Time For Truth

by Os Guinness

In postmodern society, truth no longer exists in any objective or absolute sense. At best, truth is considered relative. At worst, it's a matter of human convention. But, as Os Guinness points out in this book, truth is a vital requirement for freedom and a good life.
Time for Truth urges readers to seek the truth, speak the truth, and live the truth. Guinness shows that becoming free and truthful people is the deepest secret of integrity and the highest form of taking responsibility for ourselves and our lives. Now in paperback, this engaging book will interest Os Guinness fans, thoughtful readers, and those concerned with moral, political, and cultural issues.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Philosophy, Cultural, Nonfiction, Theology, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Os Guinness (D.Phil., Oxford) is the author or editor of more than twenty-five books, including The American Hour, Time for Truth and The Case for Civility. A frequent speaker and prominent social critic, he was the founder of the Trinity Forum and has been a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies. He lives near Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nature of truth is one of the most important topics of our time. Is it more importantly to be morally true (as we see it) than factually true? This book, although twenty years old, still asks some important questions.

[Tony Laplume · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in peculiar times. I would call ours the age of doubt, a curiosity as we find ourselves the repositories of a whole world’s history, a world more aware of all its corners and heritage than at any point in history. And it has left us crippled with doubt, struggling to contend with the rush of what science alone has accomplished in the last two hundred years, but more importantly haunted and unable to cope with the lingering effects, and implications of, World War II, still, inconveniently, less than a century in our past and yet so much of it still shielded by platitudes, the same condition that brought us its horrors in the first place.

So Os Guinness produces this little book, this criticism of the age, and a quarter century after its publication we have soundly ignored it. We slunk deeper away from its inconvenient conclusions, confident in our continued quest to answer the world we inherited with something better, and yet…Who’s really living better? Who looks around and says this is unequivocally a better world? Who says we aren’t fighting valiantly just as hard as we did sixty years ago for revolution that never came, that we rejected and yet adopted as a permanent lifestyle ever since? Who says the revolution isn’t streamed across a multitude of channels in endless reams of programming each with their intricate indictments of the world they so desperately mirror?

Who is even looking for truth anymore? Guinness suggests we do everything to avoid such a cruel fate. And he’s probably right.

[Bert van der Vaart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very succinct analysis of the impossibility of maintaining any belief system not based on truth; in particular, post-modernism's apparent dominance in Western intellectual thought leads to a chaos of different relativities and the use of lies (fake news) as a means to an end. Guinness marches the reader through the analysis while skimming over a great many other philosophers/writes, from Solzhenitsyn to Chesterton, and Budziszewski to D.H Lawrence. One interesting line of thought was the distinction between "good" or authentic faith (which has to be a product of truth) and "bad" or inauthentic faith, which includes hard left wing thought, where various academics or "intellectuals" are cited as saying how difficult it was to leave their "club" once are confronted by the inconsistencies of their relativistic principles. Guinness provides for some clear examples showing the bankruptcy of debate without common acceptance of "truth", including the problem of "evil" for relativists/post-modernists. Guinness does an admirable job covering the waterfront, but the book is more of a very good overview than as complete an analysis of the issues covered as would ultimately be, at least in my view, needed. Still, a great good overview!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 2000, Guinness saw it coming and then some. This small volume is philosophically prophetic of the times we were already in then and are fully mired in now. He exposes the "relativizers" for their illogical despair, their rash emptying of meaning. The emergence of postmodern cynicism was an outgrowth of Enlightenment, then the arrogance of European Modernism which is now deflated "when truth dies and power becomes the operative principle of speech, the result is conformity, the "tyranny of consensus", leaving us all vulnerable to manipulation. But "Human beings are truth seekers by nature, and truth persuades by the force of its own reality." His next chapter gives helpful insight for "turning the tables" with clarity and grace (not dense defensiveness) searching for the inherent "contradictions that matter". Guinness backs up his assertions with literature, philosophy, history and biblical conviction. This little book is a keeper.

[Douglas W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought and read this book in 2001, and then re-read it in 2018. Anyone who wants a quick-reading primer on the insanity of our current day, along with its presuppositional roots, should read this.

The world, untethered from God through sheer defiance, is sinking rapidly into a hell of man's own making; a hell paved stone by stone with first a distrust, and then a hatred for, the truth. As Guinness points out, the only antidote is the truth of Jesus Christ. A truth which sanctifies (John 17:17) and which leads to a peaceful rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Guinness quotes Augustine near the end of the book, "[Oh, Lord,] You have made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You."

