Speaking the Truth

by Rev. Eric Folkerth

“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.”
— Jesus

“What is truth?”
— Pontius Pilate

After several months of optimism and hope about the direction of our nation and world, this morning I am again saddened and depressed by the news of the day.

COVID cases are on the rise, and disinformation about vaccines is again rampant.

And at the heart of it all: A continuing fight over, as Pilate says so artfully, “what is truth?”

Pilate understood that he didn’t have to argue his own “truth.”

He just had to undermine the idea that *Jesus* was speaking truth.

(In fact, one of the things that frustrates readers most about Pilate’s portrayal in the Gospels is that he merely “washes his hands” of making a decision, and allows others to take the blame…)

Friends, this is the primary, and most dangerous issue of our day. Pilate is engaged in the very same tactics so often used in our world today. In  social media —and in far too many “traditional media” sources as well— the goal seems to be to SOW DOUBT.

You don’t have to have a credible position to defend. You just have to undermine your opposition’s POV by suggesting that the truth is unknowable.

(Or, as an added bonus, shriek: “what about (fill-in the blank), instead?!!!”

The surest path to *undermine* truth is simply to suggest there might be another opinion that is equally valid, and equally true. But that is simply not correct. Some things are “true” while others are not. And some leaders are courageously standing up for the truth.

But, heartbreakingly, doctors are posting stories of those who are dying because they have not received the vaccine. Today, I’ve been deeply moved by the words of Dr. Brytny Cobia, a physician from Alabama, who tells this heartbreaking story:

“I'm admitting young healthy people to the hospital with very serious COVID infections. One of the last things they do before they're intubated is beg me for the vaccine. I hold their hand and tell them that I'm sorry, but it's too late. A few days later when I call time of death, I hug their family members and I tell them the best way to honor their loved one is to go get vaccinated and encourage everyone they know to do the same. They cry. And they tell me they didn't know. They thought it was a hoax. They thought it was political. They thought because they had a certain blood type or a certain skin color they wouldn't get as sick. They thought it was 'just the flu.’ But they were wrong. And they wish they could go back. But they can't. So they thank me and they go get the vaccine.”

Now, you might applaud the good doctor for sharing this story. However, after posting this, she ALSO has stopped commenting on the situation for now…because of the anger that has come her way, simply from telling the truth.

It’s instructive to remember that from the very first time Jesus spoke in his hometown, people wanted to kill him. And as Pilate throws down “What is truth?” Jesus hours away the crucifixion that had long been feared.

Speaking the truth is not without risk. Speaking the truth can get you harassed by your opponents, or worse.

Do it anyway.

After vaccinating the surviving family members of those who are currently dying, Dr. Cobia says this:

“I go back to my office, write their death note, and say a small prayer that this loss will save more lives.”

Friends, it’s not Christian to oppose science. St. Augustine told Christians —more than 400 years ago— that if science discovers things that appear to conflict with your Christian faith, in God’s name, believe science and revise your faith…not the other way around.

So, I’ll end with one more plea for everyone to get vaccinated; the truth-filled words of Dr. Cobia’s friend, Dr. David B. Wilhelm:

“I will repeat my statement from last week: If you haven't had Covid and are unvaccinated, there is a significant likelihood you'll get Delta variant Covid in the next 60-90 days. If that offends any of you, then so be it. There is no more time to sugar coat this. Vaccines are readily available and are your best tool to fight this infection. Almost 99% of all Covid deaths are now in those who are not vaccinated. Don't wait until it is too late.”