The Two Categories of God's Truth

 

We are told that Christ is the Truth - but what is the nature of His truth?

In philosophy, true propositions are often classified into two main categories: necessary and contingent.

Necessary Propositions: These are propositions that are true in all possible worlds and cannot be false under any circumstances. For example, "2 + 2 = 4" is a necessary proposition because its truth is independent of any particular situation or context.

Contingent Propositions: These are propositions that are true in some possible worlds but not in others. Their truth depends on the way the world is. For example, “property x will expand when heated." is a contingent proposition because its truth depends on the specific physical properties in nature.

It’s probable that necessary truths are also connected to who God is, in that they couldn’t be any other way; and contingent truths are connected to God’s creation, which could have been different, but constitute truths about the specifics of the world He chose to create. Therefore, in being called to seek the truth at all times, we are being called to assent to truthful, necessary propositions (which will bring us closer to God) and to truthful contingent propositions (which will enhance our understanding of God’s creation).