Fact versus Truth

Here we arrive at an essential distinction: fact and truth.  My generation has been so indoctrinated with empiricism, critical thinking, and the scientific method that we do not compartmentalize these skills.  They have become part of our moral ethic.  More of us are struggling with issues of faith because we recognize there is little verifiable data in our own anecdotal experience to confirm the 'truths' our religion continues to set before us. 

But perhaps that is the problem.  What is truth?  Truth is a particularly human phenomenon.  Lynn Johnson (2008) has argued that thoughts are neither true nor false, but helpful or unhelpful (p. 35).  This reminds me of Paul's comment in 1 Cor. 10:23: "Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful . . . " (ISV). 

My argument is this:  There are truths that we will never be able to support via the scientific method.  They are not truths because they are scientific fact; they are truths because they are helpful and profitable to our thought life, which in turn brings profit to our lives in actuality.  Therefore, we arrive at a rather simple conclusion that perhaps many people reading this may know, but desperately need reminded of.  The Bible is full of truth that is transformational if we choose to fill our minds with its mental commentary.  It's an act of faith and trust.  Of course the truths won't stand up to objective observation every time because they were never meant to.  The truths are meant to be believed, to be held in the mind (for starters).  Very helpful, profitable thoughts that lead to transformation.  I'd like to conduct science as objectively as possible.  But please give me a life that is transformed by what I believe and choose to think about instead of a life that is limited to only accepting what I can verify to be fact.

May your life be rich with truth.

References

Johnson, L.D. (2008). Enjoy life: Healing with happiness. Salt Lake City, UT: Head Acre Press.