What is Truth? Why We Need to Know

People yearn for what’s true, authentic, and reliable. That seems to be in short supply in today’s overabundance of instant news. It posits itself as truth. But with so many spins on each story, they can’t all be true.

Similarly, the entertainment industry capitalizes on movies “based on true events” because viewers readily connect with real people’s struggles.

Faith-based shows with Christian values are surprising the entertainment industry by often outperforming secular movies. In response, now Amazon has an entire division investing heavily in growing that segment of its offerings. To that end, it’s secured exclusive rights to the cinematically stunning series House of David (already renewed for a second season) and The Chosen (for its remaining seasons).

In parallel, this month VidAngel Studios is releasing its animated movie The King of Kings, based loosely on Charles Dickens’ short story of telling the Gospel as a children’s story to his own children.

I love seeing God’s Word come alive in such productions. People who might never set foot in a church are hearing biblical truth in an engaging way. At the same time, measured skepticism tempers my enthusiasm. It prompts me (and should prompt you) to ask what Pilate asked of Jesus: “What is truth?”

For example, here are a few things the producers got right in House of David:

• Saul disobeyed God by sparing the life of Agag, king of the Amalekites.
• Samuel anointed David after passing over all his brothers.
• David went vertical in praying to God before he fought Goliath.

But House of David also took major liberties:

• Portrayed David as an outcast bastard son
  Such speculation comes from the Talmud, a record of Jewish oral traditions and interpretations of the Mishnah.
• Portrayed Saul’s wife, Queen Ahinoam, as rejecting God and utilizing sorcery (spells and potions) to try to avert Saul’s descent into madness
• Placed Samuel at the Valley of Elah when David fought Goliath
  The Bible does not say the prophet was there.
• Made much ado about David’s relationship with Michal (Saul’s daughter) before he kills Goliath
  Such speculation likely comes from Bible verses two chapters after Goliath’s death.

Did the writers go too far with those liberties?

On this fifty-fifth anniversary of the infamous Apollo 13 mission, we might answer with, “Houston, we have a problem.”

People can wholesale believe everything in productions like House of David is true because the stories come from the Bible.

So a better question to tackle is, “What is truth?”

There’s a difference between storytelling that illustrates biblical themes versus depicting biblical events recorded in God’s Word.

To ensure we know the Truth in both cases, we need to dig into the Scriptures. By doing so, they promise we will:

• Gain godly wisdom and discernment (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Philippians 1:9-10)
• Enjoy spiritual nourishment (Jeremiah 15:16, Matthew 4:4)
• Keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 30:16)
• Be equipped to teach, correct, and encourage others (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Resist temptation and sin (Psalm 119:11)
• Grow closer to God (Psalm 119:18)
• Have an attitude of gratitude toward Him (Psalm 103:1-22)

Productions such as House of David or The Chosen can be wonderful springboards for friendly, fruitful conversations with others who might not be familiar with His Word. Godly wisdom and discernment will guide our talk so we can bear witness to His salt and light.

I write biblical fiction. First and foremost, I take pains to ensure I’m true to the biblical narrative. Where the Bible’s details end, I turn to historical records of the day and archeological discoveries to craft authentic scenes and storylines. If exhaustive research still leaves gaps, my sanctified imagination fills in the blanks. But even then, I take care to maintain realistic boundaries. It’s a high calling, and I take it very seriously. For anyone who wants to know everything that is true in my books, I can share a lengthy list.

In today’s “post-truth” culture, many people don’t believe absolute truth exists. But if someone asks us, “What is truth,” we can be absolutely certain of the truth of God’s love for us and how He demonstrated it through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He did that so sin would no longer keep us from having the eternal relationship He designed for us to have with Him. Praise God for that immutable truth! Exalt Him this Easter!

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Survival Secrets, book 2 in my series “The Magi’s Encounters,” is in production with my publisher!
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BONUSES:
Jim Denison compares and contrasts The Chosen, House of David, and The King of Kings here.

My most popular past blogs for the Lenten season:
How Many People Did It Take to Arrest Jesus?
The Deepest Hurt, the Biggest Burden, the Heaviest Lift
Where Would You Go If Jesus Said, ‘Meet Me At …?’