Table of Contents
In John chapter 18, Jesus tells us that He came into the world to testify to the truth, is Himself the way the truth and the life, and that all who love truth will recognize that what He says is true.
In other words, Jesus keeps telling us that truth is not something that we discover from within ourselves, but rather that it is something outside of ourselves that we must come to understand and submit to. According to Jesus, to understand the truth, we have to listen to what He is saying and testifying about, love Him, and look to Him as our source of truth and life. Truth is not subjective or simply a matter of experience or opinion and is vitally important to follow Him.
In His conversation with Pilate, Jesus offers him a chance to understand the truth of who He is and why He came. However, Pilate is not interested in understanding the real truth. He responds with a common skeptical or cynical question we may also hear from others: What is truth? Pilate is not convinced that there is such a thing as real or objective truth outside of himself or how he feels. In the end, he turns Jesus over to be crucified because that is the easiest and most politically correct decision.
Pilates response is a common approach to morality rooted in what has been more recently termed postmodernism. Postmodernism proposes that there is no such thing as objective moral truth and that all truth merely arises through culture or is individually decided. According to post-modern thinking, no persons truth is greater than another because people make their own meaning. Also, from a post-modern worldview, the meaning of words themselves is questioned, allowing people or groups to deny the meaning of words or even historical views of reality as merely subjective and culturally determined notions. An example of the post-modern worldview is the current debate over whether biological sex and gender are synonymous or if the meaning of gender is self-determined and fluid.
In spite of this assertion against external sources of authority or objective truths, however, it is inescapable that people look to someone or something outside of themselves to define truth (Science, the Bible, the Quran, A Political Partys ideas, Friends, Family, Mentors, etc., or even Postmodern philosophy and theory itself). None of us came up with our beliefs all on our own. The only real decision we make as we become adults is who or what our ultimate source(s) of authority for truth will be. Who will be our God? To whom or what will we submit? The idea that we are created to worship and give something or someone authority in our lives is reflected in the first commandment where God says, You shall have no other gods before me. If we dont choose to worship and give authority to God, we will replace Him with other gods of various kinds. Its automatic. When anything but God becomes our source of truth, authority, and focus of worship, we will turn to worship created things and follow other worldviews and sources of authority.
For Christians, Jesus and His teaching is the source of Truth through which all choices and ethical decisions must be made, because Jesus is God. Christians dont get to decide what is morally true all on our own. Instead, we look to Jesus and the Bible to define it and give us the principles to follow. We follow and help others to know truth because we know that doing things the way our good Father and designer originally intended is always better in the end.
All ethics are based on decisions about what is morally right or wrong, good or bad, or better or worse regarding choices and behavior. As social workers, the NASW Code of Ethics is a source of authority outside of ourselves by which to make moral and ethical decisions. For Christians, Jesus and the Bible are the final authority shaping our worldview and by which seek to make moral and ethical decisions.
Christian Worldview discovering truth and aligning ones life with the Truth and the person of Jesus sets people free.
Postmodern Worldview – only personal truth and choice matters. People find freedom by freeing themselves from the expectations and restrictions of others and making their own meaning.
Prayer:
Jesus, life is often confusing. As a social worker, I will work with people who have deep problems and pain. I acknowledge that I dont always know the answers or truth that will help me or others. I confess that it is sometimes easier just to do what I want, what is better for me, or what makes the fewest waves. Help me to see that all real truth comes from you and is evidence of the good design and desires you have for me and others. Help me to know how to lead others to the truth and you as The Truth, that they might be free.
Instructions
- Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Be sure to site the devotional content and resources in your answers.
- Read the devotional content above.
- Watch the videos, Do All Religions Lead to God? and Are You Tolerant?
- Based on the videos, explain your thoughts on the exclusivity, truth claims, arrogance of believing in truth and tolerance. How might you apply these ideas when discussing issues with clients or others? Be specific.
- Give an example of how you have seen postmodernism or the rejection of Ultimate truth play out in the real world around you or how it has affected social work theory or practice.
- What have you been taught to believe about truth and where it comes from? How do you think this affects your work and decision making as a social worker?
- What source or sources of authority do you use when deciding what is true, right, or wrong? (The Bible? Yourself? Friends? Another book, person, political view, etc.) Explain which is the most important in your decision making and why?
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