Alitheia Means Truth

I recall watching Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and studying Pilot's reaction where, in the quiet privacy of his palace, he questioned Jesus. Outside a furious crowd stood waiting, demanding His blood. The Jewish supreme court, the Sanhedrin, had arrested Jesus, accusing Him of blasphemy. Betrayed by a friend for 30 pieces of silver, denied by a loved disciple three times, Jesus had spent a sleepless night sweating blood in agony over what was about to befall Him. Bound and interrogated, spat on and stuck in the face, Jesus was on trial. He had openly rebuked the highest ranking religious leaders of His day; Caiaphas the high priest was livid. People were beginning to follow Jesus which threatened their authority. They wanted Him dead. But there was a glitch. Subject to the laws of Rome, the Jews were unable to carry out an execution themselves. For this reason they dragged Jesus before Pontius Pilate. The Roman Governor. The one who held the power to do what they so wanted. The scriptures describe what happened next:

28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. 13 It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and said, "What charge do you bring (against) this man?" 30 They answered and said to him, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." 31 At this, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law." The Jews answered him, "We do not have the right to execute anyone," 32 in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. 33 So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" 35 Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." 37 So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. 16 For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"  (John 18:28-38 NAB)

The subtle expression that crossed Pilot's face at that moment in the movie was like a smooth pond softly rippled by a sobering wind. It's impact left on my mind's eye years later. What had this Man just claimed? Did He say that He was not only a king, but a king from "another world"? Who had come into this world to testify to *the truth*? What truth? And how important must it have been to convey that God was prompted to come down from His heaven to impart it to a rejecting world?

The Greek word for truth used in this passage of scripture is ἀληθής or Aletheia. An alternative Greek spelling is Alitheia. In our pluralistic, relativistic and tolerant society the concept of an absolute truth is rather lost. Different religious traditions hold to different teachings, while many say that they all point the way to the same God. A common saying often heard is that *each of the different paths arrive at the same end*. But if this is true, then how do we explain the inconsistences that arise from their sharp divergences from each other? Do theological differences between Christians and non-Christians really matter? Do doctrinal differences within Christianity itself mean anything at all? Which *Christian truths* are true? And by what standard can we judge them?

I've received a myriad of questions having to do with topics like baptism, salvation, grace, sin, prayer, Mary, the saints, and the bible itself. Each blog entry will seek to deal with one topic at a time, presenting the Catholic perspective, presenting the Evangelical perspective, and then perhaps throwing in *my two cents*. (Perhaps not). Readers are welcome to examine the writings to determine what they trust and believe. If you see a link, please click on it for a deeper clarification and/or background on the topic. When quoting scripture I will attempt to use the Catholic New American Bible most often. If another translation fleshes out a fuller meaning, to aid in understanding I will include that alongside it as well. The bible was written in Hebrew (the Old Testament) and Greek (the New Testament). Because English is not as precise a language as the original Greek, it is often helpful to refer to the online Blue Letter Bible which translates and clarifies the original words. Next post up.. *Who Says*..

As always I pray that the Holy Spirit illuminate my mind and guide my heart endeavoring to "prepare and make straight the path for the Lord." (Luke 3:4)