Tag: Truth

  • The ‘Outrage Paradox’-is not a problem. It is an invitation…

    The ‘Outrage Paradox’-is not a problem. It is an invitation…

    Why We Get Angry at Injustice If All Truth Is Just an Opinion.

    We love the phrase: “That’s your truth.” It feels open. It feels flexible. It’s the ultimate modern safety net.
    Everyone gets their own truth. It’s the new golden rule.
    But let’s be honest. It’s a lie we abandon the second we see real injustice.
    Imagine scrolling through your feed. You see that devastating story. The woman killed on the train. The senseless violence. The outrage immediately splits into two furious camps.
    One camp demands accountability: Why was this dangerous man released from prison? They are angry at the objective failure of the justice system.


    The other camp demands empathy: They argue the system failed the murderer, too. They say his history justifies his actions. They believe the only truth is that the criminal is the true victim.
    Here’s the impossible problem for the modern world: By what standard are you angry?
    If objective truth is truly dead—if the universe is just a random accident—then your outrage is meaningless noise. It’s a chemical reaction in your brain. It has no more universal authority than when you laugh.
    If all morals are subjective, then the murderer’s action is just their truth. The outrage on both sides is just two equal, competing feelings.
    You cannot logically demand an objective, universal punishment, or a universal demand for empathy for something you claim isn’t an objective, universal truth.


    It’s a paradox that leaves everyone exhausted and polarized.
    Academic experts even agree. The rise of polarization isn’t just about politics; it’s about “moral outrage.” Scholars found this intense combination of anger and disgust is what’s driving people to dehumanize their opponents online and commit to sophistry (just making bad arguments). The whole system is breaking down because we’re shouting about a moral code we can’t locate.

    The Echo of the Law.

    So, why do you get so fiercely, gut-wrenchingly angry at injustice? Why does that line feel so real?
    Because, deep down, you know the line is real. It’s not imaginary.
    Your outrage is not a random chemical spike. It’s an echo. It is the sound of a fixed, unchanging law bouncing off the walls of your subjective world.
    The Bible explains why this echo is so loud. It explains why you instinctively know right from wrong, even if you’ve never picked up a Bible.
    They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. — Romans 2:15 (ESV)
    The feeling of injustice—the fury that says, “This should not be!”—is not your invention. It’s proof that the work of the law is written on your heart.
    You have a moral standard built in. It’s part of being human.

    The Truth Is Not in the Way. The Truth is the Way.

    The problem isn’t that truth is in the way of your life. The problem is that you are desperately trying to live according to an objective moral law without acknowledging its objective Lawgiver.
    The truth you’re looking for—the foundation for your anger, the source of your demand for justice, the only thing that can end the outrage paradox—is not a feeling. It’s not a perspective.
    It’s a Person.
    You can stop listening to the echo and start listening to the Source.

    The Subjective Jail.

    Maybe you feel like you’ve found the solution.
    Maybe you think: Fine, I’ll stop worrying about the whole world. I’ll just focus on my truth. I’ll look inward.
    This is the great promise of the subjective world: liberation. No one can tell you what to do. Your feelings are the compass. Your perspective is the only reality that matters.
    Sounds freeing, right? It’s not.
    Absolute subjectivity is not a path to freedom; it’s a tiny, airless cell. It’s a subjective jail.
    Think about it logically. If all truth is only true for you, then you have instantly disqualified every single major truth claim you rely on every day.
    You can’t trust your memory. Was that conversation toxic, or does your mood make you believe it was toxic? If your feelings are the final authority, how do you judge a past event when your feelings about it change? You become a prisoner of your current emotional state.
    You can’t trust your relationships. If your spouse says, “I love you,” that is objectively meaningless. It’s just their subjective experience at that moment. You can’t build a life on a truth that might change before breakfast. You’re left constantly questioning.
    You can’t trust your mind. The core of absolute subjectivity is an old idea called solipsism—the belief that only your mind is sure to exist. When you reject all objective reality, you are forced back into the one thing you can’t deny: you exist. The rest of the universe becomes a giant projection, a film reel playing just for you.
    And here is where the isolation hits. You are the only one who matters. You are utterly alone. The world you see has no shared reality, no shared ground, and no shared moral compass. The outrage is paralyzing, and the isolation is absolute.
    You start to realize that the fight over whether the train murderer was failed by the system is minor compared to the fear that you are trapped in a reality only you can access. The search for truth becomes a desperate scramble to escape your own head.
    But we were not designed to be isolated, judgmental monarchs of our own tiny worlds. We are designed for shared reality. We crave community, cooperation, and love. None of that works without a fixed, shared truth that exists outside of your personal opinion.

