Truth

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A new title in this admirable series of booklets lives up to the standards set by its predecessors. The question it deals with is perhaps THE basic question in our Western culture, for if a common truth for us all does not exist then there is no point in writing or in reading this booklet. So much in our society asserts that all that matters is what is "true for me" or "for you" and many are influenced by this in their views of morals, or religion, or life-style, and now even of science. But of course we cannot consistently live this way as one nation, so in fact we all have to trust one another in sharing a common truth to a considerable degree in our daily lives.

This means that our theory and our practice are all of a jumble, and between the proclaimed theory and at least some of the practice there is much inconsistency, if not actual hypocrisy. No wonder our country is all at sea, for the truth question runs across all dimensions of life, including the arts, and especially morality, and above all religion.

Dick Tripp's essay deals especially with these last dimensions and affirms the truth of the Christian faith among the main competing worldviews. His simple summary account of these is something we should all have readily available in our minds and be able to use to sort out and test the jumble of views tumbling about in our society. These pages are well illustrated by apt quotation and Scripture reference, and provide a clear, common-sense presentation of the essence of the issue. They should provide anyone who takes these matters at all seriously with a good start on the important question of truth in our lives.

Rev. Dr Harold Turner MA, DD, DD (Hons), Formerly teacher of theology and religious studies in overseas universities. In retirement, founder of "The DeepSight Trust: A New Zealand Initiative for Religion and Cultures".