The indivisibility of truth
This Saturday's classic Briefing extract is about the indivisibility of truth. It's from Briefing #8, August 1, 1988:
If we were to picture all the different things we know to be true as building blocks, what would they look like? Perhaps they would be like Lego: little interchangeable bits that we could fit together in many ways, sometimes using some pieces, and sometimes others. We certainly wouldn't need to use all the bits to make a successful building. Some Christians suggest that God's truth is like this: there are many different aspects to it, and we needn't accept it all to erect a successful building.
However, there are other kinds of blocks. My children have a jigsaw puzzle consisting of three wooden blocks. By themselves, each of the blocks has a strange almost bizarre shape, with no particular meaning, and no stability. When joined together, they form a stable and attractive kiwi. Only when properly joined do these blocks have any meaning and function; even two of the blocks joined together won't stand up.
Christian truth is like these kiwi blocks, not like Lego. The pieces are not interchangeable or irrelevant. Only when the total puzzle is assembled do each of the pieces assume their proper place, function and purpose. And only with all the pieces in place can the total picture be seen in all its truth.
Each of the truths of the gospel depend on each other. Consider, for instance, the following series of statements:
- Jesus is fully human
- Jesus is fully divine
- Jesus was our representative on the cross
- Jesus was able to make a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sins on the cross
- God's word is true
Far from being distinct or separate (and dispensable), these truths are interrelated. We cannot dismiss one and still retain the others. If Jesus was not fully human, how could he stand in our place as a representative? If he was not fully divine, how could his death be sufficient payment for sins? If God's word is not true, how can we put our trust in the Jesus that it reveals? To trust God is to trust his word, is to trust his Son, is to trust his Son's word ... and on it goes. These are not interchangeable, independent Lego blocks of truth. They stand, or fall, together. They are indivisible.
The indivisibility of truth has many implications. How does it affect, for example, our fellowship with those who agree on many things but deny or omit some of the truths of the gospel?
