Christians should ponder Katherine Maher’s position on truth

Katherine Maher was hired as CEO and President of National Public Radio (NPR) in March of this year and is already making national headlines. She is forty years old and worked previously for Web Summit and as chair of the board of directors at the Signal Foundation. She was married last year to an attorney and stepped into her job at NPR a month ago.

Why should NPR’s brand philosophy matter to Christians?

NPR has existed since 1971. It was a product of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. When Johnson signed the Act he said, “Today we rededicate a part of the airwaves—which belong to all the people—and we dedicate them for the enlightenment of all the people. I believe the time has come to stake another claim in the name of all the people, stake a claim based upon the combined resources of communications. I believe the time has come to enlist the computer and the satellite, as well as television and radio, and to enlist them in the cause of education.”

NPR’s original purpose, according to its board of directors, was to “provide an identifiable daily product which is consistent and reflects the highest standards of broadcast journalism.” It was established as a non-profit but, due to significant budget issues in the early 1980’s, became largely supported by donations from listeners, charitable foundations, and corporations. Eventually the donors’ opinions began to influence the programming. 

In 2004 a Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting study reported that “NPR’s guestlist shows the radio service relies on the same elite and influential sources that dominate mainstream commercial news and falls short of reflecting the diversity of the American public.”

When the brand philosophy changes, so does the purpose.

Katherine Maher was on Ted Talk in 2022 when she gave her opinion about the importance of truth in journalism. She said, “Perhaps for our most tricky disagreements, seeking the truth and seeking to convince others of the truth might not be the right place to start. In fact, our reverence for the truth might be a distraction that’s getting in the way of finding common ground and getting things done.”

Every Christian would agree that we are surrounded by “tricky disagreements” in this world. Jesus sent his disciples into their culture saying, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Our purpose as disciples is to share the truth of God’s word with others. If we, as Katherine Maher suggests, see truth as a distraction that is “getting in the way of finding common ground,” we would be altering our purpose.

Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). The only way we can truly be a disciple of Christ is to “abide” in his word. When we allow the opinions of others to influence truth, we have ceased to abide or dwell in the truth of Christ. And Jesus said it was his truth that would set us free. 

Our opinions do not lead people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Our practical purpose as a disciple will change if our definition of truth isn’t biblical. Jesus said, “abide in my word.” The outcome of our testimony might bring people to church and even to a better life on earth, but if our testimony is anything other than the perfect truth of God’s word, we might not have brought that person to an understanding of their need for saving faith in Christ. 

“Bothsidesism” isn’t a biblical option

My husband wrote an article in 2020 saying, “A writer for the Columbia Journalism Review made an impassioned argument last December against “bothsidesism,” the journalist philosophy that “both sides” of a story should be covered objectively and fairly.” The writer went on to say that “the top duty of a journalist was to fight for the truth.” 

The problem: the journalist’s definition of truth was actually whatever opinion or position the journalist wanted to take on a subject. 

Christian disciples cannot be wise as serpents unless we realize the overwhelming need to abide in biblical truth rather than public opinion. The truth about Jesus sets people free and opinions will not. 

As you consider your own witness, is it completely based on the truth of God’s word, or has it been softened by the opinions of our culture? “Bothsidesism” isn’t an option for a Christian. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In the original language, the word translated “the” means “the only” way, “the only” truth, and “the only” life. If we share any other truth, we have not shared the truth about Christ.

Christians will not be “harmless as doves” if we are seeking to win an argument rather than seeking to win others to Christ. It’s usually a fine line and therefore easy to miss. If our goal is to win an argument, we will likely enter whatever arena is presented and fight with whatever weapons are necessary to win the battle. If our goal is to win a soul for Christ, we will stick to the truth—ALL the truth of God’s word. A dove doesn’t cause harm, and neither should our words.

What is your position on truth?

Our position on truth is defined not just by what we believe personally but by what we share with others.

Jesus came to his disciples and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).

Jesus issues the same call to his disciples today. His word has “all authority,” and we have been commanded to speak his truth. When we do, Jesus himself is with us, helping us always to serve him wisely. 

Our position on truth is directly related to our position with Christ. Are you abiding in the truth, the way, and the life? If so, his truth has set you free. Wisely, gently, share the truth with a culture that, like Katherine Maher, has lost “reverence for the truth.” 

Is Satan better at lying than Christians are at speaking God’s truth?

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[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Have you noticed that the truth gets lost in our political debates?  

Those arguments can quickly become about the rights people have versus what is right. Sadly, a lot of people under the age of forty have grown up hearing more political dialogue than biblical truth. 

Christians can learn a lot from the rhetoric of the abortion debate, LGBTQ issues, and the gender debates. Currently, Satan seems to be better at lying than Christians are at speaking the truth. 

Many Christians grew quiet when the children they loved started having sex with their dates. 

Many Christians stayed quiet when the children they loved lived as married before they were married. 

Many churches rightly made room for sinners but quietly accepted their sins in the process. 

