Apologetics,  Christian Life,  Philosophy,  Theology

Thoughts on a New Title

I have been pondering the idea of changing the name of this blog for a few weeks now.  For anyone who knows me, “The Pursuit of God” is a blatant shout-out to one of my favorite authors, A.W. Tozer.  His writings, particularly The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy, have a had a profound impact on my life.  In his time he wrote about the challenges Christians will be facing today in our American culture, and he was right.  He also writes in a way that really inspires me to consider how grand and marvelous God is.  I serve a God who cannot be contained within any box I construct.  I serve a God who is incomprehensible which strengthens my faith knowing that my life and eternity is in the hands of someone much bigger and more powerful than myself.  So for these things and many more, I thank you A.W. Tozer.

That being said, my desire with this blog is to honor the Lord in my pursuit of Him and to engage people of all types in thoughtful dialogue concerning God and Christian faith.  I recently listened to a debate on the Hugh Hewitt radio program between Christian author/scholar/pastor Mark D. Roberts and author/atheist Christopher Hitchens called the Great God Debate.  The debate was quite fascinating and both men did a great job of respectfully defending their positions.  I must also mention that Christopher Hitchens recently debated theologian Douglas Wilson over email concerning the question “Is Christianity Good for the World?“.  In listening and reading these debates, along with numerous other articles and lectures, I have found that the issue of truth is fundamental.  What a person believes is true will shape their entire lives and worldview.  There is no doubt that an atheist can do some good works and claim them to be moral acts.  However, what is the standard for morality?  Who determines it?  If not God, then who?  Who is the truth, the standard for life?  Obviously there is much more we could get into concerning this idea.

In light of this fundamental issue, I am changing the name of this blog to Pursuing the Truth.  As I think about this title, I find meaning in the use of each word.  The Truth is not just a concept or philosophical idea.  The Truth is a person by the name of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said it himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”  This person, the Truth, laid down his life in our place to take on the punishment due to us by our sin.  He was crushed for us and then rose from the grave in order that we could be loved by God and given eternal life with Him in heaven.  The definite article preceding Truth is also important.  Jesus is the Truth, not truth.  In a pluralistic and relativistic world, many people may claim that believing in Jesus has some value but no more value than any other religion or belief system.  It is a truth among many truths.  The verse above dispells this notion of multiple truths.  To believe in Jesus is to believe in nothing else as the truth.  His claim separates Christianity from all other religions, philosophies, and belief systems.  Finally, I love the word pursuit or pursuing.  It refers to the idea that we are continually chasing after the Truth, examining our lives in light of the Truth, and then changing how we look and how we live to match the Truth.  In all of this I hope and pray that this blog serves you well in drawing closer to the Truth.  I hope that you will come to know the Truth and proclaim it to your families, friends, communities and the nations.

0 Comments

  • sharingburdens

    I like the title. The truth is the only standard that is stable…if that truth you follow is THE truth…the word of God. So many people are living following truth by what they feel, emotions, trends, society…and when those change, they have nothing. Good words!

  • jalash

    Thanks for the comments and encouragement Rindy. It is hard to find hope in the things of this world when they are constantly changing. The pleasure and sense of fulfillment we draw from material things and “new” trends (which include philosophies, worldviews, self help speeches, etc.) show themselves to be temporary.The things people place their hope in become outdated and so they have to rethink their lives in light of this stuff and these trends. This can’t be what life is all about? What if you can’t keep up? Do you get left behind? Is this survival of the fittest? Amidst all this change and inconsistency (which include my emotions, moods, actions) we can find hope, comfort, and joy in knowing that God never changes. This means that despite all our inconsistencies and failures, God loves us period. Your right…the Truth never changes…it never gets old or outdated.

  • sharingburdens

    Rindy here again–same person–different name 😉 I like your thoughts…and am “shamelessly” plugging this new blog–linked here. It’s a place for people to search these questions, dump their baggage, discuss difficult issues and ‘share their burdens’. And what’s cool is…anyone can post on it and it can all be anonymous if wanted!!! check it out!!!

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