Elusive Truth - Endtime Issues April 2003

EndTime Issues… magazine

EDITORIAl

Therein the Truth Lies

Casting a vastly different picture than reality, Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, on April 5, 2003, denied reports that U.S. Army and Marine forces had taken the capital or the Baghdad airport. Over the airwaves he “assured” the Iraqi people that the Republican Guard was in control. Then he offered to take reporters to the airport to prove it.¹

Whether al-Sahaf was sorely deceived by his intelligence, in fatal denial or made outrageous statements to deceive isn’t clear. The city already knew that the government’s claims of truth were lies. Yet, for some, especially in the military, those words were an impetus to fight on.

Contemporary culture is showered daily with false advertising claims, spoof stories, perfidious political accusations, media bias and cheating scandals. Dishonesty drives the markets of persuasion. Conspiracy theories entertain the curious.

In a world filled with unwelcomed news, it has become fashionable to deny truth, revise “history,” and project blame on someone else. It is a sign of decreasing tolerance to reality at a time political correctness is legislating tolerance. Truth has become marginalized and a commodity to be manipulated.

“We are entering an era in which the news media and the general public’s adeptness at detecting and dissecting spin in public discourse is matched only by the messengers’ ability to spin with even greater speed and dexterity. The result, predictably, is confusion,. Put simply, it’s hard – and getting harder – to know whom to believe.”²

Many claim it is easier to infer falsehood from despots because one assumes a lie from them more than to know truth in a free world. In the United States over the past decade, Enron’s balance sheet, the dot com miracles and Clinton’s syntax were truths that lied.

Whether the source be an elected official, a corporate head or a parson behind the pulpit, skepticism has invaded the mind of most. When truth is presented, one questions how much was parsed to convince or please. Often news comes with the dubious thought, “What are they holding back.”

George Orwell once noted: “At a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” As frustration rises with leaders trying to convince what really “is” and to attract loyalty, many are leaning on the entertainment industry, sensational media or churches as comfort “centers” for security. However, sensory experiences build dangerous barriers to reality. When feelings are appealed to, denial rises. This trend is sadly capitalized on by many church personalities.

Truth is only enriched as its luster is sought after, which necessitates earnest striving to obtain. Entertainment and informality are alibis for those who dodge truth. These are the guises for leaders who never mined the shaft of real understanding.

The Catholic doctrine (also adopted by Protestants under the situational ethics ruse) of mental reservation is being exercised in a religion of compromise and denial. Honesty and canard equally compete for the common good. The eternal security in what God demands is being neglected through appeals for peace, unity and tolerance.

The gospel message is truth in all its glorious fullness. It is to be presented so well, it convicts and convinces. The cultural skeptic must sense an appeal that will transcend emotionalism. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6. We have been commissioned to represent all He stands for. It demands effort, commitment and unswerving willingness to change. That is a supernatural task. Therein lies our challenge. We must obtain supernatural help. That is now the Christian’s greatest need – to be Spirit led. To represent Him requires a personal commitment to know and to be. Therein lies truth.

Editor, EndTime Issues... magazine, April 2003.

References

¹www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/05/sprj.irq.sahaf

²Tad Simons, Editor-in-Chief, Presentations Magazine, March 2003, p. 6