Response to:
"The important thing in life isn’t having truth, but searching for it."
Response: This is self-refuting. The challenger thinks he knows the truth about life, that is, "we should only search for the truth but not claim to have found it."
There are several reasons why people say this challenge. (1) They are just mindlessly parroting what they heard from other people. (2) They are copping out of the hard work it sometimes take to find the Truth. (3) It is a smoke screen to cover up other questions or problems. Let's look at each of these.
The Parrot
It is vogue among the politically correct to appear to be searching for the truth. The educated elite have convinced themselves, as well. Yet, as usual, the person hasn't really thought about it. Let common sense prevail!
A conversation like the following could help point this out.
Responder: "Well, it seems like you think you have the truth about at least one thing."
Challenger: "What do you mean?"
Responder: "You think it is a true statement that 'the important thing isn't having the truth, but searching for it?' So you are claiming to have found the truth about searching for the truth. Can I ask you another question?"
Challenger: "Yeah, I guess."
Responder: "If you told me you were sick, how would you feel if I said, 'Well, you know, the important thing about being sick isn't getting well but seeing doctors?' This is expensive and foolish in the both the physical and spiritual realms. Do you see how you are contradicting yourself? It seems to be a popular thing to be in the process of searching for the truth but it is very unpopular to claim to have found it. I think you are just repeating what you've heard other people say without really thinking about whether it makes sense or not."
The Cop out
Some people are unmotivated or feel overwhelmed when it comes to learning answers to the ultimate questions of life and so this becomes a cop out. They've heard it from other people, perhaps older, burned-out teachers. They think, "Boy, if this professor has been trying to figure it out his whole career then how can I hope to ever find the right answers."
In this case a little empathy and leadership might help.
Responder: "What makes you think that?"
Challenger: "Every religion has a different answer and a lot of learned people have debated for centuries about what they think is the truth, how can I hope to ever find it?"
Responder: "I do agree with you that when it comes to finding the true answers about the ultimate questions of life the search is pretty daunting. There are major religions and minor religions all saying something different. Then there are all the philosophies and the social and political ideologies. It's hard to even know where to begin, isn't it? But just because finding something is difficult doesn't mean that it can not be found. When Jesus talked about the prospect of finding the truth He promised that everyone who seeks the truth will find it." (Matthew 7:7-11) You know, I'd like to know more about the different answers given by the different religions, myself. Would you like to investigate them together and talk about it more?"
The Smoke Screen
This challenge can be just a smoke screen to cover up other questions or problems.
Sometimes it is not because they are lazy or overwhelmed that people use this excuse; they actually know what the truth is and are trying to avoid it. They really are searching for truth elsewhere. It is like the song, "Lookin' for love in all the wrong places." In countless other songs like it, the singer knows he or she is the only one who can truly love and provide for the other person but the other person doesn't want to admit it yet. They are still looking for love from one person after another. The challenge might simply be a conversation stopper.
The following conversation might be used to uncover what the smoke screen is designed to cover up.
Responder: "Sometimes when a person makes such a sweeping dismissal about finding truth I sense that the real issue is they don't really want to find the truth. This might come from the fear of what the truth would require of them. It might come from the fear of the rejection that might come from one's friends or family. What are you afraid of happening if you really did find truthful answers to the ultimate questions of life?
Conclusion
Even though this challenge initially makes the person sound philosophically sophisticated it takes very little to blow the cover. What is even more important is that we are assured by Jesus that when we seek the truth we will find it. He promised,
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to you children, how much more will you Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11)
When we seek the truth God doesn't just sit and watch and say, "I sure hope he stumbles across my Truth, otherwise I have no way of helping him." No, God answers our request. When we are willing to accept a little bit of Truth when He shows it to us, He will show us more and more in progressive steps. But if we consistently reject what He shows us, He certainly is not obligated to keep showing us more. Which kind of person are you, the kind who readily accepts His Truth and asks for more or the kind who rejects what you don't want to hear? Trust that God's Truth is the perfect Truth for you to live by and you will not be disappointed.
References
Budziszewski, J. How to Stay Christian in College. Colorado Springs: NavPress. 1999. p. 69, 72
Copyright 2005. Gary C. Burger and New Media Ministries. This article may be reproduced and distributed freely as long as it is done so in its entirety. If quoted it must be properly cited as a reference.
