TRUTH 1 You can find the Truth The

TRUTH 1

You can find the Truth! • The Bible is the ‘Word of God’. • (1 Jo 2: 14) I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. • • (Rev 1: 2) who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. • • (Rev 1: 9) I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 2

• (Heb 13: 7) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. • (Heb 4: 12) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any twoedged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge thoughts and intentions of the heart. 3

• (Rev 6: 9) When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; • Mat 4: 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. '" 4

• Every Word is essential! 5

You can know the Truth… • 2 Pe 3: 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, • 2 Pe 3: 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, • 2 Pe 3: 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. • 2 Pe 3: 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, • 2 Pe 3: 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 6

Truth: Jesus Christ – The Word of God Then Jesus said to those Jewish people who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ” John 8: 31 -32 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to. Romans 6: 17 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 7

The Science and the Sacridity of Interpretation We must remember that: “Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ” 1 Corinthians 3: 15 -17 8

• That removal of the veil is also called illumination – the Holy Spirit bringing the Scripture to light. • Scripture is more important than our interpretation of it or Church tradition: Jesus asked, “Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ” Matthew 15: 3 9

• 2 Pe 1: 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation • This is saying there is only one interpretation of Scripture and it is what God intended when He had the scribe write it. 10

I Corinthians 2: 12 -14 • NIV: (12) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. (13) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (14) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 11

• So let’s look at the steps we must take to rightly divide the word of truth. • The 10 steps of Hermeneutics 12

I love this… • Pro 25: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 13

The Divine Watchmaker • Is this a valid argument for God? • What other arguments do we have to establish God’s existence? • Before we can talk about the Word of God, we need to look at the existence of God. 14

• 1. THE "COSMOLOGICAL" ARGUMENT. . . is also called "the argument from first cause. �It is based upon the premise that "every effect must have a cause". The cosmos (universe) is an effect that has adequate cause. The theist believes that Gen 1: 1 reveals that adequate cause: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. " • 15

• 2. THE "TELEOLOGICAL" ARGUMENT. . . is based upon the evidence of design in the universe. Evidence of design suggests a "designer", some Being with intelligence possessing purpose. Example: a watch shows design, and implies a watchmaker, To credit such intricate workmanship to blind chance is unreasonable. Examples of design in the universe are many; some examples include: The orderly movement of heavenly bodies, making space travel possible; Animal instinct, such as the migration patterns of birds, eels, and salmon; The human body itself, e. g. , the eye 16

• 3. THE "MORAL" ARGUMENT. . . is also called the "anthropological argument". It is based upon reality that everywhere people have "a sense of ought"--That in certain circumstances, certain things should be done. People are concerned that people should act a certain way and that people do not often act the way they should. Even atheists and agnostics have "a sense of justice", and are angered when it is violated (as in the case of rape and murder). This moral nature in man demands a Moral Being as the Original Cause 17

• 4. THE "ESTHETICAL" ARGUMENT. . . is based upon the presence of beauty and sublimity in the universe. It observes that you have both the presence of beauty in nature itself, and in art produced by man and the response of man to such beauty. How did this "beauty", and the "ability to appreciate" it, develop? Were both the result of blind chance or did it come from a Supreme Being, who is not only: Intelligent (an argument from design), Moral (an argument from our sense of ought), but also Artistic (an argument from beauty and our sense of it)? cf. Ps 96: 4 -6 18

Writing from Ancient Times … • proto-writing, i. e. pictographic communication from 4 -6, 000 B. C. • Sumerian Tablets with writing from 3300 B. C. • Egyptian Hieroglyphics 3100 B. C. • 1 st known alphabet Palestine 16 th 17 th century B. C (Semitic). • Hammurabi c. 1792 B. C. • Cretan Linear B c. 1450 B. C. • Greek Alphabet c. 730 B. C. • c. 2 nd century B. C. paper invented in China 19

The Emergence of Books Rosetta Stone From the Caves of 4000 B. C. to the Gutenberg Bible printed c. 1454 -55 A. D. handwritten codex scrolls of papyrus and the books of the Torah Gutenberg Bible 20

Arguments against the Bible • The Bible was written sooo long ago in ancient languages, how could it still be valid today? • It has been copied sooo many times, the original message was lost! • It’s all a matter of interpretation. • Even if the Bible has been preserved, it is so ambiguous that to develop any Truth from the text is impossible. That’s why we have so many denominations and belief systems within Christianity. 21

All it takes is Faith! You can’t believe in God or the preservation of His Word without faith! So what is ‘faith’? You can live a little over 40 days without food, 4 days without water, 4 minutes without oxygen – but without faith you will surely die…Spiritually speaking 22

