Nothing but the Truth. So help me God.

"The first law of science is that the truth has not been found. The laws of science are working hypotheses. The scientist knows that at any moment facts may be found that make the present theory obsolete; this is happening now constantly. It's amusing. In a religious tradition the older the doctrine, the truer it is held to be."  Pathways to Bliss, Joseph Campbell

When I read this quote yesterday, in a flash I recalled a conversation from nearly twenty years ago.

I'm about to introduce you to the third most rigid "Christian" fundamentalist I have ever met. The second most rigid "Christian" fundamentalist I have known was one of my best friends in high school.  Back then he was a fun, easy going guy who brightened up any conversation or occasion of which he was involved. Then something happened to him. Nobody knows exactly what happened. Whatever it was destroyed the best parts of him as far as I'm concerned.  Last year after he offended and insulted me for the last time in the name of "Messiah" (the only acceptable name for Jesus), I unfriended him.  I don't mean on Facebook. I told him that I never wanted to speak to him or see him again. Ever. And I shook the dust off my feet. The first most rigid "Christian" fundamentalist that I know is this man's younger sister. Not "this man" , me, but "this man" who I  unfriended. Growing up she was as friendly as her older brother. Now she spews horrible things from her mouth and her pen  in the name of Jesus, much like the folks of the Westboro Baptist Church do,  What happens to people? Where in God's name do they get the idea that vitriolic tirades have anything to do with the love of Jesus?  But just ask Jesus. He had quite a bit of personal experience with people like these.

It was supposed to be a business lunch.  I met the man at a local restaurant to present some concepts and to convince him to do business with me and my company. He was a nice looking, well-dressed and seemingly intelligent young man. I had high hopes that the meeting would end with business for both of us. After I talked a few minutes about the subject matter I had come to discuss, somehow the conversation quickly became a theological discussion.  Since I was buying lunch and it was apparent he wasn't going to be buying anything from me, I decided to make the most of the situation.

The conversation went something like this:

"So you're saying that 'the truth' is something that's set in stone.  It never changes."

"That's right.  If it changes, then it wasn't the truth."

"What about coming to a deeper understanding of something?  Isn't that finding the truth?"

"No it's not. Something is either true or it's false. There is no in between.  There can be no deeper understanding of the truth.  It's just the truth."

"So the truth is take it or leave it?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Then what about Sunday School, Bible studies and theological education.  Aren't we there to learn and to discover the truth for ourselves?  Can't my understanding be different than your understanding? And can't my understanding change over time?"

"The only purpose that Bible study serves at any level, is to teach the truth--the truth about the Bible, the truth about God and the truth about salvation.  There is no other reason to study God's Word. No we can't hold different opinions on what is true or one of us is wrong. There are different stories, but there aren't different truths." 

"So at a theological seminary, for example, the entire truth of the Bible is already known.  I am there to learn that truth and not to discover new truth."

"That's correct. There is no new truth.  If truth was new, then what went before was not the truth. And if what went before was the truth anything new would be false. The truth doesn't change. Jesus said, 'And ye shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.'.   If it's not the truth then you will wind up in the chains of deception. This is the work of the evil one and not the work of the Lord" 

"So I pay my tuition, attend the classes, take the exams to learn and to memorize the truth.  This truth has been known for generations and will not change for generations to come."

"I hope it doesn't change.  Because if it changes then the professor is teaching falsehoods and not teaching the truth. Like I said, something is either true or false. There is no in between." 

"Then when I go to church from the cradle to the grave, all the truth of scripture is known. My only job is to learn it and repeat it indefinitely."

"That's right.  That's the truth."

"Check please."