Aletheia: Mastering the Art of Unforgetting
(Alētheia)
One day, during my bible study, I stumbled on the word ‘aletheia’. It was the Greek word for truth, and in an attempt to understand the Bible passage I was studying, I decided to look up what aletheia meant. After some study, I learned that the word ‘aletheia’ is composed of two words, ‘a’ and ‘lethe’, and it literally means unforgetting. Apparently, the word aletheia derived its origin from Greek mythology. According to the stories, spirits will drink from the river of ‘Lethe’ (meaning ‘forget’) after death in order to forget about their previous lives before they entered the underworld. Therefore, the word aletheia (or truth) conveys the concept of ‘not forgetting’ or ‘constantly remembering’.
Generally, humans have a tendency to forget. We occasionally lose track of instructions we’ve received, stories we’ve told others, or concepts we’ve thought about in the past. Our forgetfulness can range from information we’ve learned decades ago to instructions we just received a few moments ago. In fact, I came across an article that claimed that forgetting is a typical brain function. The article, which was written by Harvard staff writer Juan Siliezar, stated that the brain will “forget” some parts of information to make room for new information. Sometimes, though, these details are still present in our memory but are in a “recessive state,” making it a little more difficult to recall them.
Because of our occasional or ‘tranisent’ forgetfulness, we have developed techniques for recalling crucial information. For instance, some workplaces post signs on the walls to remind their employees about the regulations. The government mounts traffic signs and stops on the street, constantly reminding the population of the rules of traffic. Even highly skilled individuals might occasionally need a little refresher of what they learned in school.
Despite the commonality of our forgetfulness, the word of God is one thing we cannot afford to forget. Forgetting the word of God is the quickest way to stray from the Lord. However, it seems like we are constantly in danger of forgetting the word of God. Sometimes, even the experiences of life can put us in danger of forgetting God’s promises. The day-to-day demands of life can make us forget the word of God. The death of a loved one, a chronic illness, hardships, or even persecution can cause us to forget what God has said to us. In fact, even good times can cause us to forget our God (Deuteronomy 6:11-12).
In view of this, God instructed the Israelites to ‘unforget’ His commands by constantly reminding themselves of them. He commanded them to do it every day: in the morning, in the evening, at home, or while traveling. He commanded them to tie it on their hands, wear it on their foreheads, and write it on their doorposts as a reminder (Deuteronomy 8). The instruction was given to ensure the word of God was so ingrained in their mind that it started to influence their behavior (Joshua 1:8).
Even though this command was given more than two thousand years ago, it is still relevant to us today. As Christians, it is very paramount for us to adopt the idea of “constantly/intentionally remembering” or “unforgetting.” Humans are more impressionable than we often realize, and our thoughts and actions are shaped by our surroundings. Therefore, we must constantly surround ourselves with God’s word. Every day, we must purposefully remind ourselves of the things the Bible says. This calls for regular prayer, study, and recitation of God’s Word.
Scripture memorization cannot be sped up.
There is no shortcut for studying the bible.
Both time and effort are required.
We must learn how to invest the necessary time and energy if we truly want to be effective Christians. Any skill requires time and effort to master. In fact, science can be used to explain this phenomenon. Dr. Susan Reick, clinical director for Maximus, a healthcare organization that works with Medicare and Medicaid, stated that repetition can rewire the brain. When an activity is performed, the brain develops a pathway, and these pathways are responsible for our memories. According to Dr. Reick, longer pathways are responsible for occasional forgetfulness. However, repetition can shorten these pathways, and the shorter the pathway, the easier it is to recall information or the more automatically a behavior occurs. This is why a pianist who has played for years can play the piano with ease, whereas a beginner might require more practice and assistance to play the same song.
If nature itself necessitates repetition for mastery, we must meditate on the Word of God in the morning, afternoon, and evening. If our aim is to align ourselves with God’s teachings, we must consistently immerse ourselves in His word.
Thus, this is a challenge to master the art of ‘unforgetting’. Achieving this demands a conscious and purposeful commitment from us. We ought to continually envelop ourselves in the Word of God until it becomes our reality. Practically, this translates to reading and rereading the Word of God, committing Scripture to memory, and continuously pondering its meaning.
The importance of this reveals itself when life throws unforeseen challenges our way. In the face of life’s curveballs, our response should be to wield the Word of God like a sword. Even before these situations arise, we should proactively learn what God’s word says about various subjects. Thus, when these moments arrive, we stand ready and equipped with the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—in our hands.
Remember, a soldier does not train on the battlefield. He prepares beforehand, so when it is time to fight, he is ready.
Citation
Juan, S. (2023, November 9). Harvard scientists show forgetting does not reverse the learning process. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/04/harvard-scientists-show-forgetting-does-not-reverse-the-learning-process/
Rieck, Dr. S. (2021, August 25). The brain and our habits: Natural Pathways to Wellness. Maximus. https://maximus.com/the-brain-our-habits
