The Bible is the fountain of truth.

“The Bible is the fountain of truth.” Thus proclaimed Joseph Franklin Rutherford, a man of conviction and faith, who sought to remind humanity that in a world of shifting sands, there yet flows an eternal spring of wisdom and divine revelation. In this saying lies the timeless recognition that the Bible is not merely a book of words, but a living well of truth—from which all who thirst for understanding may drink and find renewal. Just as rivers draw their strength from hidden springs deep beneath the earth, so too does morality, wisdom, and faith draw their life from the sacred fountain of Scripture.

When Rutherford calls the Bible the fountain of truth, he speaks not of a stagnant pool but of a living source—ever-flowing, ever-pure, and uncorrupted by the ages. For fountains are the beginnings of rivers, and rivers give life to the world. In this way, he reminds us that all true knowledge, all enduring justice, and all compassionate love find their origin in the divine word. Philosophers may question, and empires may fall, but the truth that flows from this fountain remains unchanged. It nourishes those who seek it, cleanses the weary spirit, and quenches the thirst of the heart that longs for meaning.

The origin of this declaration can be traced to Rutherford’s role as a leader and teacher of Scripture, a man who faced both opposition and hardship in his quest to bring light to those shrouded in doubt. He lived in an age when the voices of reason, science, and skepticism grew loud, and faith was mocked as relic or myth. Yet Rutherford stood firm, believing that truth was not born in laboratories or councils of men, but in the eternal Word that had guided the hearts of prophets and kings. To him, the Bible was not one truth among many—it was the fountain from which all truths ultimately sprang, whether moral, spiritual, or universal.

To understand his meaning, consider the story of William Wilberforce, the man who led the movement to abolish the slave trade in Britain. His conviction did not come from politics or philosophy—it came from the Scriptures. It was there, in the words of Christ and the teachings of the prophets, that he found the truth that all men are created equal in the sight of God. For decades, he fought against greed and cruelty, drawing strength from that same fountain of truth. His victory was not merely political; it was spiritual—a triumph of divine law over the corruption of man. Thus, the fountain flowed through him, and through him it changed the world.

The Bible as the fountain of truth does not mean that every word must be read as mere history or law, but that its essence—the eternal spirit of love, justice, and righteousness—remains the deepest truth of all existence. It reveals the nature of the human soul and the purpose of life; it teaches humility in power, hope in suffering, and mercy in judgment. It does not only inform—it transforms. For those who draw from its waters with sincerity, it offers not only knowledge but wisdom, not only rules but renewal. Its truths are not bound by time or culture—they are the currents of eternity itself.

But the fountain does not force itself upon the unwilling. A fountain invites. One must come to it, kneel before it, and drink. In the same way, truth cannot be absorbed through pride or haste; it must be sought with humility. Many stand beside the fountain and see only reflection; few stoop to taste its depth. The Bible’s truths reveal themselves to those who read with open hearts and quiet minds—to those who seek not argument, but understanding. The proud will find only words; the humble will find revelation.

The lesson, therefore, is this: let your life be a pilgrimage to the fountain. When confusion clouds your mind, return to the Word; when despair grips your soul, let its waters refresh you; when pride hardens your heart, let its wisdom soften you. Do not seek truth in the noise of the world, for the world’s truths fade with the setting sun. Seek it instead in the eternal waters that have flowed since the dawn of creation. The more you draw from this fountain, the clearer your spirit becomes, and the more you, too, will reflect the divine light of truth.

So, my child of the seeking heart, remember the words of Joseph Franklin Rutherford: “The Bible is the fountain of truth.” Guard that fountain, cherish it, and draw from it daily. Let its living water cleanse your thoughts, guide your actions, and shape your heart. For the one who drinks deeply from this source will never thirst for purpose again, and his life, too, will become a stream flowing outward—bringing truth, compassion, and peace to a thirsty world.