Riding the Cusp of Truth
Countless Millions are Riding the Cusp of Truth, without even knowing it
I’m Catholic: Philosophical musings on the matter of “a single truth.”
by Pat Miron
Matt.13: 45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it“.
Here’s the risk
Prov.12: 17 “He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.” … 2nd. Tim. 4: 3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, [ACTUALLY its been here for awhile already] but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.”
Rom.1: 18, 25 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.” … 2Cor.4;1-5 “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
Here’s “the truth ” explained …. “What is true remains true even if nobody believes it; and a lie remains a lie even if everybody believes is” Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Here’s the source of ALL truth: [Always]
John.14; 6“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. … John.8: 12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” … John.9: 5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” … John.11: 25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” …
John.12: 26“If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.” … John 14:23-24 “Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”
Jesus, with a ardent burning desire for the salvation of Souls, desires that there still be a Devine-presence, a single source of the truth ever in our midst; available as a guide, a light to shine in the darkness of sin-filled secularisms ”MEISM‘S“; to brighten the path, to lead the way. To hold “the key’s” and to be able to unlock “the gate.” To keep, define and protect God’s Singular truths.
Matt. 16:17-19 “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matt.28 Verses 16, 18-20 “ Now the eleven disciples [Apostles] went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. .. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” … John 17:18-19 “As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. [MEANS: With God actual powers and Authority].. And for their sake I [Jesus /God] consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth. … John 20:21-22 “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”!
Here is WHY truth is important
Sir.4: 25,28 “Never speak against the truth, but be mindful of your ignorance. Strive even to death for the truth and the Lord God will fight for you. [Conversely by implication here is the message that those who seek not the truth, will have God fighting against them.] Rom.2: 8 “but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.”
Here is the problem
John 8: 45-46 “But, because I [Jesus] tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?”
Here’s the reason for this document
2 Tim.1: 1-2, 7, 13-14 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy,
my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. … for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, … For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.”
Here is Merriam-Webster definition for “truth.”
1. aarchaic: “fidelity, constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance
2. a (1): the state of being the case : fact (2): the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3)often capitalized: a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true <truths of thermodynamics> c: the body of true statements and propositions 3. a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality bchiefly British: true 2 c: fidelity to an original or to a standard”
Here is The Catholic Dictionary [by Father John Hardon S.J.]
TRUTH.
“Conformity of mind and reality. Three kinds of conformity give rise to three kinds of truth. In logical truth, the mind is conformed or in agreement with things outside the mind, either in assenting to what is or in denying what is not. Its opposite is error. In metaphysical or ontological truth, things conform with the mind. This is primary conformity, when something corresponds to the idea of its maker, and it is secondary conformity when something is intelligible and therefore true to anyone who knows it. In moral truth, what is said conforms with what is on one’s mind. This is truthfulness and its opposite is falsehood.”
Not to long ago while listening to Father Mitch Pacwa’s homily at Mass; Father used the term: “Designer Religions” as a reality of today’s world. I had never head the expression before; but knew exactly what he meant and the point that he was making. 2nd. Tim. 4: 3-4 By definition and applied logic, truth is “One”. But that definition, tradition, and even logic have been over ruled by “MEISM.” {my personal view, my understanding, is of the greatest importance; overriding every other consideration.}
“MEISM” came to America’s shores with “The Bialy’s” in the virgining Twentieth -Century. They are widely credited with being the American-birth-parents” of what we know today as the “New Age Religions”
Because Protestantism was already well founded here in America [one could be anything socially but “a catholic” it seems], New Age philosophy had a fertile ground in which to seed and grow. Because of it’s “Designer aspects” it caught in quickly and widely.
