Good blogging is both an art and a science. It requires the feeling and expression of an artist and the mentality and analysis of a scientist. As artists, we’re painting verbal pictures that hopefully attract our readers into an appreciation for our field of learning. As scientists, we’re continually researching and experimenting to find more effective ways to get our message across to our target audience, those who will respond to what we have to say.

In the following paragraphs, I’ll warm up with a few of my thoughts based on my limited learning in the science of blogging. Then, I’ll take you into the art of my blog to give you an appreciation for “Holding to Truth in Love,” and what’s behind the new name. Hopefully I’ll paint a picture that will make you want to be a part of it.

The Science of Blogging and Three Practical Reasons Why I Changed My Blog Name

 First, the original name was a bit long for people to absorb. Specifically, one fellow blogger commented on its exceptional length. The comment got me thinking that maybe I should choose a more concise name.

Second, I wanted a new blog name to match a personal domain name—a URL that would be easier for people to remember than my old one, “thomasmarvin.wordpress.com.” That URL just didn’t give people much to hang onto. One day I observed the resignation of a colleague when I casually mentioned my old URL. It seemed too complicated for him to remember.

I expect that my new domain name—“holdingtotruth.com”—will be easier to remember and quicker to enter. At the same time, it says something meaningful about the purpose of my blog (which I’ll say more about in the next section of this post).

My new blog name—“Holding to Truth in Love” —a partial quotation from Ephesians 4:15 in the Bible, matches this domain name but with a significant addition (that I’ll also mention later in this post).

Third, I think my blog name should touch the essence of what I’m attempting to achieve. It should encourage a daily life that is actively engaged in the pursuit of the divine truth in God’s word—first in me and then in others who are attracted to my blog.

The Art of Blogging and What’s in the name—“Holding to Truth in Love”

 “But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ.” (Eph. 4:15)

“Holding to Truth” or “Truthing It”

 In Ephesians 4:15, Paul speaks of “holding to truth.” It’s the Greek word for “truth” in a verbal form—a present, active, participle. A very literal translation of the word might be “truthing it.” It’s an expression that denotes the quality of the divine truth put into action.

I chose this name because I want my blog to result in a contact with the Scriptures that is engaging and touches the spiritual essence and reality in God’s word. “Holding to truth” is something active. It’s an active handling of, a present participating in, and a personal applying of the divine reality in God’s word to our daily lives.

It’s one thing to say, “I’m a runner.” It’s another thing to say “I’m running.” With the former, I might tell you old stories about my  days on the high school cross country team. With the latter, well…you better start running…otherwise, it will be hard for us to talk.

The Meaning of “Truth”

The root word for “truth” (Greek, aletheia), refers to all the real things revealed in God’s word (John 17:17; Eph. 1:13), which are mainly Christ and the church, Christ’s Body. Christ is the truth, the reality of all the things of God (John 14:6). And the church is the supporting pillar and holding base of all these realities, holding up and declaring the divine truth to the world (1 Tim. 3:15).

It is God’s desire that all men would not only be saved but would also come to a full, experiential knowledge of such a divine truth. 1 Timothy 2:3b-4 says,

“…our Savior God Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.”

For anything to go from mere head knowledge to an experiential knowledge, requires active involvement in that thing.

Holding to Truth “In Love”

It is not in our own love, but in God’s divine love (Greek, agape) that we can hold to such truth—Christ and the church. It’s only in the sphere and element of God’s love in us that we can lay hold of the reality in God’s word. It’s in our loving God with His “agape” love that God reveals the deep and hidden things that He has prepared for us. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:9,

“But as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not come up in man’s heart; things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

I’d like to be reminded every time I come to the Bible, that I’m not coming to gain mere knowledge or to fulfill some religious duty, but to contact, love and enjoy the most wonderful One that is hiding behind every page of this precious Book. For example, I might pray a short prayer like, “Lord, I love You and I’m here to find you and freshly enjoy You in Your word today.”

“We may grow up into Him in all things”

It’s by holding to truth in love that we grow up into Christ in all things. Then as we grow up into Christ, the Head, out from Him flows the life supply that issues in the growth of His Body, the church. In this way, God’s purpose is fulfilled.

My Commitment

 My new blog name is not a change in direction, but a reaffirming of my commitment to the central line of the Bible, a commitment focused on active application of the divine truths to Christian living and church practice.

Through my blog, I hope to foster more fellowship concerning the revelation, experience, and enjoyment of many of the divine truths revealed in God’s word with a focus on Christ and His Body, the church. I invite you to join me in  “holding to truth in love.”

“This mystery is great, but I speak with regard to Christ and the church.” (Eph. 5:32)