Many Christians redefined holy as “pious” instead of being “born again” or “Spirit-filled.” 

Many Christians were compassionate toward the life of the mom but quiet about the life of her baby. 

Many Christians are filled with anger at people’s sins rather than feeling compassionate grief for what is driving their sins. 

Biblical correctness requires caring about God’s truth more than opinions or feelings 

Let’s think about it. 

The issue of abortion

A man can be charged with murder for killing an unborn child in a car accident. A woman, however, has the right to take the life of her unborn child at any time if her state makes abortion legal. 

Where is the “gender neutrality” in that fact? If gender is neutral, then will the man soon be allowed to determine his child’s right to life too?  

Biblical truth is easily seen in the baby’s beating heart on the sonogram screen. It is a baby. It isn’t right to take the life of anyone just because you want to. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to carry a child to term who was created through violence. At the same time, I have known wonderful, happy children who were allowed to live and lead a rich life, even though they were created by violence.  

Think about it. 

The biblical truth is that this fallen world has a lot of “tribulation” and always will. Our troubles don’t change God’s truth. We don’t get a pass because something is painful. A baby is a baby, whether or not it is wanted. Abortion shouldn’t be anyone’s right because it isn’t right.  

The issue of gender

I honestly don’t understand why this is an issue. A person is born as a man or a woman. It is a rare medical emergency if the doctor can’t hold the newborn and instantly know the baby’s gender.  

Biblically, it is fine if a person doesn’t want to marry. It is just fine if a person enjoys the companionship of someone of the same sex. What isn’t fine is the idea that if you love someone or just enjoy their company, you should include lust or sex in the relationship. At what point did our culture begin to believe that love, fondness, or personal enjoyment make a sexual sin acceptable? 

Scripture does not permit sex with anyone who is of the same sex, or with anyone of the opposite sex, before being biblically joined in marriage. I’ve watched God’s truth on this subject become silent, even disdained, in my lifetime. God’s truth hasn’t changed, but the opinions, teaching, and preaching of God’s children have changed dramatically.  

Think about it. 

What would our culture look like if people accepted the biblical message about the sexual relationship? Could our schools be stronger? Could our hospitals provide better care? Could crime rates dwindle? Could we be a better, happier world if children were raised with biblical values and character instead of simply given life and the permission to live it any way they choose?  

Morality will not be inspired by political legislation. It is a matter of sanctification. People need the Lord and they deserve to know his truth. 

The issue of personal freedom

Personal freedom was at the heart of most of the controversy in the New Testament. Our struggles today are the same struggles the early church endured. How free are we in Christ? 

Most of the Hebrew people were appalled at the freedoms the Gentiles enjoyed. Some of the early Hebrew Christians began testing the waters of forgiveness. The New Covenant taught that, no matter what they did, a Christian had eternal life promised to them. 

So, did it really matter if they wanted to sin just a bit?  

Personal freedom was Paul’s daily debate in the first century. Paul clarified Christian freedom saying, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). 

Our current debates about personal freedoms don’t represent a new problem as much as they reveal the truth about sin. The first-century issues still remain in the church today. How did the early church work to get past their issues and thrive? 

They had Paul and the other apostles who preached the gospel truth. The leaders preached the need for repentance from sin, not just acceptance of sinners. God wants all people to understand how to be made right with him rather than feel right about their sins. A person’s personal freedom was not given a higher priority than their holiness. 

Think about it: If Paul struggled in the first century with personal freedoms, shouldn’t we expect to struggle with the same issues in the twenty-first century? Shouldn’t we also trust that if the early church could thrive amid all their sins, the church today can do the same? 

Paul’s teaching remains truth today. 

Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

The truth: God is faithful

It is never our right to do wrong. 

And, let’s face it, God would say the same thing to us that he said to the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).  

It is our children who suffer when we don’t speak God’s truth. Some of our children in church today don’t hear God’s word taught, and others might believe God’s truth doesn’t apply to their generation. But the truth matters for everyone, and it will matter eternally.  

Has Satan been better at lying to our kids than we have been about teaching them the truth?  

The answers are in our statistics and discussed as political rhetoric in our news. God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. If we reject God’s truth, he will reject our ministries. Our kids and grandkids will be “forgotten by God on that day” if we don’t teach them the truth. 

Take a minute and see the faces that have come to your mind as you read. Picture them at the gate of heaven as they hear Jesus say, “I never knew you.” Christians will find it difficult to stay silent if they understand and believe that what Hosea wrote is God’s eternal and unchanging biblical truth.  

Is Satan better at lying than we are at speaking God’s truth?  

The early church fought their culture wars and won many people to faith in Christ. So can we. 

Remember that “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Satan will continue to be successful at lying until we get better at sharing the truth. Let’s start by caring as much about speaking the truth as Satan cares about telling his lies.

Who will you speak with that needs to hear God’s truth today? Will you pray for the strength and wisdom to share that truth with God’s love?  

People need the Lord.

God’s people can help. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]
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