‘Faith and Life’ series concludes with lecture on truth claims

Home News ‘Faith and Life’ series concludes with lecture on truth claims
‘Faith and Life’ series concludes with lecture on truth claims
Gregory E. Ganssle is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Courtesy | Biola University

Man cannot help but make “truth claims,” said Professor of Philosophy Gregory E. Ganssle at the last lecture of the “Faith and Life” series on March 3. 

“If we can avoid these types of truth claims and we can avoid holding them, we can work toward developing cooperation rather than causing conflict,” Ganssle said. 

Ganssle spoke about the confusion that has occurred in the modern age in sorting out morality in relation to truth. 

“Moral disagreements get mired in accusations of arrogance,” Ganssle said. 

He continued in speaking about the role of personal freedom and its power to urge men to deeply seek the truth in life. 

Throughout his lecture, Ganssle compared the views of modern German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche with the commands of Jesus. 

He introduced Nietzsche’s book entitled “The Genealogy of Morality” in its new way of challenging the traditional understanding of the value judgments of good and evil. 

“Is the whole practice of making moral judgements good for human flourishing or not? Have they up to now obstructed or promoted human flourishing?” he asked. 

Ganssle said Nietzsche was concerned with human flourishing and therefore, was interested in whether morality promoted personal freedom or not. 

Ganssle presented the perspective of morality stemming from a source of resentment. 

“In communities, the strong weed out the weak and exploit them,” he said. “Exploitation produces resentment.” 

Therefore, moral judgment becomes a source of strength for the weak people to exact revenge against the strong. 

Ganssle also talked about the ascetic ideal, which obligates man to submit his passions to some higher goal or calling.

Yet, Ganssle also warned listeners to be careful in studying Nietzsche. 

“He does believe in truth, but we have to be suspicious of how he posits his truth,” he said. 

He continued to emphasize the role of truth in compelling man forward for meaning. 

“We make truth claims about how we should live our lives — our quest for freedom, to find meaning,” he said. “In our quest to be human, to find meaning, purpose and freedom, we need to navigate the world in terms of reality.” 

After talking about Nietzsche, Ganssle transitioned by making the connection between Christ and the truth. 

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” Ganssle said, quoting Jesus from the Gospel of John. 

From here, he spoke of the relationship between sin and the truth. Sin is the greatest obstacle to achieving this truth as it breaks man’s relationship with God. 

“Sin is our rebellion against the relational purpose for which God created us,” he said. “We walk away from our dependence on Him.”

Ganssle ended his talk by encouraging students to put these “truth claims” into action by living out the Gospel through listening and engaging with other people. 

“I thought it was a really instructive way for interacting with the world beyond ourselves,” senior Zack Miles said. “There’s a lot of insight into the approaches you can take that are not traditional which is a really useful skill to have.” 

Senior Stephen Whitney also commented on the mission approach of the talk. 

“We’re called to proclaim the kingdom of God and how to stand up for it,” Whitney said.