If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true.
We think of a statement (in logic, a proposition or a fact) as true if it corresponds to a real state of affairs. As one professor hammered into our young brains, the book is on the table is true, if and only if, the book is on the table.
But Jesus is talking about testimony and not logical propositions. And he warns us that even is own testimony about himself is not true. Testimonies, it would appear, are true, if they are relatively free from self-interst and if they are confirmed by the testimony of another. There is another who testifies on my behalf.
On the evidence of two or three witnesses the death sentence shall be executed; a person must not be put to death on the evidence of only one witness. (Deuteronomy 17:6)
And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)
But who is the one who testifies on Jesus' behalf? We are yet to get there. But in chapter 8:
Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf. (John 8:16-18)
Speaking from a Friendly perspective, I would say it is the witness of that universal saving Light shining through our own fragile and imperfect human consciences. As we turn to it we can hear it all the better. And it rises up in confirmation.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! (2 Corithians 13:5)
But then again. Theory is always much more orderly than everyday life. And the sheep do not always recognize the shepherd's voice. And there are beasts, with the appearances of lambs who speak with dragon's voices.
3 comments:
"I would say it is the witness of that universal saving Light shining through our own fragile and imperfect human consciences. As we turn to it we can hear it all the better. And it rises up in confirmation."
This is beautiful. And, yes, theory is orderly, but experience is our reality. About the difference, we need 'discernment', and often another Friend to confirm it.
"And the sheep do not always recognize the shepherd's voice. And there are beasts, with the appearances of lambs who speak with dragon's voices."
This is true, one must have discernment, as Meredith wrote.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and my sheep know me
I guess it depends how you define 'sheep.' I think of sheep as Christ's own, potentially anybody. His sheep will listen with discernment. Those who twist his words aren't really his sheep yet. I make this differentiation only because this verse is so important to me, it brings me comfort. Am I one of his sheep? I certainly hope so, but so do they (those who see things very differently than I).
Marjorie, you are one of his sheep, and much more. We are all of his sheep; and he will bring us all into "the stature of the fulness of Christ".
Post a Comment