Do we REALLY need faith? The world in which we live often presents itself as cold and heartless – which in turn leads to a world of discouraged, depressed, and despairing people. So YES we need faith! Yet true faith is in short supply! So, some make faith equal with hope…they simply are not the same! 23

Some ‘hoped’ that Jesus was the Messiah… Luke 24: 13 -21 - "Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. 24

Luke 24: 13 -21 - "He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along? " They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days? " 25

Luke 24: 13 -21 – "What things? " he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth, " they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 26

Hope is not Faith! Luke 24: 13 -21 – but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. " They ‘hoped’ but they did not have ‘faith’! 27

So what is faith? • Heb 11: 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. • Webster Greek def: “The sense of the verb, from which that of rope and binding is derived, is to strain, to draw, and thus to bind or make fast. A rope or cable is that which makes fast. ” • The Hebrew and the Greek suggest a trust or belief in a known truth, validated by evidence that would lead to a conviction. • It is not a ‘blind leap’! 28

Belief + Proof=Faith • Heb 11: 1 Now faith (the solid rope that holds something together – the belief in a known truth) is the assurance(concrete foundation) of things hoped for, the conviction(evidence, proof) of things not seen. • Faith in Jesus Christ is valid and reasonable! We derive our evidence from the Bible and personal experience! • If the Bible is not true, we have no basis for faith! 29

Many Pastor’s have preached that you should be a Christian by blind faith. Even if the Bible is not reliable and even if Jesus didn’t raise from the dead. The Apostle Paul doesn’t agree… 30

Everything rests on the validity of the Bible and the Resurrection! 1 Corinthians 15: 13 -20 a - "IF there is no resurrection of the dead, THEN not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ” 31

1 Corinthians 15: 13 -20 a – “More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ” 32

1 Corinthians 15: 13 -20 a – “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. ” 33

1 Corinthians 15: 13 -20 a – “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” Heb 4: 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge thoughts and intentions of the heart. Isa 40: 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. 34

The Bible’s version of Christianity is not about a religion – but a relationship! relationship John 1: 12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. " 35

Knowing Jesus is everything! • On judgment day, it won’t matter how ‘good’ you were. • The only thing that will matter is did you make Jesus Lord and Savior of your life! • If you’ve done that – you know Him, and He knows you! 36

Jesus said… • Mat 7: 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, ' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? ' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. ' 37

How do you know Christ? • • By studying His Word! By praying By good Christian fellowship By loving Him His Word is absolute Truth. If it is not reliable, we have nothing to base our faith on. Truth must originate outside of the mind of finite man! It must come from God! 38

Is the Bible relevant today? • On (Sept. 23, 2004), our Governor signed into law SB 1234 • SB 1234 promotes the cross-dressing agenda throughout the Penal Code by defining "gender" as "appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth. " • It also opens up the door for us to be sued for teaching the Word on homosexuality. 39

What is the Bible? Absolute Truth • There is now an attack against the Bible that is more philosophical than textual: Pluralism 40

Pluralism denies absolute Truth! • Absolute Truth is the message of the Bible! • Truth = a right understanding of God • Pluralism says: Knowledge is no different in kind than opinion. ü Our agreeing together is the criteria for determining what is knowledge. ü Truth amounts to no more than social sustainability. 41

Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Background of Pluralism Tolerance Implications of tolerance Case against pluralism Uniqueness of Christ Eight steps to evangelize in our culture 42

1) Background of Pluralism • It attacks Biblical Theism: Belief that right & wrong are absolute, unchanging, and are decided by God – American Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” 43

Modernism • Renaissance (1300 -1600): Exalt man through literature, art, learning, etc. Humanism: human ability; man toward the center; reject “external authorities” • Enlightenment (1600 -1700): Push God out & depend on human reason to discern truth • Industrial Revolution (1700 -1800): Human productivity & advancement; no need for God push God out, put man in 44

Modernists’ foundations • Rationality: Man can understand the world • Empiricism: Knowledge only through senses • Implications for truth: – Scientific truth became absolute – “Unobservable” spiritual / moral truths became relative 45

Postmodernism pushed it further • Objective Truth does not exist – Even scientific truth is “true” only for that time & culture (Kuhn’s paradigms) – Even words don’t have original meaning (“reader above the writer”) Individuals are products of their culture • Arbitrary beliefs shaped by cultural biases – e. g. suicide bombers are heroes 46

Encouraged by choices • Today’s society offers many choices – Classes, career, cell phones, fast food, etc. • “You choose…” – Outside world is “changeable” – Outside world is doubtful • Disdain for fixed standards & absolutes leads to Pluralism 47

