Gospels 4 - The Truth of the Gospels ...

Saturday, Dec 5, 2009. What is the truth of the gospels? How can we find out, what is true and what is not? Is there any possibility to judge today, whether the gospels are true or not? Perhaps part of them might be true, others not? How do we know?

The question of truth has moved people ever since. It is an important question. We deal with this question on various levels of our daily life. We have judges and courts to find the truth in many events, when thefts took place, when people were injured or killed, when accidents happened … then we have a

court case

and there is a process to evaluate the truth.

In

science

we are searching for truth. We collect observations. We then put these observations together in form of theories. Basic and advanced statements are recorded and then material is collected and arranged to support or disprove the statements. We have found that this process brings us closer to the truth. In the end, scientific truth has to prove itself by showing that it fits to our interaction with the world. A theory which sounds plausible, but its effects cannot be observed or experienced, does not have much value.

What is our approach to the gospels? How do we judge their truth? Jesus claims to be the truth himself, the way and the life. The events which are reflected in the gospels have taken place long ago. So we cannot go there easily to investigate the scene. We can no longer talk to the eye witnesses. But the gospels and letters of the New Testament have been written, to record what these eye witnesses have said, to pass on their experiences. That is one approach to judge the gospels. We can investigate these records. We can judge whether they are consistent and credible. It is a rather involved process to carry out such investigations. It takes time and effort and we cannot do it here right now. It is a process with many different opinions - where people came to different results over time and still today there is a hot debate going on, since the results depend heavily on the assumptions we use when we start our investigations. From my personal point of view, I find these texts to be extremely credible - a fascinating document shining like a huge pillar of light through the ages. But we will need to come back to this.

Another approach, which is as important as the historical investigation, is the practical use of the gospels. Can I find the effects they describe in my life? When I assume that they are right and when I live as they ask me to live, is it consistent with my experiences? Is it reflected in my reality? Does it work?

Since I started to fully believe Jesus, I have been astonished again and again, how true he was with all he said. All his words about forgiveness are just completely right and can be found everywhere in our daily reality. His speech about freedom is so compelling, so breathtaking - everywhere around me and in my own mind I observe that Jesus is right with his words about personal freedom. There are many such things to report, many more experiences which are fantastic - and they completely confirm the Christian faith. From my own life I can only report a complete yes to the truth of the gospels. And I need to add: please, have a look! Please go to Jesus and believe. There is a world to miss here … ... more texts