    The Foundation of Freedom.

    This is why the anger you feel—the echo of the law written on your heart—is your escape key.
    The law written on your heart (Romans 2:15) is not a prison sentence. It’s a compass. It is the objective fact that points toward a solution that is bigger than your feelings and truer than your memory.
    When you look for the source of that objective law, you are led out of the Subjective Jail. You find the universal standard that:
    • Validates your anger at injustice (it was objectively wrong).
    • Provides a consistent standard for empathy (God is the only True and Righteous Judge of motive and action, right and wrong).
    • Guarantees shared reality (Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever).
    The Gospel is not the end of truth; it is the fix for the broken subjective compass. It is the one objective truth that sets you free.
    Question: Are you still okay being the sole judge of a world you can’t trust? Or are you ready to see the fixed, objective line that explains your outrage and frees you from yourself?

    Your outrage is telling you something.
    Not about your feelings.
    But about reality.

    Justice is real.
    Which means truth is real.
    Which means the Lawgiver is real.

    The question is not whether you feel outrage — you do.
    The question is whether you will follow it back to the One who wrote the law on your heart.

    Further Reading & Resources 📚

    I. Academic & Secular Sources
    For those interested in the psychological and sociological analysis of moral disagreement in the digital age, I recommend exploring the research that validates the “Outrage Paradox”:
    • Political Polarization and Moral Outrage on Social Media
    o Authors: Jordan Carpenter, William Brady, Molly Crockett, René Weber & Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
    o Source: Connecticut Law Review, Vol. 52, No. 3, Article (2021)
    o Focus: This article proposes a theoretical model explaining how “moral outrage” (anger and disgust at a perceived moral violation) on social media leads to affective polarization, dehumanization, and a decay of civil discourse—the very chaos we see in daily news feeds.

    II. ESV Scripture Anchors.

    To explore the concept of an objective moral law written on the human heart, and the historical solution found in Christ:
    Topic Scripture Reference (ESV) Purpose in Post
    The Law on the Heart Romans 2:15 Explains the Outrage Paradox—why humans instinctively know right from wrong, even if they reject God’s law.
    Objective Reality/Christ Hebrews 13:8 Guarantees shared reality and objective permanence: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
    The Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:17 Establishes the entire Christian faith on a single, objective, historical fact: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.”

  • The Outrage Paradox-Part Two. Why You Can’t Condemn Tyranny Without God

    The Outrage Paradox-Part Two. Why You Can’t Condemn Tyranny Without God

    The Objective Answer.

    Why You Can’t Condemn Tyranny Without God (And The Single Fact That Smashes All Subjective Religion)
    We’ve talked about the Outrage Paradox. You get furiously angry at injustice, but your subjective worldview can’t actually explain why that injustice is wrong. Your moral compass is spinning, but it has no fixed North Pole.

    The search for a foundation.


    The natural next question is: If we need a fixed, objective truth, where do we actually find it?
    The world offers two dead-end options:

    1. Subjective Feelings: If it feels good, do it. (This led to the Subjective Jail we just discussed.)
    2. Man-Made Rules: We’ll just all agree on the rules. (This leads to the chaos we see every day.)
      This reliance on man-made rules creates a massive, global crisis. It’s the Objective Morality Crisis.

    The Problem with Human Rights-No Objective Standard.

    Think about the concept of universal human rights. Everyone believes in them. Everyone fights for them. We pass laws and sign treaties to protect them.
    But here is the logical trap: If the universe is just atoms and accident, and if humans are just highly evolved animals, then why does every person on Earth have inherent, universal, and unalienable rights?
    You can’t find human rights under a microscope. You can’t derive human worth from the Big Bang.

    Why Human Rights Require God.


    If morals are subjective, then a nation, a dictator, or a mob can simply vote to change the rules. If truth is just an opinion, then condemning tyranny is just one opinion fighting another. Slavery wasn’t abolished because science discovered it was wrong; it was abolished because people finally recognized an objective moral law that transcended culture and economy. We condemn genocide because, deep in our bones, we know that human life has fixed, objective value—value that is not dependent on government, location, or skin colour.
    If there is no God who created all humans in His image, then every dictator who says “might makes right” is philosophically justified. They are simply enforcing their truth.
    You cannot defend universal human dignity without a universal, objective source for dignity.

    Why Science Can’t Carry the Moral Weight.

