Sources of Truth?

Wow, this is a really fascinating dissection of some vexing questions! Thanks to all for staying true to the "mission" of the blog: a civil discussion by earnest "seekers of truth!"

Getting back to Mary's original question about "truth from other sources," I'd like to stimulate some thought by drawing on one of my favorite analogies: the body (Paul liked it a little, also!). What we have come to understand with the tools of modern biology is that virtually every part/organ/cell/organelle/protein etc. is the product of the "true substance", DNA. Your individual makeup (biologically speaking of course) is the product of the utilization of that DNA (your own personal "truth")when the miracle of translation-- the process which allows proteins to be formed-- and replication (making new copies)-- occurs, and occurs over and over again in exactly the same sequence, when it is working correctly. Unfortunately, there are times when it does not work correctly, and the wrong protein can be translated, or the correctly translated protein gets "messed up," say by an environmental toxin, or something like that. The result is that the "fruit" of that translation or synthesis does not "truly" reflect the original "idea" contained within that strand of DNA. Capiche?

Now, suppose that "Scripture" is the Church's DNA. If we presume that the original "DNA" of God's Word was copied correctly, then the "translation" of that Word-- synthesis of "fruit," for example, will be a reflection of the "strand" from which it sprang. The Spirit, in effect, "translates" the DNA of God's Word in the "probiotic soup" of our individual souls, resulting in the "fruit of the Spirit." We can reasonably assume, therefore, that when we manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we are reflecting an accurate "translation" of our spiritual DNA, which is God's Word.

So, is that the only source of spiritual DNA? What about areas not specifically addressed in our scriptural canon, or those areas which have resulted in controversy over translations or cultural idioms(e.g., gay marriage)? Can, in biological systems, "growth" occur in an organism based on an "external" (think: nonBiblical) source of DNA? Sure-- grafting!

More to follow. . . gotta do some work, but wanted to get your juices flowing! Peace!!

Well, let me start things off by commenting on two phrases from Ricky's response to my first response. I really appreciate the phrase "where this road leads," because all too often, it becomes easy to only consider the next few feet, yards or mile of a position taken, when, if followed for significantly further (to the "end of that road," maybe?), the possible or probably outcome can be rather dismal. And that is where other's experience becomes valuable. As one example, during my early college years, I "toyed" with existentialism, reading Camus, Sartre, Heidegger, etc. (but not too much Nietzsche-- his despair was too much for me), even some Kierkegaard, considered a "Christian existentialist." Ultimately, it was the end of that road-- that life has no ultimate meaning-- and its impact on many of its thinkers (suicide after lives of debauchery)-- that led me to realize that it was a path I could not follow. So, it seems important, as Ricky indicates, to see where philosophical "roads" lead before embracing that path with any semblance of confidence.

On the "positive" side, its hard to go wrong with Augustine and Aquinas! Godly men who pursued truth throughout their lives, walking out their faith and sharing it with others. . .

The other comment for this post relates to semantics-- which can be a difficult hurdle in any discussion of this nature-- regarding my use of the word "facts." As a scientist, I tend to utilize the purely empirical definition of that word; i.e., a fact as something which can be experienced in essentially the same fashion by two or more people through the sense realm (sight, hearing, etc.). In that sense, the phrase "faith facts" is rather confusing, since empirical methodologies can only seek to support, rather than confirm, facts as they relate to faith. As an example, it is a "fact" that Jesus lived (at least most honest people are willing to admit that), but as to his ultimate identity beyond his humanity, the "faith fact" that he was/is the Son of God is not subject to empirical verification. I will be more careful in the future about the use of the "faith fact" phrase!

WELCOME

WELCOME! Rather than continue our musings via e-mail strings, this blog will give us a forum to share our thoughts on more "neutral" and accessible grounds. The title is a Latin phrase for "seeker of truth." By participating, I only ask that you pledge mutual respect for the opinions and thoughts of all participants. Peace and love to all "seekers" who join us!