You hear false claims all the time, in both politics and religion.

Falsehoods often find a ready audience.

“The time is coming,” says the Scripture, “when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but they will accumulate teachers to suit their own desires. They will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away into myths.” (II Timothy 4:3-4)

How do we know what is true?

The Bible models a careful and honest investigation of truth.

In writing about Jesus, Luke says, “After carefully investigating everything from the very beginning, I determined to write an orderly account, so that you may know the truth.” (Luke 1:3-4)

The Bible also models the value of listening to multiple reliable witnesses.

The Bible itself is a compendium of thousands of witnesses – people who told the story of how God worked in amazing ways.

The witnesses have continued through history; countless people tell of their experience of God’s presence and power.

The earth itself bears witness; its beauty testifies that there must be a Master Artist behind it all.

There are many witnesses, all saying the same thing – there is a God who reigns over all, who is at work for good.

Hear the testimony . . . and believe.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 146:2–3, 5–10
II Timothy 4:1–5

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.