Exploring Veritology:
The Quest for Truth in a World of Lies
In a Bible class session, the facilitator introduced "The Truth Project" by Focus on the Family, led by Dr. Del Tackett. This eye-opening series kicks off with "Veritology: What Is Truth, Part 1," a term Tackett coined by merging the Latin "veritas" (truth) and Greek "logos" (study of). It’s essentially the pursuit of truth, rooted in biblical principles, and it’s designed to challenge our worldview.
The class structure is practical: two 30-minute video segments every two weeks, with resources available online. Links to the Truth Project site, Tackett’s website, and custom slides make it accessible—many materials are free. The "worldview compass" mnemonic stands out: North for Truth (God), with points representing God, social order, and man. These four pillars frame discussions on God’s design versus cultural distortions.
The core message? Our society is gripped by "social insanity," as Tackett noted 19 years ago, and it’s only worsened. Contemporary culture opposes biblical truth at every turn, peddling lies that lead to chaos. Jesus Himself came to "testify to the truth" (John 18:37), a mission often overlooked amid talks of salvation and miracles. The class emphasizes distinguishing truth claims: God’s unchanging assertions in Scripture versus the shifting sands of human opinions, like evolution versus creation.
A poignant challenge: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" This probes the link between truth and faith—believing God’s claims leads to transformation and salvation. The session wrapped with a prayer for discernment, urging us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and view the deceived with pity, not contempt. They’re captives of lies; only truth sets free.
This intro to The Truth Project reminds us that the cosmic battle isn’t just abstract—it’s daily. In an era of "alternative facts," anchoring in God’s truth isn’t optional; it’s essential for sanity and eternity. If you’re seeking clarity, dive into these resources. Your worldview might never be the same.
Delving Deep into Veritology:
Unpacking The Truth Project’s Foundation on Truth
Introduction: Setting the Stage for a Transformative Journey
In an unassuming Bible class on December 4th, a group gathered to embark on "The Truth Project," a curriculum from Focus on the Family spearheaded by Dr. Del Tackett. The session, titled "Veritology: What Is Truth, Part 1," serves as the gateway to a 12-tour exploration of biblical worldview. As the facilitator explained, the class would break videos into two 30-minute parts biweekly, fostering deeper engagement. This isn’t just another study; it’s a call to arms in a "cosmic battle" between truth and lies.
Drawing from emailed links and the church website, participants were directed to resources under "current Bible classes." The Truth Project’s official site (thetruthproject.org) offers videos and study guides for around $10, while Tackett’s personal site (deltackett.com) provides free materials like "The Engagement" and the full Truth Project toolkit. Custom slides tailored for the class were also shared, including a leader’s guide handed out to empower attendees as co-leaders.
What struck me immediately was the intentionality. This isn’t passive viewing; it’s an invitation to build a worldview compass, a mnemonic device with four points: Truth (north), God, Social Order, and Man. These encapsulate God’s revelations about reality, Himself, human society, and our nature. Subtopics branch from these, aiming not just for knowledge but transformation—"to look upon the face of God and be transformed in the process."
Coining Veritology: The Study of Truth
Before diving into the video, the facilitator demystified "veritology," a word absent from dictionaries because Tackett invented it. Combining Latin "veritas" (truth) with Greek "-ology" (study of, from "logos," meaning word—as in John 1:1, where Jesus is the Logos), it signifies the systematic study of truth. This etymology ties directly to Christ: "In the beginning was the Word." Examples like biology (study of life) or theology (study of God) illustrate the pattern. Veritology, then, is truth about truth, a lens for examining life’s big questions.
The video itself (copyrighted and not transcribed here, but slides available via the church link) runs about 29 minutes, covering up to outline point 3E. It sets up the series' thesis: Contemporary culture clashes head-on with biblical truth, leading to "social insanity." Tackett, speaking 19 years prior, presciently warned of this trajectory. Today, the facilitator noted, our culture’s descent into madness is undeniable. The pivotal question? "What is truth?"—echoing Pilate’s query to Jesus (John 18:38).
Tackett challenges viewers: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" This isn’t rhetorical; it’s the crux. Faith hinges on truth. If our beliefs aren’t grounded in reality, they’re illusions. The video highlights how Jesus' mission included testifying to truth (John 18:37), an aspect often sidelined in discussions of His redemptive work.