Added to this fertile ground was the emerging technology of Electronic Media. Radio; then Television and Movies. Each having the common denominator of being a “business” seeking customers for there wares and, of course money. LOT”S of money. It was the business aspects that seems to have driven some of the Philosophy and Theology of the rapidly growing number of “communions” within the Protestant ranks. Expressions of “self” taught as singular truths. An example of this is the “Sinners Prayer.” Made necessary as an expedient “to “make” salvation” fast enough to fit broadcast schedules and commercial breaks. Here are BUT a Few References for this position.
http://www.bible.ca/g-sinners-prayer.htm; http://www.biblestudyguide.org/articles/prayer-sinners-prayer/sinners-prayer.htmhttp://gospelcall.blogspot.com/2010/05/short-history-of-sinners-prayer.html
It seems both appropriate and necessary to ask if “A partial truth” is to be considered equal in every way as “the truth”? And do “good intentions” act as a sort of “truth filler/ justifier?” A third question might be; asking when “Objective Truth” as a defined reality metamorphosed into today’s reality of a “Subjective”- quasi-truth that finds very wide acceptance took hold? And IS commonly held to be “equal too” what at one time was the accepted reality that “truth” is [was] singular; one truth per precisely defined issue.
So as not to get too far off track; the timing is not of great relevance to the fact that it’s here; it’s fully imbedded in religious matters and circles and it’s validity is seemly no longer even questioned. The how’s and why’s of this fact I will leave for someone far brighter than me.
What concerns the salvation of Souls is; or ought to be a matter of great importance to all of us who are, if even occasionally, placed in situations where we are asked to either explain or defend some aspect of our Catholic Faith. From this narrowed perspective the how, who, and why of bible translation becomes thee point of demarcation. The point where Objective truths; can at will be changed to Subjective personal choice with seemingly complete immunity.
The necessary question here then becomes; are such changes granted or permitted by our God? [who else really matters?] Another way of asking this might be; “does truth still matter; Objectively speaking?” Will God accept one’s personal opinion, ones preferred choices over or as a substitute to God’s Own Teachings? The answer, because God is and MUST BE, and MUST Remain perfect is NO! He cannot and does not.
It seems reasonable that all who seek a relationship with Our God, must be “seekers of God’s truth on God‘s rules and mandates.” The gifts of the Holy Spirit while normally disbursed at random according to His Will;
1st. Cor. 12:11] His Own desire; have a common thread; THEE TRUTH, that runs through them. But because God’s Mercy is only exceeded by God’s Love for us; God permits TRUE Seekers to ask and pray for all of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Piety, Fear of the LORD, Prudence and Right Judgment.
On all matters dealing with religious truths, finding them, understanding them and accepting them on God’s terms, at some early point leads one quite naturally to the Bible. While not “everything” God teaches is enclosed therein; that which is not is clearly authorized by God within its pages, mandates, commands and teachings.
“Vatican City, Apr 23, 2009 (CNA).-[Catholic News Agency] On Thursday morning, Pope Benedict addressed representatives of the Pontifical Biblical Commission following their plenary assembly and said that a correct understanding of Scripture does not come from “the individualistic illusion that biblical texts can be better understood outside the community of believers” but rather rises from the Tradition of the Church.
Benedict XVI began by underlining the importance of the chosen theme, which “concerns not only believers, but the Church herself, because the Church’s life and mission necessarily rest upon the Word of God … .”
Pope Benedict, himself an academic, also warned Catholic biblical scholars that the study of Sacred Scripture cannot be reduced to a purely academic exercise but must involve a perception of “the Word of God in these texts.”
“The interpretation of Sacred Scriptures cannot be a merely an individual academic undertaking, but must always be compared with, inserted into, and authenticated by the living Tradition [means the entire body of Catholic Teaching] of the Church. “This norm is essential in order to ensure a correct and reciprocal exchange between exegesis and Church Magisterium,” the Pope stated.
But the Holy Father went further, offering a corrective reminder to biblical scholars, saying, “Catholic exegetes do not nourish the individualistic illusion that biblical texts can be better understood outside the community of believers.
