The Truth War

1. Truth is absolute and rooted in God's nature

Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God.

Truth is objective reality. It exists independently of human perception or opinion. As the self-expression of God, truth reflects His unchanging nature and character. This means truth is not relative or subject to individual interpretation. Rather, it is fixed, constant, and universal.

God is the source of all truth. He has revealed truth through creation, conscience, Scripture, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The Bible provides the clearest and most authoritative revelation of truth, serving as the standard by which all truth claims must be measured. Understanding truth requires faith in God and submission to His Word.

Key aspects of biblical truth:

• Reflects God's character
• Objective and universal
• Revealed in Scripture
• Centered on Christ

2. The church faces an ongoing battle against false teaching

The Truth War is, after all, war.

Spiritual warfare is constant. Since the beginning, Satan has waged war against God's truth through deception and false teaching. This battle continues today as the church contends with various heresies, false religions, and worldly philosophies that contradict Scripture. The stakes are high, as false teaching can lead people away from salvation in Christ.

Vigilance is required. Christians must be alert and prepared to defend biblical truth. This involves studying Scripture diligently, exercising discernment, and boldly confronting error. While conflict can be uncomfortable, it is sometimes necessary to preserve the integrity of the gospel. The church's health and effectiveness depend on maintaining doctrinal purity.

Common sources of false teaching:

• Cults and false religions
• Secular philosophies
• Compromise within the church
• Distortions of biblical doctrine

3. Postmodernism poses a significant threat to biblical truth

Postmodernism suggests that if objective truth exists, it cannot be known objectively or with any degree of certainty.

Relativism undermines truth. Postmodern thought rejects the idea of absolute truth, instead viewing all beliefs as equally valid. This mindset has infiltrated the church, leading many to question clear biblical teachings and embrace a pick-and-choose approach to doctrine. The result is a watered-down Christianity that lacks the power to transform lives.

Clarity is sacrificed for ambiguity. Postmodernism celebrates uncertainty and views strong convictions with suspicion. This has led to a reluctance among many Christians to take firm stances on doctrinal issues. However, Scripture calls believers to hold fast to sound teaching and contend for the faith. Embracing ambiguity in the name of humility actually demonstrates a lack of trust in God's clear revelation.

Effects of postmodernism on the church:

• Erosion of biblical authority
• Reluctance to declare absolute truth
• Emphasis on personal experience over doctrine
• Blurring of lines between truth and error

4. Discernment is crucial for defending the faith

Discernment demands that where Scripture speaks with clarity, a hard line must be drawn.

Spiritual maturity requires discernment. The ability to distinguish truth from error is essential for Christian growth and effective ministry. Discernment involves carefully evaluating teachings and practices in light of Scripture. It requires a thorough knowledge of God's Word and a willingness to apply biblical principles consistently.

Exercising discernment protects the church. False teaching often appears attractive and can easily deceive the undiscerning. By cultivating discernment, believers can recognize and resist error, preserving the purity of the gospel. This also enables the church to minister effectively to those who have been led astray by false doctrines.

Steps to develop discernment:

• Diligent study of Scripture
• Prayer for wisdom and understanding
• Familiarity with sound doctrine
• Willingness to test all teachings against the Bible

5. False teachers often disguise themselves within the church

Apostate false teachers who remain in the church and undermine true faith are often extremely subtle, but they are never harmless.

Deception from within is dangerous. Throughout church history, some of the most serious threats to truth have come from those claiming to be believers. False teachers often use Christian terminology and appeal to people's desires, making their errors difficult to detect. This infiltration can cause widespread confusion and lead many astray.

Motives matter. While some false teachers are simply misguided, many are driven by sinful desires such as greed, power, or rebellion against God's authority. Their teachings often cater to human pride or offer a distorted view of grace that permits sinful behavior. Recognizing these underlying motivations can help expose the true nature of their doctrines.

Characteristics of false teachers:

• Use of Christian language and concepts
• Appeal to emotions and felt needs
• Distortion of grace and biblical morality
• Rejection of clear scriptural teachings

6. Apostasy stems from rebellion against Christ's authority

The false teachers' absolute rejection of Christ's authority was the root and the real motive for their apostasy in the first place.

