lunes, abril 21, 2008
lunes, abril 07, 2008
How can one discover the truth?
I've been having a fascinating discussion with a lady at work regarding how one can know the truth about anything be it religious, scientific, or otherwise.
Dallin H. Oaks, in his recent LDS General Conference address mentioned that some important truths cannot be proven scientifically, such as "Do I love my wife?" We all know that that is very important, but how can I prove it? You could hook me up to all kinds of sensors and have her walk in front of me and certain parts of my brain would light up on the screen showing that I am attracted to her. A record of all that I do for her and that she does for me would also be evidence supporting the hypothesis that I love her. But all those things don't prove that I do indeed love her. The scientific method can only say that the evidence shows that it is "plausible" the Robert loves Jessica. Now, I know I love my wife because my love for her is in my heart and mind. I could explain it with words describing feelings, but that does not do it justice, nor can anyone truly understand my love unless they do have loved someone else.
I my discussions with this very good lady, it has been very amicable, good spirited, and we both have expressed an anxious concern for each others eternal welfare. However, we have come to an impass on the very fundamental principle regarding how one might know if the Bible is true. I have shared with her that the power of God's Holy Spirit has made it known to me that my religious beliefs are true. Just like proving I love my wife is impossible scientifically, it is impossible to describe my experience with God without resorting to words associated with feelings. What God has told my soul is just as real as the keyboard I am typing on, but I cannot prove it. She told me that I cannot trust my feelings to know if something from God and that the only thing I can trust is the Bible.
I asked her, "How did you come to know that the Bible was true?"
Her response was, "Because it is the Word of God."
I then asked, "How do you know that it is the Word of God?"
She replied, "Because it exists."
"Surely you cannot believe in the Bible simply because it exists?" I questioned.
Her answer surprised me, "I have a rational belief that the Bible is true. Historical records prove it is true."
Bob Millet described almost this exact conversation in his book, "Getting at the Truth -Responding to Difficult Questions about LDS Beliefs."
So my friends, family, and anonymous readers, I want to throw this question out to you, "How do you know if something is true?" Please feel free to take an academic, scientific, or religious point of view. To me, all truth comes from the same source, so there really are no lines between scientific and religious truths.
Just as a side note: The other topic I have been discussing with my friend is whether or not the Bible contains all the essentail elements needed for salvation. She believes that there is no need for God to continue to speak to mankind, that all revelations and miracles have ceased after the 1st century AD, and that everything pertaining to faith, doctrine, and the gospel was "given once and for all." Jeffrey R. Holland's talk was an answer to my prayers and I forwarded the mp3 file of it on to her and her husband to digest. I hope they listen to it!
Dallin H. Oaks, in his recent LDS General Conference address mentioned that some important truths cannot be proven scientifically, such as "Do I love my wife?" We all know that that is very important, but how can I prove it? You could hook me up to all kinds of sensors and have her walk in front of me and certain parts of my brain would light up on the screen showing that I am attracted to her. A record of all that I do for her and that she does for me would also be evidence supporting the hypothesis that I love her. But all those things don't prove that I do indeed love her. The scientific method can only say that the evidence shows that it is "plausible" the Robert loves Jessica. Now, I know I love my wife because my love for her is in my heart and mind. I could explain it with words describing feelings, but that does not do it justice, nor can anyone truly understand my love unless they do have loved someone else.
I my discussions with this very good lady, it has been very amicable, good spirited, and we both have expressed an anxious concern for each others eternal welfare. However, we have come to an impass on the very fundamental principle regarding how one might know if the Bible is true. I have shared with her that the power of God's Holy Spirit has made it known to me that my religious beliefs are true. Just like proving I love my wife is impossible scientifically, it is impossible to describe my experience with God without resorting to words associated with feelings. What God has told my soul is just as real as the keyboard I am typing on, but I cannot prove it. She told me that I cannot trust my feelings to know if something from God and that the only thing I can trust is the Bible.
I asked her, "How did you come to know that the Bible was true?"
Her response was, "Because it is the Word of God."
I then asked, "How do you know that it is the Word of God?"
She replied, "Because it exists."
"Surely you cannot believe in the Bible simply because it exists?" I questioned.
Her answer surprised me, "I have a rational belief that the Bible is true. Historical records prove it is true."
Bob Millet described almost this exact conversation in his book, "Getting at the Truth -Responding to Difficult Questions about LDS Beliefs."
So my friends, family, and anonymous readers, I want to throw this question out to you, "How do you know if something is true?" Please feel free to take an academic, scientific, or religious point of view. To me, all truth comes from the same source, so there really are no lines between scientific and religious truths.
Just as a side note: The other topic I have been discussing with my friend is whether or not the Bible contains all the essentail elements needed for salvation. She believes that there is no need for God to continue to speak to mankind, that all revelations and miracles have ceased after the 1st century AD, and that everything pertaining to faith, doctrine, and the gospel was "given once and for all." Jeffrey R. Holland's talk was an answer to my prayers and I forwarded the mp3 file of it on to her and her husband to digest. I hope they listen to it!
The Constitution and Limited Government
The Imprimis newsletter this month was particularly good. It opened my eyes to the difference between "limited" government and "small" government. For those of us who hope to preserve the constitution from the erosion it is currently facing, this guy is on our side!
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp
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