“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.“

When ”truth” is the only axis in your understanding of Christianity, a verse like this makes no sense. Knowledge *just is* Christian virtue for many. A verse like this can sound positively “liberal” for many of us acculturated in contexts like that.

Related, “speak the truth in love” is taken to mean “speak the truth, which just is love.” Abstract doctrinal content is paramount. Actual imitation of Christ is an afterthought, the “application,” not the truth of the matter.

Here’s the standard: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth....For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.“