Page 16 - The Plain Truth Spring-Summer 2026

What is truth –

and can you handle it?

Anchoring your faith in the truth of the Bible

James Hammond

* 0$! 9AA: Ƃ() A Few Good Men, a dramatic stability. In other words, ‘truth’ was whatever maintained
courtroom scene has become iconic. A young control. In the wider Greco-Roman world, philosophy had
Imilitary lawyer, played by Tom Cruise, cross- already debated the concept of ‘truth’ for centuries. Some
thinkers believed it was objective and discoverable. Others
examines a hardened colonel in the witness box, argued that truth was relative – shaped by perspective and
played by Jack Nicholson. ‘I want the truth!’ the circumstance.
( 35!. !) * /ī $! +(+*!( Ƃ.!/ 'ĭ ű +1 Sophists (Greek itinerant intellectuals) maintained that
can’t handle the truth!’ truth was subjective, relative, and totally dependent on
The scene crackles with tension. But beneath individual perception, culture, or context. To Sophists,
the drama lies a serious question: What is truth? reality was only in the minds of people.
In such a world, Pilate’s question for Jesus may not have
Is it simply information? Is it perspective? Is it been sincere inquiry at all. It may have been resignation.
power? Or is it something far deeper? ‘Truth?’ he might have thought. ‘Truth is whatever
survives.’ Pilate had asked the right question – but he did
Nearly two thousand years earlier than this movie, another not stay for the answer.
courtroom scene unfolded – far more significant than any
Hollywood drama. A Roman governor stood face to face The meaning of ‘Truth’
with a Jewish prisoner. The governor was Pontius Pilate. The Greek word used in John 18 is aletheia. It carries the
And the prisoner was Jesus. idea of ‘unconcealment’ – something revealed, brought
Standing before Pilate, Jesus says: ‘… the reason I was into the light. Truth is not manufactured; it is uncovered.
born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. It is what remains when illusion is stripped away. The word
Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’ (John 18:37). suggests that truth is not merely opinion. It is reality as it
This is an extraordinary claim. Jesus does not speak actually is.
merely about morality or politics. He defines his very In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word often translated
purpose in terms of truth. Pilate’s response is brief and ‘truth’ is emeth. This word carries a slightly different
pointed: ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38). And then – according emphasis. It means firmness, reliability, faithfulness,
to John – he walks away. constancy. Something that is true is something that can be
Was Pilate being cynical? Philosophical? Dismissive? We trusted. It endures – it does not shift.
are not told. But we can understand something of his world. So in biblical thought, truth is not just correct
Pilate was a Roman official. Rome prided itself on law, information. It is reliability. It is faithfulness. It is what
order, and power. For Romans, ‘truth’ was often practical. It stands firm over time. Truth is what cannot ultimately
was what kept the empire functioning. It was what preserved be hidden – and what can be relied upon. This is the

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