    Some people try to plant their flag in science. They argue science is the only true objective authority.
    Science is incredible. It tells us how the universe works with stunning accuracy. But it hits a wall when it tries to tell us why or what is right.
    This is The Bible ESV vs. The Microscope problem.
    Take consciousness. Scientists can map the brain, measure the electrical impulses, and track the neural activity. But they still cannot tell you what consciousness objectively is, why we are driven by meaning, or where our awareness comes from. The objective study of the brain fails to capture the objective essence of the mind.
    Or take the Big Bang. It explains the physical beginning, but it requires a huge amount of subjective interpretation to connect those initial physics to a human being who feels moral outrage.


    What happens when science hits that subjective wall? It needs something more. It needs a Designer or Creator who makes the rules.
    The Bible is not anti-science. The Bible is the owner’s manual for the reality science is trying to measure. It declares that the reason human life is sacred, and the reason your consciousness demands meaning, is that you were made by a God who is Himself the fixed definition of love and justice.
    God’s moral law is not random; it’s a reflection of His objective character. This is the only philosophical ground strong enough to condemn tyranny and establish true human rights.
    But is that just another religious opinion? Is that just another subjective choice?

    The Single Fact That Changes Everything.

    This is where Christianity separates itself completely from every other philosophy and faith claim.
    Most religions offer subjective truth. They give you a path, a feeling, a set of guidelines. They rely on inner experience or ancient myth. Christianity, however, rests its entire claim on one objective, historical data point: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    It’s not primarily a moral code. It’s a physical, factual event.
    The claim is simple: Jesus, a real person, died on a real cross, was placed in a real tomb, and three days later, that tomb was objectively empty.


    This moves the conversation out of the Subjective Jail and onto the cold, hard ground of history. It invites you to be a sceptic, an investigator, and a lawyer.
    You have to ask: Was the tomb empty, or wasn’t it?
    If the tomb wasn’t empty, Christianity is a beautiful, inspiring lie. The Apostle Paul himself wrote that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is “futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV). It’s a binary, objective question.
    If the tomb was empty—if that single historical fact is true—then Christ is who He claimed to be. He is the Objective Lawgiver who stepped into His creation to fix the broken moral system. He is the ultimate, non-subjective reality.

    The Eyewitness Test.

    Now, consider the men and women who first saw the resurrected Christ: the women at the tomb, the two on the road to Emmaus, the Apostles, and the hundreds of others. They were ordinary people.
    The Romans and the authorities of the day had a simple solution to this new “truth”: torture or kill the eyewitnesses.


    Think about the test this presented. These eyewitnesses were beaten, imprisoned, stoned like Stephen, and ultimately crucified and Peter was even crucified upside-down, believing he wasn’t worthy to die the same way as his Lord.
    If the Resurrection was just a subjective feeling, a comforting story they made up, then at what point—under the burning oil, facing the lions, or nailed to the wood—would they have broken?


    At what point would they have cried out, “Stop! It was a lie! We didn’t see him resurrected. The nail wounds weren’t healed. Please, let me live!”?
    They had the ultimate out. They could have saved their lives by admitting to a lie. But historical evidence shows they did not. Not one of the captured eyewitnesses—who were tortured and executed—denied the core fact.


    No one dies for what they know is a lie. People die for what they believe is the objective truth.
    The empty tomb is the proof that gives authority to the principle (objective truth), which in turn validates your anger (the Outrage Paradox). You don’t have to agree with every single Bible verse right now. You just have to deal with the objective fact of that missing body and the immovable testimony of those who paid the ultimate price.

    The Question That Remains.

    If the Resurrection is true, what does that objective fact change about the subjective world you live in? What does this mean for you?

    Further Reading & Resources 📚

    I. Academic & Secular Sources.

    For those interested in the psychological and sociological analysis of moral disagreement in the digital age, I recommend exploring the research that validates the “Outrage Paradox”:
    • Political Polarization and Moral Outrage on Social Media
    o Authors: Jordan Carpenter, William Brady, Molly Crockett, René Weber & Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
    o Source: Connecticut Law Review, Vol. 52, No. 3, Article (2021)
    o Focus: This article proposes a theoretical model explaining how “moral outrage” (anger and disgust at a perceived moral violation) on social media leads to affective polarization, dehumanization, and a decay of civil discourse—the very chaos we see in daily news feeds.

    II. ESV Bible Scripture Anchors.

    To explore the concept of an objective moral law written on the human heart, and the historical solution found in Christ:


    Topic: Scripture Reference (ESV) Purpose in Post


    The Law on the Heart Romans 2:15 Explains the Outrage Paradox—why humans instinctively know right from wrong, even if they reject God’s law.


