Politics

 

In today's political climate there is a lot of controversy swirling around. Terms like "impeach," "voter fraud," "treason," and, of course, "collusion" are used with great frequency on the airwaves; and your perception of the issues can be highly influenced by the broadcast you are tuned in to. Partisan arguments can be very compelling, but nothing can be more compelling than the truth. But with all the rancor going on, your version of the truth can be a distorted representation of fact. Even when some things appear to be obvious, and an ongoing investigation of the highest caliber exposes misdeeds, it all depends on the reporting that you listen to when it comes to the impression that you come away with. Some pundits will engage in reductionistic tactics to convince the listener that something isn't as important as it seems to be. They use variations of the phrase "nothing but" to minimize key aspects that don't support their own narrative. And because the mind can be very impressionable, objectivity, or open-mindedness, can be replaced with a convincing argument.

We find ourselves living in different realities, because the set of "facts" we embrace are dramatically different from those embraced by others. This is something a theory known as the Mandela Effect addresses. Some people believed that Nelson Mandela had died in prison, and were strongly convinced of it. This kind of mental stance can place you in an alternate universe. Even when you're proven wrong, like about "a man on the moon," you can say it's all a scandal.

In 2 Timothy 4:3 the apostle Paul writes:

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires (philosophies, partisan points of view, biases), they will gather around them a great number of teachers (pundits, experts, commentators) to say what their itching ears want to hear." (Parentheses added.)

There is also a very striking Old Testament example of this. In 1 Kings, 22nd chapter, we read about Ahab, the king of Israel, and how he gathered around him about four hundred men who all gave him a favorable prophecy. But when his colleague Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, called for a "prophet of the Lord," Ahab, at first, did not want to consult him because, as he said, "...I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil" (v. 8). And after this prophet, Micaiah, gave his opposing (and true) prophecy Ahab was outraged, saying to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" (v. 18); and he procceeded to have him thrown into prison (v. 27).

A well-known Roman prefect of the first century, A.D., asked the question, "Quid est veritas?": "What is truth?" When Pontius Pilate posed this question he was speaking to the Truth Himself, right before he declared him innocent (John 18:38). There are many religions, philosophies and convictions that are recognized around the world. As Christians we believe we will someday be with our Lord forever. He tells us:

"Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:1-2)

He also gives us this assurance:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (v. 6)

Immediately following Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection a longstanding propaganda was put into effect:

When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 28:12-15)