[THIS MEANS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH] The opposite is true, because these texts were not given to individual scholars ‘to satisfy their curiosity or to provide them with material for study and research’. The texts inspired by God were entrusted to the community of believers, to the Church of Christ, to nourish the faith and to guide the life of charity.” Matt. 28: 16, 18-19 [cf] “Go and teach the entire world what I have taught you”
The Pontiff also summarized the Church’s understanding of Scripture and Tradition.
“Sacred Scripture is the Word of God in that it is written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Tradition, on the other hand, integrally transmits the Word of God as entrusted by Christ the Lord and by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and their successors so that they, illuminated by the Spirit of truth, could faithfully conserve, explain and spread it through their preaching.”
John 14:16-17 fulfilled in John 20: 21-22. [Pope] Benedict XVI closed his address to the commission by emphasizing the need to harmonize the Magisterium and academic scholarship. “Only within the ecclesial context can Sacred Scripture be understood as the authentic Word of God which is guide, norm and rule for the life of the Church and the spiritual development of believers. This means rejecting all interpretations that are subjective or limited to mere analysis [and hence] incapable of accepting the global meaning which, over the course of the centuries, has guided the Tradition of the entire people of God.”
From this discourse let us seek out from a super-abundance of evidence; some biblical supportive “teaching expressions” of this truth. The truth that God choose only Peter, the Apostles and His Catholic Church; and enables ONLY them to Know, understand correctly and fully understand and therefore, be able to share what it is God Commands. At it’s core is God’s Plan for salvation of all souls. No other manner works, and no other teachings are seen as relevant by God. Knowing what the bible is teaching [not only saying] exist only in the Inspired, Enlightened, Protected, and Guided by BOTH Jesus Himself and God the Holy Spirits, One God with Only One set of Faith beliefs and in only One Church. That which is traceable historically provable to date back to the Apostles, to the time of Christ earthly Visitation. ….Today’s Catholic Church, alone chosen and Instituted by Christ Himself, as the ONLY “Church” that existed anywhere in the world for about one thousand years before the Great Eastern Schism that fractured God’s perfect plan. The fact that it continues to exist is evidence of God’s protection and guidance.
One: Who did Christ chose?
John.15: 16, 19 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Luke 22: 28-32 [28] “You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [the entire world]
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”
Matthew 16:18-19 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This authority and power is then given also to the Other Apostles, and through them to the Catholic Church Leaders to follow in Matthew 18: 18 … Matt.17: 1-4, 10-13 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli’jah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli’jah.” …And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli’jah must come?” He replied, “Eli’jah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Eli’jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples [Apostles] understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist’ …[This establishes the term “disciples and Apostles” as being One and the Same and this power and authority is handed on to All of the Apostles]… Matthew 18: 1-6 setting up verses 14-18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. … “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, ‘whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven‘.”
Two: Granting of “succession” as an absolute necessity in order that Christ Works to the Entire World is a possibility. 1st. Tim. 4:14-16 “
Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shall both save thyself and them that hear thee“. … Matt.13:9-12 “He who has ears, let him hear.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. “
SUCCESSION: God-
chosen Ordained Leaders Share in Jesus’ Ministry and Authority
Matt. 10:1,40 – Jesus declares to His apostles, “he who receives you, receives Me, and he who rejects you, rejects Me and the One who sent Me.” Jesus freely gives His authority to the apostles in order for them to effectively convert the world. Matt. 16:19; 18:18 - the apostles are given Christ’s authority to make visible decisions on earth that will be ratified in heaven. God raises up humanity in Christ by exalting his chosen leaders and endowing them with the authority and grace they need to bring about the conversion of all. Without a central authority in the Church, there would be chaos (as there is in Protestantism).
