In the spirit of this week’s book giveaway (for which there is still plenty of time to enter), I thought an excerpt from Thomas Watson’s, “Heaven taken By Storm” was appropriate. Although, please note that this quote is not extracted from Kistler’s work (I have not received that yet) but rather from the 1816 edition that has been graciously made available at the library at Hail and Fire.

On this subject of truth, I cannot help but wonder at how far American Evangelicalism has fallen. Error, falsehood, compromise, deception, and flat out lies have all come to chip away at the bedrock of the Christian faith.

Truth is the very nature of Christianity.  It is the character of God (Psalms 31:5).  It is Jesus, full of grace and full of truth (John 1:14).  Christ crucified is truth (Galatians 3:1).  The Gospel of our salvation is truth (Ephesians 1:13). There is no worship of God apart from the truth (John 4:24). The Holy Spirit guides us in truth (John 16:13). There will never be a single  discussion of eternal value on Jesus Christ apart from the truth.

As Watson explains, truth is the ground of our faith.  Take it away “and our faith is fancy.”

Yet, no matter how blurry the lines have become, the solid rock that lies beneath will never be moved. “The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of our Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:25). Truth conquers.

“Truth is the most glorious thing; the least filing of this gold is precious; what shall we be violent for, if not for truth? Truth is ancient; its grey hairs may make it venerable; it comes from him who is the ancient of days. Truth is unerring, it is the Star which leads to Christ. Truth is pure, Psalm 119:140. It is compared to silver refined seven times, Psalm 12:6. There is not the least spot on truth’s face; it breathes nothing but sanctity. Truth is triumphant; it is like a great conqueror, when all its enemies lie dead, it keeps the field, and sets up its trophies of victory. Truth may be opposed, but never quite deposed. In the time of Dioclesian, things seemed desperate, truth ran low, soon after was the golden time of Constantius, and then truth did again lift up its head.  When the water in the Thames is lowest, a high tide is ready to come in. God is on truth’s side, and so long there is no fear but it will prevail: The Heavens being on fires shall be dissolved. 2 Peter 3:12 but not that truth which came from Heaven, 1 Peter 1.25.”

Thomas Watson