A student works with at least two common types of materials in a reading regimen. The stern writings relate to what might be called research descriptions, from presuppositions to conclusions. Based on, and appreciated, the recording is taken as highly authoritative in the veracity (genuineness) of the author to represent some research of measurable facts leading to a conclusion. This is often referred to as scientific. It is so, if the rules are followed. The other materials may be designated as general. They begin with the creativity of a searcher/thinker, and are enhanced by the applications of activist/communicators who learn how to advance frontiers. The better the style of language the greater is the impact upon the reader, and, perhaps in the society. The reader prefers paragraphs or lines to be well constructed, with interesting sentences – with awareness of what is acceptable and appealing. We prefer excellent materials in this form from a competent person, just as we prefer the ministrations of a well-groomed person over a poorly groomed person. There is some mystery to it, but we acknowledge that it is a practical mystery for success in carrying meaning and impression. Excellent communication is persuasive for truths or falsehoods.
Henry Thoreau wrote a classic in 1854, after living simply for some months in a cabin in the woods on the shores of Walden Pond. The story has occupied the attention of English teachers and those interested in finding life meaning, during the time period since Thoreau wrote it. His observations were his, therefore true for him. We tell the truth when we are faithful to express his views as his, even if, in research, some part of his views may be found to be false. For example, he wrote that the natural world is filled with: an infinite and unaccountable friendliness. Quite a statement is this – to use words like infinite and unaccountable. Readers have quoted him often and approvingly. In a book review by Brad Leithauser, on the Deadly Kingdom, by Gordon Grice, readers find creatures threatening as: patently murderous sharks, crocodiles, bears – but even better when recounting the hazards of those regarded as cuddly and benign . . . . . bunnies that have taken off fingertips, swans with a blow of their beak have killed children. . . . Which is it to be friendliness, or danger? The reviewer wondered if Thoreau had looked more carefully: he might reconsider his observation. It is likely that most of us would answer: It is both friendly and dangerous! In such an instance the words infinite and unaccountable would have to go for something more modest and detailed, to describe the conflicting context of nature. Thoreau lived in a somewhat limited environment.
Here is a lesson from Job, perhaps the oldest book in the Bible. Job said many good things, and in his context they were true. At least it is true that he believed them, and acted on them. His three friends were true to their several contexts, and what they said was true of their beliefs and conduct. There was meaning in what they said. At last God spoke, and the men were humbled in the aftermath of their discussion. The narrative is striking in the Lord’s answer to Job: Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? Arrested, Job returns to higher thinking in the context of faith. He responds as any of us might, faced with the same situation: I will lay my hand on my mouth. (NEB) (How many times have children put their hands to their mouths when a knowing parent has made clear some proposition missed by the child?) God’s children may also have to rethink their approach to God, and rethink his replies. God does not ask for silent acceptance, but he does not warm to an unbelief that reduces him to a contender who does not know the truth of the creation, even the truth/falsity of single individuals. It is little wonder to recognize that of the ten or so major factors we know about in the nature of God, truth is one of them. Whatever is true is of God. The great error is to fail to acknowledge that there is one who has all truth and will be faithful in applying it fairly to every living individual of his creation. The image of God affirms it in mankind. Knowing human limitations, God offers Scripture, so to introduce to another context of thought and truth than that found only in nature, with some part of space a part of nature. God will never be located in that space and earth, so requires another way (faith) to learn. We may call it heaven’s truth, available only in faith. Not guesswork, God’s truth works in human experience that verifies it. It is taught in Scripture and verified in the experience of those who have taken it seriously. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020