Absolute TRUTH Exists; thus Life is Meaningful with Ultimate Purpose

 

The original motto of our nation’s oldest Harvard University adopted in 1692 was "Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae" which translated from Latin means "Truth for Christ and the Church."

Image result for veritas christo et ecclesiae harvardshieldImage result for veritas christo et ecclesiae harvard https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/USA-Harvard_University.jpg/160px-USA-Harvard_University.jpg

 

Although the vision of her primary purpose of existence was lost in the last three centuries, I would like to use Harvard University's "Rules and Precepts," adopted in 1646, stated (original spelling and Scriptural references retained) to echo my conviction as a student of Scripture and a professor:

"Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3).

Every one shall so exercise himselfe in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein, both in Theoreticall observations of Language and Logick, and in practical and spiritual truths, as his Tutor shall require, according to his ability; seeing the entrance of the word giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130)."

The motto of the University was embedded on a shield as shown above, and can be found on many buildings around Harvard campus. Interestingly, the top two books on the shield are face up while the bottom book is face down. This symbolizes the limits of reason, and the need for God's revelation.  (from http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~gsascf/shield.html)

 

 

 


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e6/Harvard_College_Seal.png/220px-Harvard_College_Seal.pngThe official seal of the Harvard Corporation. Found on Harvard diplomas, it carries the university's original motto, Christo et Ecclesiae ("For Christ and Church"), later changed to Veritas ("Truth").Harvard shield wreath.svg

 

 

 

 

 

Engraved in stone on the outside of Emerson Hall of Harvard, this line, “WHAT IS MAN THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM.”, a portion of Psalm 8:4, calls us to humility before the wonders of the Creator God. It reminds us of our smallness and weakness when compared with the greatness and power of the Lord.

From http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/harvardironies.htm

http://wp.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/files/2011/04/emerson-harvard-5-300x225.jpg

 

http://wp.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/files/2011/04/emerson-harvard-detail-5.jpg

 

 

 

 

"the truth shall set you free"  John 18:38

Veritas vos liberabit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Veritas vos liberabit (Latin) is a variant of Veritas liberabit vos ("the truth shall set you free"; Greek: ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς hē alētheia eleutherōsei hymas), verse 8:32 of the Gospel of John, a statement which Jesus addresses to a group of Jews who believed in Him. Pilate has the philosopher's response in verse John 18:38: "Quid est veritas?" ("What is truth?", Τί ἐστιν ἀλήθεια, Ti estin alētheia?).

Veritas vos liberabit is the motto of numerous institutions:

The English variant "And You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Make You Free" is carved in stone in the Original Headquarters Building (OHB) of the Central Intelligence Agency.