¹⁹So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Seeing is believing” is an often-repeated proverb. Disputes are often put to rest with the presentation of irrefutable facts, in particular visual evidence. Another mantra we so easily fall back on is, “I know what I saw.” When we come to historical events, things that occurred in the past, both of these sayings are only secondarily helpful. By that I mean, none of us today can check these things out directly, but we must rely on the word of others who claim firsthand testimony of what they saw and heard. Even if we had video recordings of the miracles of the first century, though, we would have to rely on the videographer’s selection of events to record, the angle of view he chose, and the editing he did (which is somewhat true for eyewitness testimony as well). Even eyewitnesses can “mis-remember,” or slant the facts subjectively.

So can we gain certitude about the truth Peter is teaching? Historical certainty comes when we conclude there is no rational grounds for believing any alternative explanation. Peter is claiming this for his testimony of hearing God’s proclamation about Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. But how can we, two thousand years later, be certain? Peter gives us a “more sure” evidence to hold on to, besides his recorded testimony. That evidence is “the prophetic word.” This statement could mean either that Peter’s experience is the “more sure” evidence, or that his experience ratified and endorsed the prophetic words with apostolic experience. Either way, Peter does not present his experience as standalone evidence for his readers, but as a complement to OT prophecies about Christ.

Some argue that religious certainty is different from natural logic, or that all history is inherently unverifiable (beyond all doubt). But the events central to the Christian faith took place in the real, tangible space of the first century, and can be verified through the accepted conventions of historical research. Beyond that, the prior foundation supporting Christianity is the fulfilled prophecies about Christ. And that should garner our attention. Peter’s and the other apostles’ testimonies are pointers to what God has said all along. They are like flashing neon signs pointing us to the knowledge of God. The ultimate evidence comes when an individual, you or I, experiences the light of God’s truth dawning inwardly. That is our primary experience of God’s truth, and that brings certitude.

Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to the light of Your truth.