[Bethany Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The task of living the truth requires that we stake it on our very existence” (120).
This sentence was only one of many that hit me—hard. Being a college student, I have firsthand experience with the postmodern perspective. Guinness does an incredible job at pointing out the logical conclusion of any distortion of the Truth. His words are so masterfully put together. I can only echo his conclusion, “The dawn of the third millennium finds the Western world in a quandary over one of it most vital foundations—truth...In a world of lies, hype, and spin, there is an urgent need for people of truth...The choice is ours” (125).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great and even though it was written 10+/- years ago it's one for our time. I appreciate the Christian perspective but I think that for those who don't, it would still be a good read with something useful that everyone can take away from it.

[Paul Pompa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Os explores the cultural move away from truth, the biblical explanation and solution for it, the repercussions of it. If you appreciate the degree to which we’ve deviated from truth, you’ll appreciate this short but great read.

[Mano Chil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seek the truth and do not twist it and mold it to our desires; instead work out our desires to it.

[Marcus Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly a powerful book on the subject of truth. If you find yourself valuing truth in a world of lies then this book is for you.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Os Guiness - time for Truth (notes)

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in his Nobel speech said, 'one word of truth outweighs the whole world.' P.10

Vaclav Havel in his essay 'The Power of the Powerless' (1978) wrote: 'The crust of this present life is made of strange stuff. As long as it seals off hermetically the entire society, it appears to be made of stone. But the moment someone breaks through in one place, the the person cries out, 'The emperor is naked!' - when a single person breaks the rules of the game, thus exposing it as a game- everything suddenly appears in another light and the whole crust seems to be made of tissue and disintegrating uncontrollably.' P.11

A simple way to illustrate lies in the story of the three baseball umpires debating their different philosophies of umpiring. 'There's balls and there's strikes, says the first, 'and I call them the way they are.'

'No,' exclaims the second umpire.'That's arrogant.' There's balls and there's strikes and I call it the way I see it.

' that's no better says the third. 'Why beat around the bush. Why not be more realistic about what we do? There's balls and there's strikes and they ain't nothing until I call them.' P.12.

"You shall not bear false witness."

Postmodernism is more dangerous than modernism simply because it is current. P.15

"Truth cannot be achieved without a truthful life.' Albert Camus p.18

"We have been thrown back into a moral stone age' Christina Sommers p.27

Postmodern application to life.
Don't judge me
Don't judge other cultures/beliefs eg Aboriginal, homosexual
YOLO you only live once
Everything is permissible as long as I don't hurt anybody.
Personally deplore things without morally condemning actions
Morality/truth is socially constructed
Politically correct speech
Everybody else is doing it
Compartmentalisation. Good president but womaniser. Divorced from Character.
People pleasing. Being different people to different audiences. 'He is whom he speaks to last.'
Hollow men with nothing but appetite
Evasive language. I smoked marijuana but didn't inhale. I wasn't ever alone in the whitehouse with Miss Lewinsky. Define 'alone'
I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. Define Sex.
Questioning the problem people have with sin. What's the problem with it?
Calling legitimate supervision and reprimand 'bullying'
Minimising the disgrace of personal sin by joking about it.
Moving on and making light of it become substitutes for repentance and moral resolution.


"When truth dies and power becomes the operative principle of speech, the result is conformity, the tyranny of consensus. P. 53

"When two men agree on everything, one of them is doing all the thinking. By Speaker Sam Rayburn. P. 53

The impossibility of complete knowledge through modernism has given birth to post-modernism.

'If God is dead...nothing would be immoral any longer, everything would be permitted." Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov.

Nietzsche taught 'perspectivism'. "There are many kinds of eyes and therefore many kinds of truths, and consequently there is no truth.' P.30.

'The secret of success is sincerity. If you can fake it you've got it made.' Mark Twain

These are my principles. If you don't like them....well I've got others. Groucho Marx. P.41

Truth is constructed. Think Facebook profiles, image makeovers, advertising, political spin, etc. we are becoming 'nothing people', devoid of substance...an 'empty suit' with crafted personalities but no character. P.46

Character implies substance.

Character may be it's own reward but personality is what wins friends, gets jobs, attracts lovers, catches the cameras eye and lands the prize of public office.

Freedom requires virtue. Virtue is an attribute of character. For freedom to be truly free virtue is required. Truthfulness is an virtuous attribute. The truth sets us free.

Heraclitus told his fellow Greeks that they must fight for the laws and customs as determinedly as for their city walls.

