The Colours of Truth

Isaac Newton (1643 to 1727) had a huge influence on all civilization and how we look at things.  His ideas in science on how the universe is ordered were enormously influential in “The Age of Enlightenment”, shaped by a group of intellectuals in the 1700’s who sought to mobilize the power of reason to reform society and advance knowledge, especially in Europe. 

These people shaped a world view that lasted for two centuries: the world view of Moderns was shaped by how these people saw truth.   The thinking established at that time has influenced how we believe truth to be in our Christian faith even today.

People influenced by Modern thinking see truth as something that can be proved, or measured or documented; truth is objective.  When Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life” perhaps how we look at truth has put Jesus’ words in too small a box.

Here is an illustration that might help.  Under the sea, most of the spectrum of light is soon scattered or absorbed; green light penetrates the deepest into the ocean. The first picture shows sea anemones on the sternpost of a shipwreck 85 feet below the surface, where only green light penetrates. Everything looks green.

The second picture, of the same sea anemones, is taken with flash, which has the full spectrum of light. The same sea anemones now have bright pastel colors. Which is truth?

Both are true.  When we only had green light shining on them, the anemones looked green; when we had the full spectrum of light shining on them, they showed many colours.

When we look at truth with only the colour of objectivity, as moderns have been taught to do, we see truth in just that color. If we add the colors of creativity, imagination, beauty, awe, relationships, love, and perhaps other colors that you can think of, then truth can become much brighter, richer and more colourful.  When Jesus said “I am the truth”, perhaps this is even more awesome and richer a statement than we have been taught.

Can we learn to look at truth with more colors than objectivity alone? Will truth be more beautiful and powerful if we do?

Contributed by Eric