm

4. Absolute Truth answers:
• Who are we?
• Why are we here?
• What is our purpose?
• Is there life after death?

5. Eras of Thought
• Pre-modern – Mystical,
linked with creation.
• Modern – Empirical,
scientific, linear. Bastille
to the Berlin Wall.
• Postmodern – Not
universal, not objective,
not knowable. Berlin Wall
to Present.

6. Why is this important?
• Western Culture has moved away
from absolutes.
• People make decisions based on
feelings and other things, and not
truth.
• Much of the church has moved
from absolutes.

7. Why is this important?
• 3 For a time is coming when people
will no longer listen to right teaching.
They will follow their own desires and
will look for teachers who will tell
them whatever they want to hear. 4
They will reject the truth and follow
strange myths.
• 2 Timothy 4:1-4 NLT
• Judges 21:25

8. T – True not false
Nature of Truth
• Four tests for truth: Consistency,
Coherence, Completeness, &
Correspondence.
• It can be verified and validated
against a standard. It can be
evaluated. It can be tested
philosophically, historically,
scientifically, & practically. It matches
up with real life.

9. • Philosophically – Logically consistent.
• Historically/ legally/ forensically –
Beyond a reasonable doubt,
testimony, evidence, affects over
time.
• Scientifically – Scientific method.
Tests theories of things that can be
repeated and have predictable
results.

10. R – Revealed not just realized
Source of Truth.
• What is the basis of this information?
This cannot just come from my
feelings. Feelings are important and
valid, but they cannot be the basis for
truth.
• Truth must come from outside of
man.
• Psalm 19, Psalm 119

11. U – Universal not just personal
Scope of truth.
• It applies to everyone. It is true
regardless of location, culture, time,
etc.

12. T – Text not images
Medium of Truth.
• A picture is worth a thousand words, but it
still takes words to set the scene for the
picture.
• Propositional.
• Watch a generation’s words, and you will
see what they are doing with reality.
• John 1:1 Logos

13. H – Holistic not compartmentalized
Application of Truth.
• It applies to all areas. It is true at work, in
the White House, Court House, and at my
house.

14. Why learn about Truth?
•
•
•
•
It points to a person
It gives purpose
It sets standards
A life built on a lie leads to slavery and
self-destruction.

15. •
•
•
Don’t settle for answers, seek the truth.
Absolute truth is found in God (objective)
Truthfulness is found in the person
(subjective).
• Psalm 119:160, John 17:17 Your word is
truth.
• John 14:6