32. GOD, "HE WHO IS", IS TRUTH AND LOVE

GOD, "HE WHO IS", IS TRUTH AND LOVE

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 32

Ave Maria Series

32.  What does it mean that God is truth?

God is light and in him is no darkness” (1 John 1:5).  His Word is truth (Proverbs 8:7, 2 Samuel  7:29), and his Law is truth (Psalm 119:142).  Jesus himself vouches for God’s truth by declaring before Pilate, “For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).  [214-217]

Pilate asking Jesus, “What is truth?” Painting by Nikolai Ge, 1890. …..32

The truth of God cannot be “proved” or subjected to empirical tests, since science cannot make him an object of investigation.  And yet God subjects himself to a special sort of proof.  We know that God is truth on the basis of the absolute credibility of Jesus.  He is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  Anyone who enters into a relationship with him can find this out by putting it to the test.  If God were not “true”, then faith and reason could not have a dialogue with each other.  An agreement is possible, however, because God is truth, and the truth is divine.

“If God’s point of view does not exist, there is no truth beyond our subjective perspectives.”   Robert Spaemann (b. 1927, German philosopher)

“After I discovered that there is a God, it was impossible for me not to live for him alone.”  Blessed Charles de Focauld, (1858-1916, Christian hermit in the Sahara Desert).

[214-217]

GOD, "HE WHO IS", IS TRUTH AND LOVE

214  God, "HE WHO IS", revealed himself to Israel as the one "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness".( Exodus 34:6.)²⁷ These two terms express summarily the riches of the divine name. In all his works God displays, not only his kindness, goodness, grace and steadfast love, but also his trustworthiness, constancy, faithfulness and truth. "I give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness."( Psalm 138:2; compare Ps 85:11.)²⁸ He is the Truth, for "God is light and in him  there is no darkness"; "God is love", as the apostle John teaches.( 1 John 1:5; 1 Jn 4:8. )² –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

God is Truth

215   "The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever."(  Psalm 119:160.)³⁰ "And now, O LORD God, you are God, and your words are true";( 2 Samuel 7:28.)³¹ this is why God's promises always come true.( Compare Deuteronomy 7:9.)³² God is Truth itself, whose words cannot deceive. This is why one can abandon oneself in full trust to the truth and faithfulness of his word in all things. The beginning of sin and of man's fall was due to a lie of the tempter who induced doubt of God's word, kindness and faithfulness. --CCC

216   God's truth is his wisdom, which commands the whole created order and governs the world.( Compare Wisdom 13:1-9.)³³ God, who alone made heaven and earth, can alone impart true knowledge of every created thing in relation to himself.( Compare Psalm 115:15; Wisdom 7:17-21.)³⁴ --CCC

217   God is also truthful when he reveals himself - the teaching that comes from God is "true instruction".( Malachi 2:6.)³⁵ When he sends his Son into the world it will be "to bear witness to the truth"(John 18:37.)³⁶ "We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know him who is true."( 1 John 5:20; compare John 17:3.)³⁷ --CCC