It was a simple question. But the answer revealed the ever-evolving nature of truth in our society.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's answer confirms that the definition of truth has eroded to such a degree in our society that an outsider might do well to wonder if the residents of planet Earth were falling headlong down a rabbit hole into a Wonderland of their imagination.[1]
Senator Marsha Blackburn asked Jackson,
“Can you provide a definition for the word 'woman'?”
(CSPAN)
To which, Jackson replied,
“I can’t. I’m not a biologist.”
While many may have been shocked by her answer, others may not have been surprised at all. To articulate fact-based truth has become so suspect that one almost expects definitions to be fluid. It has become acceptable for words to have different meanings to different people depending on their “truth.”
No longer is it surprising or humorous to hear utter fantasy described as fact by otherwise intelligent people–it has become commonplace. Today denying facts that mankind has understood from the beginning of time is not only defended but also applauded.
Essentially, we have chosen to believe a lie.
It is common to defend fantasy by citing “scientists” as though anyone who would dare to disagree is not only not scientific, but ignorant. Nevermind the fact that science is based on a method requiring “collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses” (Merriam-Webster). The appeal to “scientists” by pseudo-scientists conveniently chooses to ignore the findings of countless brilliant men and women throughout history up to and including the present day.
The lack of agreement on objective truth and even the redefinition of truth according to one’s views is not new; it has just devolved into absurdity.
So, imagine sometime in the future you are sitting before a Senate committee and being grilled about your religious views. And a senator asks you,
“Can you provide a definition for the resurrection of Christ?”
Would your answer be the socially acceptable, “No”?
Perhaps under such pressure and unsure of the consequences, you might try to evade the question and say,
“I’m not a theologian.”
Are you prepared to answer the critics’ theories such as:
His disciples stole His body
The Romans stole His body
He swooned and later regained consciousness
The eyewitness reports were all hallucinations
Could you offer a reasonable answer to the simple question, “Can you define the resurrection of Christ?”[2]
In the face of extreme hostility, would you?
The truth of the existence of Jesus is not doubted by any serious scholar today. The evidence of the resurrection of Christ demonstrates this historical event is not based upon hearsay, religious tradition, or myth.
Instead, one may find ample evidence based on historical eyewitness accounts, extra-biblical literature, archeological finds, and the radical, irreversible change that took place in society and still permeates the world to this day. Best of all, millions can personally testify to the impact of the resurrected Christ upon their lives. Taken together, the evidence tilts the scales. One would be wise to take the bodily resurrection of Jesus seriously.
May we all find such assurance and faith in the resurrected Son of God that we live lives transformed by His power and are compelled to bear witness to the truth in a world that denies and distorts it.
So, don’t "ask Alice” or anyone else who falls into a “rabbit hole” and invites you to join them in a Wonderland of their own fantasies.[1, 3]
Choose to seek the truth and speak the truth.
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Cor. 15:1-8).
He is risen!
Mark Bordeaux
[1] Lewis Carroll. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Millennium Fulcrum Edition, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11/11-h/11-h.htm.
[2] c.f. 1 Peter 3:15
[3] Grace Slick. Jefferson Airplane, "Ask Alice," 1967.