    Objective Reality/Christ Hebrews 13:8 Guarantees shared reality and objective permanence: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”


    The Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:17 Establishes the entire Christian faith on a single, objective, historical fact: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.”

  • “What Is Truth? — Why It Matters Now More Than Ever”

    “What Is Truth? — Why It Matters Now More Than Ever”

    Introduction.

    In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the quest for truth often takes a backseat to the myriad distractions that vie for our attention. Yet, beneath the surface of our daily lives lies a profound question: Is there an ultimate truth, and can we find it? This blog post delves into the nature of truth and the existence of a divine Creator, exploring how these concepts can bring clarity and purpose to our lives.

    The Essence of Truth.

    Truth is a concept that has fascinated humanity for centuries. Traditionally, truth is seen as something objective and unchanging, a reality that exists independently of our beliefs or opinions. For instance, the statement “The Earth orbits the Sun” remains true regardless of individual perspectives. This understanding of truth provides a stable foundation upon which we can build our knowledge and understanding of the world.
    However, in recent times, the idea that truth is subjective has gained traction. This perspective suggests that truth is shaped by our experiences, culture, and personal beliefs. While this view acknowledges the diversity of human experience, it also raises questions about the nature of reality and whether we can ever truly know anything for certain. It is important to recognize that while personal experiences and perspectives are valid, they do not alter objective truths.

    The Divine Connection.

    Amidst the debate over the nature of truth, the question of a divine Creator stands as a central core for truth. The belief in a Creator who designed and sustains the universe explains the order and complexity we observe in the world around us. This belief is a matter of faith but is supported by various lines of reasoning and evidence.
    One such argument is the cosmological argument, which posits that everything that begins to exist has a cause. Since the universe began to exist, it must have a cause, and this cause is identified as God. Similarly, the intricate design and fine-tuning of the universe point to an intelligent designer who crafted the cosmos with purpose and precision.

    Challenging Scientific Theories.

    The creation account in the Bible provides a coherent and comprehensive explanation of the origin and nature of the universe. It presents a God who created the heavens and the earth, and everything in them, in a deliberate and purposeful manner. This account stands in contrast to certain scientific theories that rely on unprovable assumptions and speculative guesswork.
    For example, the theory of evolution, which suggests that life arose through random mutations and natural selection, is often debated. While it has its proponents, some argue that it lacks empirical evidence and is based on speculative assumptions. In contrast, the creation account in the Bible offers a clear and consistent explanation of the origin of life and the universe, grounded in the belief in a purposeful Creator.

    Science and Gravity.

    Science is fundamentally about understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning. The concept of gravity, for instance, is a cornerstone of physics. It’s a force that attracts two bodies towards each other, and its effects are observable in everyday life. Arguing that gravity doesn’t exist is illogical because the evidence is overwhelming. If you step off a ladder, you will meet the ground due to gravity’s pull.

    The Human Eye.

    The human eye is a marvel of biological engineering. Its intricate structure allows us to perceive the world in vivid detail. From the cornea to the retina, each part plays a crucial role in the process of vision. The complexity of the eye often leads to discussions about the wonders of evolution and the sophistication of biological systems.

    Oprah Winfrey’s Infamous Line.

    Oprah Winfrey’s statement, “There’s your truth, there’s their truth, and the truth,” touches on the subjective nature of human experience. It suggests that everyone has their own perspective, shaped by their experiences and beliefs. This idea can be linked to the scientific method, which seeks to find objective truths through evidence and reasoning, contrasting with the subjective truths we hold individually. However, it is crucial to distinguish between personal perspectives and objective realities. In recent times, I’ve heard people talk about their truth, as in “my truth” and about the truth of others as “their truth.” Implicit in this is the idea that that because it is “my truth” or “their truth” it is somehow inherently valid as a statement of truth. Opinions have been elevated to truth and personal preferences have been elevated to rights. To challenge anyone’s “truth” now causes personal offense and seems to be a definite “no-no” in society. How did we ever get to such a point in society that no-one is ever wrong anymore because everyone is right?

    Engaging with the Modern Mind.

