In what way do you find truth most clearly?

• A police report (“Just the facts, ma’am.”) or a story with commentary.
• A description or a prescription.
• A definition or imagery and metaphor.
• A picture or a painting?
• A story or a poem.
• A sermon or a study/commentary.

I visited a church in Visalia, California, in September. Pastor Joel Renkema showed a scenic picture, followed by a painting of the same scene. He asked, “Which one tells the truth the best?” My mind worm was born with that question, and it prompted this blog.

Here is my premise.
We understand best when we look for truth using all of the channels listed above.
We will never reach full understanding in our lifetime—so let’s keep exploring.

My husband and I are taking part in a class to study Revelation, the last book of the Bible. It is written as Apocalyptic Literature, using 404 symbols from the Old Testament. In John’s vision, numbers reveal more than counting, and pictures are full of hidden meanings.

Previously, I have approached Revelation as being “beyond my understanding.” Now that I am learning where the clues lead me (throughout the Bible in the Old and New Testaments), I am thrilled to dig in. I am learning about the cycles of human history and hearing God’s Biblical books like the Gospel of Mark—this happened, then this happened, and if you need an explanation, “Here it is.” He likes to think deeply and apply what he learns, but he prefers straight-forward action rather than descriptive or emotive language. We get to the same truths, we hold the same beliefs, but we get there through different channels.

What about you? We don’t all like the same books, the same kinds of conversation, the same movies, or the same styles of political harangues. How do you discern truth?

• Is background important?
• How about motivation?
• Are different views or methods dangerous or an opportunity to clarify your beliefs?
• Where does logic fit in? Or emotions?
• What about circumstances and culture?

We are told in 1 Corinthians 12 that there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, varieties of service, but the same God? Verse 27 tells us this about believers: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. A body is not made up of just one part, but many. And all parts are necessary for the whole. Verses 18-21 makes it very clear: But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The church of God, made up of all of its individual believers, is one body.

As individuals, we need to read God’s Word in the Bible.
We need to listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit.
We need to give God the center spot in our life story.

As one corporate body, we need each other’s input, perspectives, and responses.
Living together in the Kingdom of God,  we will move toward fuller understanding of God’s words.
We are the church.