Van Robison: "What is "Truth?""

What is "Truth?"

To each and every mind "truth" is what that mind thinks is "truth."   The subject matter is of no consequence, because "truth" is what anyone thinks in their own mind.   If a billion human beings think that truth is what
they read in the "Bible", does that mean that the Bible is what truth is?   The only problem with that thinking is that that same billion humans beings will think very different thoughts about what they read in that so called
Bible.   The Bible they read will bring forth a myriad of different beliefs, customs and practices among those billion human beings, that cause massive confusion as to what "truth" really is.   Is there really any such thing
as a definition of "truth?"   The Worldwide Church of God defined "truth" as what their top leaders said "truth" is.   The "apostle" Paul defined "truth" by his own definition of truth, but was he right and correct? 

Those who penned, edited, revised, distorted, twisted, added to, deleted from and generally wrote the so called "Bible" define "truth" by their own definition and attributed what they said to God.  Was God really the author? Truth differs with individuals and with groups, including religious groups and human governments.    Sometimes innocent human beings are nailed with false accusations and even serve prison sentences for being "guilty" of crimes which they never committed.   So then was the "truth" what they were accused of?   Even Jesus was accused of many false allegations.   Real truth is then an obvious slippery slope among human beings.

What human being thinks that what they think is false?   Obviously no one.  How do you define truth?   The answer differs with the mind that advances an answer.   It then becomes apparent that TRUTH is not cut and dried and has only one answer.   In the Civil War of the Untied States, the North (Yankees) have a very different perspective than the South (Confederates) about that diabolical war of death and destruction.   There is no one answer that will ever satisfy all people.   Nevertheless it is more than obvious to any astute thinker that those who "win" the wars, write the "history" books which are taught to future generations of school children. 

In reality the doctrine that "the Bible is infallible and inerrant" is nothing less than CENSORSHIP of freedom of thought.   The infallibility doctrine seeks to squelch independent questioning and to cause common people to think that to question the Bible is to question God.   The world is overrun with Bible scholars who know beyond doubt that the Bible is full of holes, while common church goers are led to believe that the Bible is beyond questioning.   Whatever "truth" is, it is without doubt that there are many answers that differ and there is no one answer that will ever satisfy those who reason, ask questions and think about issues. 


Van Robison

Armstrongism and Social Media

LCG has a letter up to members regarding the use of social media and talking about Jesus Christ.

By Wyatt Ciesielka | Thursday, March 22, 2012

Social media services have become ubiquitous, and many Christians are asking whether, or how, to use them.  “If I use social media, should I talk about my faith?  If I do talk about my faith, what will my ‘friends’ think?  If I don’t post about my faith, am I guilty of not ‘letting my light shine’ (Matthew 5:16)?”  These are important questions!  What are the benefits, and what are the consequences, of using social media?

Wyatt goes on to ask:

So, if Christians choose to use social media, how should we use this technology?  And what are the possible consequences?  

So who is Wyatt specifically referring to here as "Christians?"  Your neighborhood Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian?  According to the official mouthpiece for the Living Church of God, Bob Thiel, there are no REAL Christians outside of the LCG.  Why didn't Wyatt refer to these Christians as "so-called" or "fake" as the official spokesman for LCG does?  So who is Wyatt referring to here - LCG members, of course.

Wyatt continues:

However, this does not mean that Christians [LCG] should proselytize, try to coerce uninterested social acquaintances or enter into foolish arguments (cf. 2 Timothy 2:14; 3:1-5). And while Christ expects our conduct, our words (and our posts) to be “honorable among your unbelieving neighbors” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT), we need to understand that Christianity has never been popular.

It's interesting that devout Christians in the "world" could care less if someone is offended at their talk about Jesus.  They understand what he means to them and want to share that good news with others.  Not that they do a good job of it, but the point is that they are unafraid to do it.

Yet, the Church of God has always been afraid.  Even God's most mighty Apostle could not discuss Jesus Christ or even God for that matter.  "Brethren, let me tell you about a strong hand from someplace." What the hell does a "strong hand from someplace" mean to people?  What kind of gospel message is that?  Why the shame?

The problem with COG  folk using social media for spreading their gospel revolves around the in-you- face attitude of so many in regards to law keeping.  How long can you spit out that people are sabbath breakers, or unclean because they eat pork and shrimp?  Or that that you must be keeping all the Jewish holidays and not the pagan, filthy, rotten, corrupt Christian days. Jesus Christ will not be discussed except as it pertains to Jesus Christ being a law keeper. Law will dominate, Jesus Christ will be barely mentioned.

However, this does not mean that Christians should proselytize, try to coerce uninterested social acquaintances or enter into foolish arguments (cf. 2 Timothy 2:14; 3:1-5).  And while Christ expects our conduct, our words (and our posts) to be “honorable among your unbelieving neighbors” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT), we need to understand that Christianity has never been popular.

Christianity or Armstrongism?

As Jesus reminded His disciples: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).  Although Christians should avoid contentions and foolish arguments, and although we are commanded, “Let [our] speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6), we need to remember in all our public interactions the biblical principle, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3).

Grace?  Grace???  How can speech be seasoned with grace when the topic is NEVER discussed without strict law keeping?  Who is walking with whom?  Apparently what Wyatt is specifically pointing out here is that your religious talk can only be with like minded LCGers since there are no REAL Christians outside of the LCG.  So why waste your Christ talk on unconverted, low life, dirty, fake, so-called christians who's sorry asses are going to get fired in the lake of fire.