Response to "Toward A Compassionate Press" by David Aikman

Romans 2:8 says "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." It is hard to believe that even amongst journalists who profess no faith, truth is but a small significance.Truth is the essence of Christianity. The Bible was written, not as a fiction story for people to contradict, but as a doctrine of truth that would be a guide to the living. David Aikman says, "Ultimately, every Christian alive has the responsibility of testifying to the world about the truth of Jesus Christ, his death on the Cross and Resurrection." That is saying more than just proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is representing a life that symbolizes Christ through writing. It is so that we can spread the "Good News" of Jesus, as well as the "regular news" of this world. Journalists have a responsibility to accurately report events that take place in history, and history belongs to God. What happens in this world is His story. Secondly, Aikman believes that truth is freedom. The Bible says, in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. This applies not only to knowing the truth of the life of Jesus, but knowing the truth in all things and justice. But if everything, like Aikman points out, is in fact someway directed toward Christ, shouldn’t there be a humbling of oneself? Even journalists who claim to be Christian are self seekers, but it is humorous because the whole life of Jesus as a mere man was a humble one. The issue of falsified truth is not only been an issue in journalism, but in many other professions as well. Lawyers, doctors, even our political system has been corrupted by lies and self gain.To promote oneself in the first place is sin, but to do it behind the comfort of words in a newspaper is devious. It is seemingly providing the public with valuable information, while really trying to gain glory according to the world’s standards. So while truth, being the essence of Christianity has to be taken into consideration, truth as a Christian Journalist has to be as well. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Whatever journalists report, God has to be the focus and the sole motivation for their purpose.