Lordship is central to true faith. At its core, apostasy involves a rejection of Christ's rightful authority over one's life. While apostates may maintain an outward appearance of religiosity, they ultimately refuse to submit to Jesus as Lord. This rebellion often manifests in a distortion of grace that permits sinful behavior or a rejection of clear biblical teachings.

Apostasy is a process. People rarely abandon the faith overnight. Instead, apostasy usually begins with small compromises and a gradual drift from biblical truth. This underscores the importance of continually examining one's heart and remaining firmly grounded in Scripture. True believers persevere in faith, demonstrating their commitment to Christ through obedience and sound doctrine.

Warning signs of apostasy:

• Persistent unrepentant sin
• Rejection of clear biblical teachings
• Distortion of the gospel message
• Elevation of human wisdom over Scripture

7. Christians must actively contend for the faith

Jude is urging us to rise up and contend earnestly for the faith against apostates and their false teaching.

Defending truth requires effort. Christians are called to be active participants in the Truth War, not passive bystanders. This involves studying Scripture diligently, refuting error, and boldly proclaiming biblical truth. While confrontation can be uncomfortable, it is sometimes necessary to preserve the integrity of the gospel.

Love motivates the battle. Contending for the faith is not about winning arguments or proving oneself right. Rather, it flows from a love for God and a desire to see people freed from the bondage of error. This loving concern should shape how believers engage in doctrinal disputes, combining firmness on truth with gentleness and respect toward individuals.

Ways to contend for the faith:

• Thorough study of Scripture and sound doctrine
• Careful evaluation of teachings and practices
• Clear articulation of biblical truth
• Loving confrontation of error

8. Biblical clarity empowers believers to understand truth

God has spoken distinctly in His Word. Not everything in the Bible is equally clear, of course. But God's Word is plain enough for the average reader to know and understand everything necessary for a saving knowledge of Christ.

Scripture is sufficiently clear. While some passages may be difficult to interpret, the Bible's central message and essential doctrines are plainly evident. God has communicated in a way that can be understood by ordinary people. This "perspicuity of Scripture" means believers can confidently grasp biblical truth without relying solely on experts or church authorities.

Clarity enables obedience. Because God has spoken clearly in His Word, Christians are responsible for understanding and applying its teachings. The Bible's clarity leaves no excuse for ignorance or disobedience. It also empowers believers to evaluate teachings and practices in light of Scripture, rather than blindly following human traditions or popular opinion.

Implications of biblical clarity:

• Responsibility to study and understand Scripture
• Ability to discern truth from error
• Confidence in applying biblical principles
• Accountability for obedience to God's Word

9. Compromise on essential doctrines is dangerous

To interpret headship in a way that eliminates the idea of authority is to empty the idea of its true significance.

Core truths are non-negotiable. While Christians may disagree on secondary issues, certain doctrines are essential to the faith and cannot be compromised. These include the deity of Christ, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith, and other fundamental gospel truths. Attempts to water down or reinterpret these doctrines undermine the very foundation of Christianity.

Unity must be based on truth. True Christian unity is rooted in shared commitment to essential biblical doctrines. Attempts to achieve unity by downplaying or ignoring doctrinal differences ultimately produce a superficial and unstable alliance. Genuine unity requires agreement on core truths while allowing for diversity on secondary issues.

Dangers of doctrinal compromise:

• Distortion of the gospel message
• Confusion and instability within the church
• Loss of distinctive Christian witness
• Opening the door to further error

10. Church history demonstrates the importance of defending truth

Whenever the people of God have sought peace with the world or made alliances with false religions, it has meant a period of serious spiritual decline, even to the point where at times the truth seemed almost to be in total eclipse.

Past battles inform present conflicts. Throughout church history, believers have faced challenges to biblical truth from various heresies and false teachings. Studying how earlier Christians contended for the faith provides valuable lessons and encouragement for today's truth warriors. It also helps identify recurring patterns of error and effective strategies for defending sound doctrine.

Faithfulness often requires courage. Many heroes of the faith faced intense opposition and personal cost for their unwavering commitment to truth. Their examples inspire believers today to stand firm in the face of cultural pressure and doctrinal compromise. History shows that contending for the faith, while difficult, is necessary for the church's long-term health and effectiveness.

Lessons from church history:

• Importance of doctrinal clarity and precision
• Danger of gradual drift from biblical truth
• Need for courageous defense of essential doctrines
• Long-term consequences of compromise or indifference

Last updated: July 21, 2024