The Worldview Compass:
Navigating Truth, God, Man, and Social Order
Central to the project is the worldview compass, a tool for remembering the four fundamental issues. North points to Truth—God’s absolute standard. East to God Himself, the source of all. South to Man, created in His image yet fallen. West to Social Order, the divine design for human interactions, now fractured.
The leader’s guide elaborates: Our goal transcends mere facts; it’s beholding God’s face for personal change. It introduces the "cosmic battle," pitting God’s truth against the "lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil." Points to watch include culture’s opposition to Scripture, its lie-filled path to insanity, and the urgency of truth in society.
Post-video discussion reinforced this. Truth claims are key: When asked "What is truth?", responses reveal underlying assertions. Evolutionists and creationists view the same facts but make competing claims. Evolution says random processes; creation, with biblical aid, affirms God’s six-day work (Genesis 1). But only Scripture provides objective divine truth claims—unchanging, unlike humanity’s fickle ideas.
The facilitator stressed: Facts are neutral; interpretations are claims. Creationists aim to echo God’s claims, but accuracy demands scriptural fidelity. This battle mirrors Eden: Adam and Eve chose between God’s word and the serpent’s lie. We face the same—God’s claims versus those from news, friends, experts. Scripture warns: God created in six days. How does that fare today? Contested fiercely, it’s the essence of the fight: Truth vs. lies.
Referencing Hebrews 5, the mature train to distinguish good from evil, truth from falsehood. We’re not born discerning; it comes from "constant use" of God’s Word. Human truth shifts—decades ago, beliefs differed; now, they’re fluid. God’s? Immutable. Praise be.
Connecting Truth to Faith and Salvation
Question time drew from the leader’s guide, with Focus on the Family’s "truth claims" as answers. First: Jesus testified to truth (John 18:37). What did He mean? It’s tied to His mission—redeeming, saving, but also revealing reality. When crowds guessed Jesus' purpose, none mentioned truth. Yet, it’s central: The battle began in Eden over truth claims.
One’s truth concept shapes faith. Believing God’s claims leads to salvation; doubting breeds deception. The key distinction? Biblical truth is objective, correspondence to reality (e.g., Webster’s 1828 definition, teased for next week). Cultural truth? Subjective, relativistic—"your truth, my truth."
The session noted we hadn’t covered all, like dictionary contrasts, but urged reviewing slides (up to #34) with Scriptures and arguments. These aid self-study, reinforcing video points.
Prayer and Reflection: Pity for the Deceived
Closing in prayer, the facilitator invoked help to discern via God’s Word, transforming from worldly thinking. "Let us no longer be deceived by the world’s truth claims… help us act on Your truth." He prayed to become tools freeing others from Satan’s snare.
An afterthought: View "outsiders" with pity, not contempt. They’re deceived, acting on lies. Only truth frees (John 8:32). Transformation? Stop conforming; renew minds (Romans 12:2). Learn God’s claims, live them.
Broader Implications: Why This Matters Today
In 2025, with misinformation rampant, The Truth Project feels prophetic. Tackett’s 2006 warnings of cultural lies and insanity? Spot-on. From gender debates to origins, truth claims clash. Science says one thing; Scripture another. But as the class posits, facts don’t interpret themselves—worldviews do.
Consider evolution vs. creation: Same fossils, divergent stories. Evolution’s claim: Billions of years, chance. God’s: Intentional design. Which aligns with evidence? The project argues Scripture, but encourages scrutiny.
Social order’s decay—family breakdowns, moral relativism—stems from rejecting God’s design. Man’s nature: Sinful, needing redemption. God’s character: Holy, truthful. Truth undergirds all.
Faith-truth link is profound. If truth is relative, faith is baseless. But if God’s claims are real, believing transforms. Salvation isn’t blind; it’s trusting verifiable truth—Jesus' resurrection, a historical claim.
Challenges abound. Media bombards with "experts'" claims. Yet, as Hebrews urges, maturity discerns. The project equips for this, building a robust worldview.
Personal Takeaways and Call to Action
This session left me pondering: Do I really believe? In daily choices—politics, relationships, ethics—God’s truth must prevail. Pity for the lost? Revolutionary. They’re captives; we’re ambassadors of freedom.
If intrigued, access resources: Truth Project site for guides, Tackett’s for free content, church slides for visuals. Engage the questions: How does truth affect faith? What’s biblical truth’s distinction?
In a "post-truth" world, veritology isn’t academic—it’s survival. Anchor in God’s unchanging claims. As the prayer echoed, may we escape deception, help others, and behold God’s face.