This Pentecost sermon invites us to reflect on what it means to live in a “post-truth” world—a cultural landscape where feelings and opinions often masquerade as facts, and truth feels fragmented and elusive. Doyt challenges us to see this moment not as a crisis for the Church, but as an opportunity to rediscover and share what we already know: truth is not just a set of doctrines, data, or provable claims. Truth, as revealed by Jesus in John 14, is relational—something we meet, abide in, and live through. Jesus redefines truth as himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” inviting us not into theological certainty, but into relational intimacy with God. This truth is not measured or proven; it is embodied in love, mercy, and communion. The Church, for all its historical missteps—whether chasing scientific certainty or doubling down on rigid fundamentalism—has always been a place where diverse truths coexist around the common relationship with Jesus. And in a fractured, post-truth culture, this relational witness may be exactly what the world needs.
Pentecost, then, is a celebration of the Spirit of Truth—not as a lecture or solution, but as a companion, an advocate, and a presence. Doyt reminds us through personal stories, like that of Mrs. and Dr. Winkelman, that truth is often revealed not through facts but through love in action—words with flesh upon them. As Christians, we are called to live out this truth not by shouting louder or conquering others with certainty, but by abiding in love, listening deeply, and showing mercy. Our God, as Trinity, demonstrates that relationship is at the heart of all truth. The Spirit of Truth equips us to navigate a post-truth world not through power or argument, but through communion with God and each other, carrying the peace of Christ into the world. This is the truth we celebrate and share: not a doctrine or position, but a person who meets us in love and sends us out in love.
Reflection Questions for this Week:
- How does Jesus’ definition of truth as a relationship, rather than a set of provable facts, challenge the way we interact with and respond to the “post-truth” culture around us?
- Reflect on the story of Dr. Winkelman’s words to Doyt. How can small, relational acts of love and affirmation embody the Spirit of Truth in our daily lives?
- In a world often divided by echo chambers and competing “truths,” how can our faith communities create spaces of communion where diverse perspectives are held together in relationship with Jesus?