Without truth we are vulnerable to manipulation/power

Thinking of 'freedom from' only is adolescent. There must be 'freedom to' responsibility, virtue, duties

The more corrupt the state, the more laws. Tacitus

'Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.' Benjamin Franklin.

'Freedom is not the power of doing what we like but the right of being able to do what we ought.' Lord Acton

'You may if you like free a tiger from his bars, but you do not free him from his stripes. Do not free a camel from the burden of his hump; you may be freeing him from being a camel.' G K Chesterton. In other words freedom must not dehumanise us. It is not true freedom.

'There is no freedom without truth.' John Paul II

Demosthenes, 'nothing is easier than self-deceit.

Aldous Huxley 'took it for granted,' that the world had no meaning.'I had motives,' he wrote, 'for not wanting the world to have meaning; consequently assumed that it had none, and was able without difficulty to find satisfying reasons for the assumption.' Ends and Means.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and powerful book. Guinness critiques the current trend towards postmodernism and offers prescriptive solutions about how to resolve this trend. It is a very important book from a brilliant author, reminding us all that there is truth and that truth is the ultimate source of moral authority. Without truth everything heinous and just are morally equivalent. There is not authority in respects to right or wrong, only the "will to power" and the implementation of that strength.

Guinness does not simply write about the philosophy and offer a modernistic solution, instead he offers a shift in our worldview. We must be relevant in our arguments against postmodernism and battle on their philosophical grounds. He cites great Christian thinkers throughout the ages, showing that our philosophy must be rooted in the Truth of the Gospel. Nothing else will ever do. I would recommend this brief, bold book to anyone who wants to be effective in this world.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed the no-nonsense format. made for a fast, yet poignant read. agreed that there is no freedom without truth. first exposure to this author's written work, though I've heard him on the radio and online. ready for more :)

would really have appreciated more of an expose on modernism vs. postmodernism and Christianity vs. Marxism as experienced in one of my favorite works: The Consequences of Ideas. still, this was quite enjoyable and well-written.

Some quotes from the conclusion:

Because love of truth is love of God, willful error is unfaithfulness and apostasy is adultery. --Os Guinness

You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. --St. Augustine

[Josiah DeGraaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick but solid read exploring our postmodern's culture aversion to truth, showing how widespread it is throughout popular culture, and how only by returning to the truth can we really live lives of true freedom. While this is largely a cultural critique, Guinness spends some time looking at how this should change the way we live our personal lives as well, and I really liked his point that the best way to respond to a culture living without any regard to the truth is to both speak the truth and then pursue the path of confession & repentance when we fail to do so. It's a bit of a cursory book, so Guinness doesn't develop all of his points like he could, but when he nails it, he nails it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Good).

[Adam Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

at times a little over my head. the author does a good job of trying to break things down for the lay reader but ultimately, i was confused. i really dig truth and what the book was about. but i left feeling frustrated that i still feel like i don't know what truth is any better than before. i only am more sure that it exists. for such a short read, and since i have yet to read any of the authors other books, i can't fault the author really. i think i'm going to have to do some more reading.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good study of postmodernity of the current culture, how it has worked its way into politics and the marketplace, and what the implications are that come with it. His illustrations are always carefully chosen and his thoughts well articulated. A good, brief read to get into the discussion, and realize where we're headed as a country unless we turn the minds of the people.

[Tom Brainerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and readable book in which Guinness is trying to do enough but not too much. Ideas have consequences, and he is trying to show what those consequences are in terms of the decades-long assault on truth. He also works to provide a prescriptive for turning back the tide.

This is not a book for philosophers and deep thinkers, but one purposed to try to create them.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated Guinness's book because its a great reminder that believing the truth requires living in truth. The apostle John's greatest joy was that his children walked in truth, and this book is a call to orient life around truth.

[Patrick S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this for a fourth time (2019). Every re-read worthwhile. Gave one as a Christmas gift because it’s a great jumping off place for many of the big questions of our day and of life. Just look at all the shelves I have it on.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had hoped for more from this book. I already know that Truth exists. I also know that diffferent people see Truth differently. Also I know that just because you believe something, that doesn't make it true. A few good points were made, but only a few.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a a great little book. It is not overtly Christian, in the sense that it seeks common Judeo-Christian answers to the problem of postmodernism. But it is very well written and persuasive in a Chesterton-Lewis way.

Loved it.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some sections that are a little dated, but he has some really thought provoking things to say. It's a pretty good read.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book on the importance of truth, along with a critique of postmodernism.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet.