What Is Truth?

Our modern Western culture is identified by theologians as "post-modern," defined in part by a belief that truth is subjective and there is no absolute truth. In the Bible the issue of truth is central. In fact, Jesus said, "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth." (John 18:37). If at least one of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to testify to the truth, it appears that truth is a rather important issue! Even in Jesus' time the issue of truth was questioned and debated; take for example the Greek philosophies. Men sat around all day debating what was truth.
This brings me to the passage of the week, 1 John 1:1-4, "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete."
As I read this the first question in my mind is, "Why is John so insistent that he was a physical witness of the things he was sharing with his readers?" It is helpful to understand a little background to this letter. John was writing to Christians in churches that had been touched by false teachers. These were men who combined Greek philosophy with Christian doctrine to create something entirely unique... and false. At the time some of the primary heresies were Docetism: the belief that Jesus did not have a physical body but only appeared or seemed to do the things reported of Him. Also the teachings of Cerinthus: that Jesus was merely human but the divine Christ possessed him at his baptism and left him at some point before his crucifixion. And finally an early form of Gnosticism: strict dualism in which the spirit and flesh were sharply distinguished resulting in the belief that sin in the flesh did not impact ones spiritual standing before God. In the very opening verses of his letter, John attacks the doctrines of these false teachers. Obviously, if John was able to touch Jesus, then Jesus had a real physical body; Docetism cannot be true! If the Word of Life was with the Father and if we have fellowship with the Father AND His Son Jesus Christ, then Cerinthus cannot be true because Jesus Christ is in fact divine. In a period of three verses John adequately puts to rest the two most incipient teachings harassing the church. Jesus is God and man, 100% and 100% in one body.
This was important to John because it was the truth. He did not want the Christians, who at that time did not possess the whole Scripture as we have it, to be deceived by the lies of ungodly and unprincipled men. John knew the truth and he was made joyful by the knowledge that others were made aware of that truth.
Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32). The Psalmist wrote, "The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting." (Psalm 119:160).