Luke 9:1; 10:19 -Jesus gives the apostles authority over the natural and the supernatural (diseases, demons, serpents, and scorpions). Luke 10:16 - Jesus tells His apostles, “he who hears you, hears Me.” When we hear the bishops’ teaching on the faith, we hear Christ Himself. Luke 22:29 - the Father gives the kingdom to the Son, and the Son gives the kingdom to the apostles. The gift is transferred from the Father to the Son to the apostles.Num 16:28 - the Father’s authority is transferred to Moses. Moses does not speak on his own. This is a real transfer of authority. John 5:30 - similarly, Jesus as man does nothing of His own authority, but He acts under the authority of the Father. John 7:16-17 - Jesus as man states that His authority is not His own, but from God. He will transfer this authority to other men. John 8:28 - Jesus says He does nothing on His own authority. Similarly, the apostles will do nothing on their own authority. Their authority comes from God. John 12:49 - The father’s authority is transferred to the Son. The Son does not speak on his own. This is a transfer of divine authority. John 13:20 – Jesus says, “he who receives anyone who I send, receives Me.” He who receives the apostles, receives Christ Himself. He who rejects the apostles and their successors, rejects Christ. John 14:10 - Jesus says the Word He speaks is not His own authority, but from the Father. The gift is from the Father to Jesus to the apostles. John 16:14-15 - what the Father has, the Son has, and the Son gives it to the apostles. The authority is not lessened or mitigated. John 17:18; 20:21 - as the Father sends the Son, the Son sends the apostles. The apostles have divinely appointed authority. Acts 20:28 - the apostles are shepherds and guardians appointed by the Holy Spirit 1 Peter 2:25 - Jesus is the Shepherd and Guardian. The apostles, by the power of the Spirit, share Christ’s ministry and authority. Eph. 2:20 - the Christian faith is built upon the foundation of the apostles. The word “foundation” proves that it does not die with apostles, but carries on through succession.” http://www.scripturecatholic.com/apostolic_succession.html
Three: Only One “Church” chosen, Guided by God and Protected by God; the singular SOURCE for the fullness and accuracy of God‘s own truth. His catholic Church.;
Psalms 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
Matthew 28: 16, 18-19 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” … John 14:16-18, “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you” … verse 26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, “ John 20:19-22 “ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Four: One God Only: 2 Mac.7: 16 “But those who had held fast to God even to death and had received the full enjoyment of deliverance began their departure from the city, crowned with all sorts of very fragrant flowers, joyfully and loudly giving thanks to the one God of their fathers, the eternal Savior of Israel, in words of praise and all kinds of melodious songs.” ….
Exod.3: 6,14-15 “And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, `The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations”
Five: One Church Only: Eph. 2:19-20 “
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” …. John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd” …
Six: One Faith [only one set of teachings to be believed] Eph. 4: 1-7
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. … John 3:27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. …. Col.2: 8 “See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ” …. Eph. 5: 6-10, 15-17 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the [present] days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” … Acts.16: 5 “So the churches [THE ONLY “Churches in existence when the bible was 100% written are today’s Catholic Churches] …were strengthened in the [ONE] faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”
Seven: Truth while always remaining Only One per issue; nevertheless takes different forms. Let’s review them briefly: QUOTES taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia …
Logical Truth; between the knower and the outward expression which he gives to his
knowledge—
“Reality” is actually “what is” Objectively
“Ideas” are what We think or choose to think they are and therefore are Subjective [a lesser truth relative to “Objective truths“] Pjm
“To judge that things are what they are is to judge truly very judgment comprises certain ideas which are referred to, or denied of, reality. But it is not these ideas that are the objects of our judgment. They are merely the instruments by means of which we judge. The object about which we judge is reality itself — either concrete existing things, their attributes, and their relations, or else entities the existence of which is merely conceptual or imaginary, as in drama, poetry, or fiction, but in any case entities which are real in the sense that their being is other than our present thought about them. Reality, therefore, is one thing, and the ideas and judgments by means of which we think about reality, another; the one objective, and the other subjective.”
