Message from Pastor Mark:
 

“With little notice from the outside world, the community-written encyclopedia Wikipedia has redefined the commonly accepted use of the word ‘truth.’” 

-Simpson Garfinkel, MIT’s Technology Review

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  -Jesus of Nazareth, John 8:31-32, NIV 

Over the past decade, a new website has cropped up with which some of you are familiar.  It is known as Wikipedia.  Simply put, Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that is written by you, me, and anyone else who makes the effort to add their “two cents” to its entries.  Entries are created by an individual and then built upon, expanded, or altered by anyone with access to a computer, regardless of whether or not that person is an expert.  In the end, articles are little more than a conglomeration of information that has been pulled together in one place.

                At first glance, Wikipedia seems like a great idea.  Information is easily available to everyone, and the opportunity exists to edit or alter that information as needed.  Furthermore, Wikipedia makes use of a diverse cross-section of knowledge, drawing from the perspective of anyone willing to share their voice.  Critics though, point out that Wikipedia suffers from problems of accuracy and reliability.  In the final analysis, Wikipedia has an integrity problem when it comes to truth, which is the one thing that you absolutely need when you use an encyclopedia!

By now I am trusting that you are wondering why I would spend time writing about Wikipedia for a church newsletter article.  Good.  We are on the same page!  What I am hoping to do is to get us reflecting upon truth and its implications for our lives.  What is true?  Is simply anything that you and I agree upon to be understood as truth?  What makes something accurate, perfect, and truthful as opposed to skewed, blemished, and fraudulent?  Wikipedia has one approach.  What about us? 

As followers of Jesus Christ, we must never forget that we are people who follow Truth.  Jesus Christ was born into the world to reveal the Truth of all things.  Put another way, Jesus Christ was born into the world to be the Truth in all things and to set us free.  That is the conviction that we share as people of faith, and the belief that we celebrate throughout this time of year.  All things are to be seen in light of the Truth, born into a manger some 2000 years ago.

Friends, in the months ahead, we will be making our way through Advent in anticipation of our remembrance of Christ’s birth.   The birth of Jesus Christ is a story about God’s desire for the world to know the Truth behind everything else that is claiming to be true.  Yet the story does not stop there.  This story is to be taken as our own.  Jesus’ birth is really the true story about your birth and mine.  It is my prayer that our times of fellowship, worship, caroling, and service during this season will remind us that Truth has come into the world, and it has set us free!

Grace and peace,
 

      Mark

Updated: November 19, 2008

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