    In a world filled with distractions and competing truths, engaging with the modern mind requires a thoughtful and respectful approach. It involves listening to different perspectives, asking meaningful questions, and providing well-reasoned responses. By highlighting the implications of subjective truth and how it has influenced modern society, we can offer a compelling alternative to the uncertainties of relativism.
    For instance, if truth is entirely subjective, it becomes challenging to resolve conflicts and make decisions based on shared values. In a legal context, the idea of subjective truth could undermine the concept of justice, as different individuals may have different interpretations of what is fair and just. By demonstrating the stability and reliability of objective truth, we can offer a compelling alternative to the uncertainties of relativism. This applies across the entire spectrum of reality. Any event can be minimised or denied, and any scientific consensus can be questioned, if it doesn’t agree with “your truth.” Are we undermining, and ultimately destroying the foundations of our own civilisation?
    It is as if we live in an age of absolute relativism. That might sound like a contradiction, but what it means is that relativism is absolute because it rules over every principle.
    The Bible has a vastly different way of looking at the world. In the Bible’s view, all truth is relative, but not to other truths. All truth is relative to God’s truth. God’s truth is the fixed point of reality, the source of all truth. Truth originates in the very being of God. When Jesus said, “I am the truth” (John 14:6), he didn’t mean that he had some of the truth, or even that he had all of the truth. What Jesus was saying that truth is part of who God is. Every word he speaks, every decision he makes, and everything he does is truth. It is fully and absolutely true.
    We human beings can only ever speak about truth in imprecise and incomplete, ways, because we can never see the full picture. But God can. We don’t even know how big the universe is or how it works. But God does.
    This keeps us humble, while at the same time it compels us to continuously search for truth. It is precisely that search for the truth about our world and how it works that led to the development of modern science.

    Conclusion.

    In conclusion, the interplay between objective scientific truths and subjective human experiences offers a rich tapestry for exploration. Science, with its rigorous methods and evidence-based conclusions, provides us with a reliable framework to understand phenomena like gravity and the intricate workings of the human eye. These objective truths are undeniable and form the bedrock of our understanding of the natural world. On the other hand, personal truths, as highlighted by Oprah Winfrey’s infamous line, remind us that our individual perspectives and experiences shape our reality. By acknowledging both the objective and subjective, we can appreciate the full spectrum of human understanding and experience, creating a more nuanced and holistic view of the world. This balance between the empirical and the personal enriches our lives and deepens our appreciation of the complexities of existence.
    If you are reading this, I invite you to join me as this blog begins to exist online. We can look together at all the amazing things in our world. If you want to join the conversation, leave a comment below. No email blocks, just leave a respectful comment as you would leave your shoes at the door of a friend’s home who has just had new white carpet fitted. Honestly, who has white carpet.

    References and Citations:

    1. Aquinas, Thomas. “Summa Theologica.”
    2. Craig, William Lane. “The Kalam Cosmological Argument.”
    3. Barrow, John D., and Frank J. Tipler. “The Anthropic Cosmological Principle.”
    4. The Bible. Genesis 1-2.
    5. Behe, Michael. “Darwin’s Black Box.”
    6. Newton, Isaac. “Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.”
    7. Darwin, Charles. “The Origin of Species.”
    8. Meyer, Stephen C. “Darwin’s Doubt.”
    9. Lyotard, Jean-François. “The Postmodern Condition.”

  • Title: A Study of John 6

    Title: A Study of John 6

    Introduction

    In our ongoing exploration of the New Testament, we turn our attention to the profound teachings of Jesus in John 6. This chapter is rich in theological insights and practical applications for our daily walk with Christ. In this blog post, we will delve into the core theme of John 6, which is “Jesus as the Bread of Life.” We will explore the essential biblical passage, the main teaching point, and the key elements that support this theme.

    The Core Theme: Jesus as the Bread of Life.

    The core theme of John 6 is encapsulated in the phrase “Jesus as the Bread of Life.” This theme is introduced in the context of the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus multiplies five barley loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd. This miracle sets the stage for Jesus’ profound teaching on the true bread from heaven.

    Key Elements and Theological Arguments.

    1. The Essential Biblical Passage: The chapter begins with the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus then uses this miracle to teach about the true bread from heaven. He says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). This passage sets the stage for the entire chapter, highlighting the importance of Jesus as the sustainer of spiritual life.
    2. The Main Teaching Point: The main teaching point of John 6 is the call to believe in Jesus as the source of eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness was a temporary provision, but He is the true bread from heaven that gives eternal life. He says, “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33).
    3. Supporting Scripture Verses: Jesus further explains the significance of His teaching by saying, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). This statement underscores the necessity of a deep, personal relationship with Jesus for spiritual sustenance and eternal life.
    4. Personal Stories and Analogies: Jesus uses the analogy of eating and drinking to illustrate the intimate and sustaining relationship He offers. Just as physical