Meet Matt Armstrong

I majored in literature in college, and I frequently heard professors announce in no uncertain terms that a paper would take the entire semester to complete. I usually saw this as a sort of challenge. And it did not help that it rarely took more than a week to write a paper, and most took less than three days.

My professors had good intentions, and I probably stressed more around due dates than necessary. Nevertheless, they made absolute statements that weren't absolutely true.

Absolutes are tricky, and making an error is easy. Doctors can say truthfully, “Without air, you will die,” but they cannot always say, “Without functioning lungs you will die.” My nephew lived the first part of his life in an iron lung. This is why we have trouble with absolutes.

Salvation through Christ is absolute truth; there is no other way. This is why Jesus said, "[N]o one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father” (John 6:65). This is why John wrote, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (John 1:3-4). This is why many left and still leave today (John 6:66).

Men fight for what they believe in, and I like to read Peter’s declaration as a rally for this war in which we win when we die. I did occasionally read my assignments in college, and this is one of my favorites. It’s from “The Battle of Maldon.” This is how I read John 6:68-69.

Byrthwold spoke, grasped his buckler,

He was an old comrade, urged the men,

He full boldly cheered his soldiers,
"Thought must be the harder, heart the keener

Spirit shall be more—as our might lessens.

There lies our chief all cut down,

Good man on the ground; for ever may he grieve

Who now from this war-play thinketh to go.

I am old in years—hence I will not, 

But by the side of mine own lord,

By my chief so loved, I think to lie."