The Truth About Truth

Martin Nyanzu

Description

We are beings designed to seek truth, it is against our nature to live lives not grounded in truth. Even when we are telling a lie, we hope we are true about it. We will still seek the truth even if we deny it can be known.

Truth is a bitter pill to swallow, yet it delivers us from bondage and destruction. It is often said truth “hurts,” but does it? or it is lies that hurt? We are in a social conflict because the so-called postmodern era allows for creation of meaning even if it defies reality. Regardless of our perception about the nature of truth, we will still seek it even if we claim it “hurts” because we can’t live without it. Martin Nyanzu examines the nature of truth, what it means to say truth “hurts,” and identifies some of the popular lies currently trending in our culture.

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Philosophie de la religion
• Religion
• Christianisme
• Lies
• Hurt
• Déception
• Truth
• Deception
• Apologetics
• Philosophy
• Philosophie et théologie
• Religious

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 22 juin 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9798385000388
• Langue: English

Extrait

In several years of leading the youth ministry for the Church of Pentecost U.S.A., Inc., I have learned with awe the value and life-transforming power of truth in today’s generation. Yet I have also seen the apparent rejection of truth by skeptics whose lifestyles are condemned by the same truth. Among the many battles we face today, the battle for truth remains at the forefront, especially given that truth gives us the societal structures that breathe meaning and fulfillment into human relationships and governance. As forcefully narrated by the author, the very pillars of government for the United States still rest on the time-tested Christian truths the founding fathers engaged in at the onset. In “The Truth About Truth….” the author skillfully blends illustrations from daily life with spiritual facts to humorously debunk the claims of cynics and truth killers. The relevance of this masterpiece is demonstrated in how the material exposes the adverse impacts of modern pleasure, mundanity, and the rejection of reality on the very fabrics of our beautiful culture and society. This book is a must-read for adult minds seeking the truth about the truth, especially for upcoming generations involved in defending their faith in the community and college campuses.
George Mike Portuphy (Aps. Dr.)
Youth Director, The Church of Pentecost U.S.A., Inc.
 
“This book explores truth claims and Christian apologetics from a Pentecostal perspective. Christians interested in furthering their belief in objective truth in relation to secularizing societies will find this an appealing and energizing book, with bold, practical implications for embracing approaches to apologetics that are Spirit-driven, conversational, and incarnational.”
Allison L. Norton, Ph.D
Faculty Associate in Migration Studies and Congregational Life Director of the Pastoral Innovation Network of New England Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
The Truth About Truth
 
Why Truth “Hurts”, Yet We Still Seek It
 
 
 
 
MARTIN NYANZU
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2023 Martin Nyanzu.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
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Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 979-8-3850-0036-4 (sc)
ISBN: 979-8-3850-0037-1 (hc)
ISBN: 979-8-3850-0038-8 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023911018
 
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 6/21/2023
 
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
 
Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked GW are taken from GOD’S WORD®. © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. Used by permission.
 
Scripture quotations marked NEB are taken from the New English Bible, copyright © Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press 1961, 1970. All rights reserved.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To Deborah: My dear wife who speaks the truth in love.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Over the years, the congregations, and leaders I have encountered and worked with, respectively, have tested my commitment to speaking the truth, dispensing it, and even standing for it in unpopular times. I would like to recognize these local churches and their leaders for shaping my perspectives on truth and its significance, but most importantly, for pushing my limits to develop the courage to stand for the truth.
Through the numerous counseling sessions, problem-solving meetings, and congregational governance, I have realized that while truth “hurts,” it will always be sought. Two associate ministers who have been my greatest motivators in documenting my ideas are Dr. Jones Owusu-Twumasi and Edward Ofori. They are the very people who helped in proofreading and editing this book. Gentlemen, I am forever grateful for your sincere support and for speaking the truth to me in love.
I want to mention Apostle Michael Agyemang-Amoako, the National Head of The Church of Pentecost U.S.A., Inc. He scheduled me to do an extensive book review of the church’s publications; at that time, I felt a strong desire to document my thoughts leading to the publication of this book. I have been variedly inspired by his leadership and innovative prowess.
My dad and mom, Joseph (of blessed memory) and Paulina Nyanzu taught me how to identify and defend the truth; I would have been a coward. Without fail, my dear wife and children always listened to my ideas and offered intriguing thoughts. They often surrounded me with prayers, laughter, and encouragement at the home office, activating my endorphins which kept me focused on writing this book.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Is Truth Dead?
The Truth
Truth – Does It Hurt?
The Opposite of Truth
Speaking the Truth in Love
Bibliography
FOREWORD
In Fall of 2015, the author, Pastor Martin Nyanzu, walked into my class at Pentecost Theological and Leadership Institute now the Pentecost Biblical Seminary (PBseminary) formerly located in Leominster, MA, now in Wayne, NJ. He was among a cohort of uniquely gifted students from the Church of Pentecost USA and the Church of Pentecost Canada, enrolled in ministerial and theological training. To be sure, I was appointed as president of the PBseminary in that same Fall of 2015. This largely marked the beginning of our friendship before we later became workmates. Interestingly, he joined the staff at PBSeminary in Fall 2021 as the Students’ Coordinator. It is during this time that we worked closely on several significant projects related to the seminary. I quickly noticed his intellectual acumen, readiness to learn, and love for apologetics. Admittedly, I was delighted when he first told me about his interest to study for a PhD. This book introduces him as among the new generation of pastor-theologians that will make a significant contribution to the academy and ecclesia. Precisely, he has found a niche in Pentecostal apologetic landscape.
His passion for truth informs and shapes the arguments proposed and explicated in the fabric of this text. As someone who knows the author personally and vocationally, he is a fitting advocate for truth-telling. This book offers an opportunity to church leaders, believers, parents, and young ones, to embrace the practice of truth-telling regardless of what it may cost you. This is also the passion of Jesus, the truth-teller par excellence (John 14:6). Passion for truth-telling requires an epistemological posture of humility. In this sense, this book is a polemic against cancel culture. Those abhorred by the philosophy of this age that is plagued by a dearth of truth will find this book aptly inspiring. The Johannine writer identifies ‘truth’ (John 18:37) as the central motif of Christ’s mission. The author asserts that both clergy and laity have a common call to advocate for truth in all spheres of life. He also makes a compelling case that truth telling can traumatize. In this age hooked upon postmodernism that privileges relativism, worships subjectivity, and invariably roars against objectivity, there is a conspicuous shortage of truth-tellers. In this sense, this book is a means of recruiting truth-tellers that can stand up for truth as we await Christ’s return. In fact, the author is unequivocal about what is at stake if people don’t stand up for truth.
In addition, the author helps readers understand implications of unwillingness to tell the truth. Significantly, he contends that unwillingness to tell the truth essentially allows falsehood and evil to prevail. This is in stark contrast to the early disciples who refused to be silenced by their antagonists from testifying to Christ, even at the expense of their lives. Thus, this book insists that truth telling is not merely an intellectual exercise but requires the help of the Holy Spirit. Reminiscent of the early church, this book is a timely reminder that martyrdom li