September 28, Vice-President Kamala Harris spoke at George Mason University to commemorate National Voter Registration Day. Following her talk she took questions from the audience. That’s when a female student grumbled about the money the U.S. is providing to Israel and Saudi Arabia.
“I see that over the summer there have been, like, protests and demonstrations in astronomical numbers” about the Palestinian cause, the student said. She noted that “just a few days ago there were funds allocated to continue backing Israel, which hurts my heart because it’s ethnic genocide and displacement of people, the same that happened in America, and I’m sure you’re aware of this.”
The student then alleged that the money was being taken from Americans struggling with housing and health care costs, going instead “to inflaming Israel and backing Saudi Arabia and what-not.”
It was a teachable moment. Harris could have provided leadership. She could have helped the student distinguish between a discussion informed by facts as opposed to personal opinion, and she could have educated the student on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as corrected her slanted assessment of American history.
She could have. But she didn’t.
Instead, Harris’ reply was infused with the thoroughgoing postmodernism of our age, the vapid ambiguity that is born of our rejection of truth and facts in favor of personal preferences and feelings.
Listening matters, but so do facts
In our postmodern climate, especially with Gens X, Y, and Z, listening matters. We would avoid a lot of polarizing if we just took time to affirm that each person’s story is significant, and that each person deserves to be “heard.”
To her credit, Harris fostered this environment, saying that “nobody’s voice should be suppressed.” Harris said that she “was glad” the student brought up such concerns and that her opinion should be heard in a democracy.
So far, so good. But then Harris said, “And again, this is about the fact that your voice, your perspective, your experience, your truth, should not be suppressed and it must be heard, right? And one of the things we’re fighting for in a democracy, right?”
Rather than engage the student in the difference between facts and preferences, between knowledge and feelings, Harris coddled the student and made sure her opinion, no matter how inaccurate, remained unchallenged.
Your truth, my truth, his truth, her truth
In contemporary postmodern fashion, Harris characterized the student’s “voice,” “perspective,” and “experience” as her “truth.” She did not clarify the difference between feelings, preferences, or perspectives and actual, objective “truth” because, in our culture, there is no longer any difference. Truth is a subjective choice, not an objective fact.
Rather than correct the student with history, evidence, and facts, she let the student think that her opinion, no matter how invalid or inaccurate, was equivalent to “truth.”
The danger is obvious, and it is contributing to the breakdown in our culture. That is, if someone’s feelings or opinions are the same as “truth,” then you cannot question their feelings. You cannot challenge their ideas or opinions. And you certainly cannot point out that they are factually inaccurate, or that their version of history or events is just plain wrong.
If you wonder why our education system, at every level, has become focused on ideology rather than instruction, this is why. If you have wondered why the 1619 Project can gain traction when historians have criticized its lack of facts and staggering inaccuracies, this is why. And if you have wondered how 70% of millennials can believe, with all evidence to the contrary, that socialism is a good idea, this is why. And if you wonder why the law is breaking down in our culture and why common decency no longer exists in our public discourse, this is why.
What about you?
So what should we do about this? Christians should encourage respectful interaction about ideas. But our goal should not be to validate how we feel. Nor should it be to let any opinion go unchallenged. It should be the pursuit of the truth (Acts 17:16-34).
Remember these biblical practices that help guide conversations toward the truth while still respecting one another:
- Submit to God’s truth
The Bible does not recognize the subjective idea of “your truth.” But postmodern Christians are prone to stumble into the notion that our feelings and opinions matter more than God’s objective truth. After all, how many times have you read a “Christian” book or been in a “Christian” Bible study that asks things like, “How does this verse make you feel?” or “What does this verse mean to you?”
Such pandering to our feelings is dangerously misguided. God’s truth informs our feelings, shapes our opinions, and changes our thinking. His truth is objective, and we are called to conform to what He says is true, not the other way around (Rom. 12:1-2, Eph. 4:21).
It starts with you. Pursue God’s truth, not just the validation of your personal preferences or feelings.
- Listen more than you talk
When we have varying opinions, we don’t get to the truth by arguing. We get there by listening to and valuing one another. We don’t pretend that every opinion has equal weight or that every personal feeling is the same as objective truth. But listening cultivates a conversation that will direct us toward the truth (James 1:19).
Christian relationships rely on a consensus that, first, God has the truth, and second, our goal is to know His truth.
- Humbly receive the truth
As for you, remember that pride gets in the way of honest conversation and the pursuit of the truth. Being teachable requires humility. So, when the truth does not align with your opinion, and the facts defeat your preferences, don’t claim that your “truth” is unassailable. Instead, surrender your opinion and embrace the truth.
Freedom doesn’t come from enforcing your opinion, from being coddled or unchallenged, but in embracing the truth (John 8:31-32).
- Follow leaders who believe in objective truth
Leaders should guide the conversation toward objective truth, not away from it. So we should expect national and local government leaders to follow the facts, uphold the law, and adhere to objective truth. That is a basic requirement of fair and faithful leadership because it benefits the common good. Leaders who do otherwise will segment and divide people. It’s impossible to validate everyone’s feelings all the time and still remain united. And trying to make everyone happy is not leadership.
And this applies to all leadership, including pastors and other church leaders. God’s truth is the guide for leaders to follow. Rather than ask your pastor to pander to your feelings, ask him to stand on the truth, preach the truth, and lead with the truth. And to do so regardless of how you feel about it (Titus 1:9).
Seek the truth and let God use other people to get you there. That’s how He designed you to learn and grow (Ps. 25:5, John 16:13).
Because when it comes down to it, you don’t need “your truth” validated. You need God’s truth to live by.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
John 16:13