Moral Truth; and between the thing itself, as it exists, and the idea of it, as conceived by God —
“Hence a better definition of moral truth would be “the correspondence of the outward expression of thought with the thing as conceived by the speaker”.
Moral truth, therefore, does not imply true knowledge. But, though a deviation from moral truth would be only materially a lie, and hence not blameworthy, unless the use of words or signs were intentionally incorrect, moral truth does imply a correct use of words or other signs. A lie therefore, is an intentional deviation from moral truth, and is defined as a locutio contra mentem; i.e. it is the outward expression of a thought which is intentionally diverse from the thing as conceived by the speaker. It is important to observe, however, that the expression of the thought, whether by word or by sign, must in all cases be taken in its context; for both in regard to words and to signs, custom and circumstances make a considerable difference with respect to their interpretation. Veracity, or the habit of speaking the truth, is a virtue; and the obligation of practising it arises from a twofold source. First, “since man is a social animal, naturally one man owes to another that without which human society could not go on. But men could not live together if they did not believe one another to be speaking the truth. Hence the virtue of veracity comes to some extent under the head of justice [rationem debiti]” (St. Thomas, Summa Theologiæ II-II.109.3). The second source of the obligation to veracity arises from the fact that speech is clearly of its very nature intended for the communication of knowledge by one to another. It should be used, therefore, for the purpose for which it is naturally intended, and lies should be avoided. For lies are not merely a misuse, but an abuse, of the gift of speech, since, by destroying man’s instinctive belief in the veracity of his neighbour, they tend to destroy the efficacy of that gift.”
If I’m understanding this information correctly; one may be sharing a false understanding without intent to do so, or awareness that they are in fact spreading “Subjective truths” while holding them as “Objective realities.” [This despite clarity of teaching in the Bible]. That perhaps lessons moral- culpability; unless God has made it possible for one to know His Truth. It is this factor that illuminates the fact that we must not be judgmental; and allow God alone to be the Judge. And Judge he Will, based on what God makes possible for one to know, and therefore by Grave Moral Obligation to accept; life and practice.
Here is what MUST happen:
“MEISM” must be converted to “Theism”
“Designer Religions”
and personalized religious beliefs converted to:
God’s One Designed Faith and beliefs and Divinely Exposed Truths
“My will” must become “Thy Will Be Done”
Truth must be seen not as an option; a personal choice; or a “Designer-option,“ but the Devine Will of our Loving God. Truth, as the first fruit of Devine Wisdom must ought to be sought.
Matt.7: 8 “For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” The initiative is left up to us and the results up to God.
Like God who is One
Like Faith believes which are One in Objective reality
Like Church as desired by God; there is But One
Truth too is “One”
I’d like to close this teaching document with a few random quotes I heard the other day on EWTN’S Daily Mass by a visiting priest: Father Larry Richards:
“God is not out to get us; God is out to Love us”
“Once we are Baptized we can call: “Abba…. Father” Hi dad”
“The God of All things Created is our dad”
Speaking of the Judgment, Father quoted
John 14:20: “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
Acts 13:26-27 : “”Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him.
Ps.2 Verses 10 to 11 “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling”
John.14 Verses 1 to 6 ““Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” [“doubting”] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”
May God grant us His Truth, His Way, His Salvation,
Love and prayers always,
Pat
0 comments to Riding the Cusp of Truth
sueann says: ther is a singular truth– so ck out the truth project- and learn — who is God or YAWAH ?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlc-0AF_5tQ&w=420&h=315%5D
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GF5iRgYWpo&w=420&h=315%5D
Traditions can blind us from the truth
and cause us to wander in the myopic fog of man-made religious systems for an entire lifetime.
Join us on a journey “out of Babylon”
and away from its pagan traditions to uncover long lost truths preserved in the Biblical record.
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Part of Vol. 1 “Out of Babylon” – “Truth and Tradition”
Re: Charismatic Renewal?