Pluralism • Definition of Pluralism: – Theory that there are more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality • Varieties of ultimate truths available – No one absolute truth • Exercised in the form of… …Tolerance ! 48

2) Tolerance • TRADITIONAL definition of “Tolerate”: – to recognize and respect others’ beliefs, practices, etc. without sharing them – to bear or put up with someone or something not especially liked • “Values, respects, and accepts the individual without necessarily approving of or participating in his/her belief or behavior. ” 49

NEW tolerance under pluralism • Since pluralism says there are no absolute truths… • …NEW tolerance states, “All values, beliefs, lifestyles, and truth claims are equal” 50

3) Implications of new tolerance • Not just “Live and let live”… • Now you must agree that another person’s position is just as valid as your own • Now you must give approval, endorsement, sincere support to their beliefs and behaviors • Even some demand full participation 51

By being silent we are giving our approval! • It is time to take a stand for Truth – the absolute Truth of God’s Word and the precepts it teaches! • Rom 1: 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. 52

Dangerous Fallouts • Consequences of doing away with absolute truth… • No “progress” – can’t praise bravery vs. cowardice • Loss of hierarchy of values – “more sympathy for threatened insects species than for children dying of hunger” [Finnish Green Party activist] 53

Impact on morality & justice • Can’t make moral judgments – “If there is no absolute moral standard, then one cannot say in a final sense that anything is right or wrong. ” [Francis Schaeffer] – We must approve Hitler’s actions No justice possible without truth 54

4) Case against pluralism • Pluralism demands, “Tolerance for all” – But who gave that authority to pluralism? – Is it absolutely? • Pluralism says, “Equal footing and hearing” – Then Christianity should be given a fair and equal hearing without being called “exclusive” 55

Reasons for Absolutes • Presence of universal sentiments – Love & goodness (regardless of culture) – C. S. Lewis: universal desire for something is a good reason to believe the existence of that thing • “Choices” must be measured by some apriori truth – e. g. Mathematics 2+2 always = 4 56

Emptiness of pluralism • Discourages critical thinking – Brainless in accepting everything blindly – “Tolerance is a virtue of a man without convictions” [G. K. Chesterton] • Cravings for an absolute moral Judge – When injustice comes upon you • Hunger of the heart – Epidemic of emptiness & loneliness 57

Incompatibility with religions • Many religions seem to say same things – “Be good to others” • But quite different in major doctrines – i. e. sin, nature of God, salvation • Law of Non-Contradiction: Two contradictory ideas cannot both be true 58

5) Uniqueness of Christ • Historical figure (not myth) • He claimed to be God • Gave real evidence and proof – Ultimate proof: Resurrection – Fulfilled Prophecy • Other religious leaders did not resurrect Jesus’ claims to truths are validated 59

Our Example… • Loved everyone the same – Tax collector, prostitute, leper • Distinguishes person from behavior – “Hates the sin but loves the sinner” – People have intrinsic worth & value because wonderfully made in image of God [Gen. 1 & Psalm 139] – e. g. people are to be valued, not false belief systems • Fills our need for love, justice, & truth 60

Eight Reasons Why It Matters What You Believe! Building common ground with those you are trying to reach! ( I Cor. 9: 22) 61

What You Believe Will Affect How You Live! 1. What you believe will affect how you live! 62

Beliefs Have Consequences 63

Not All Religious Viewpoints Can Be Right! 1. What you believe will affect how you live! 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right! Law of non-contradiction: “Two opposing views can not both be right” 64

Can All Religious Viewpoints Be Right? No! Someone has to be wrong! “Either Jesus is the Messiah or He isn't. ” If He is not the only way to God, then He is a liar. Taken from: http: //www. str. org 65

Objective Truth Does Exist! 1. 2. What you believe will affect how you live! Not all religious viewpoints can be right! 3. Objective Truth does exist! 66

Biblical Objective Truth The Bible teaches that truth does exists For example: John 14: 6 Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ” John 8: 32 Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. ” 67

Truth Is Not a Matter of Your Own Perspective or opinion or tradition, or even your own study: For example: “Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. ” 2 Pet. 1: 20 -21 68

A Truth Statement Matches Its Object “Satan is called a liar because his statement to Eve, “You will surely not die” in Gen. 3: 4 did not correspond to what God really said, namely “you shall surely die (Gen. 2: 17). ” Dr. Norman Geisler 69

Truth is That Which Corresponds to Reality Jesus states in John 14: 6 that he is the only way to God. This is a true statement because it corresponds to reality and was verified by His conquering death in His resurrection. 70

• A right understanding of God (Truth) leads to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Truth). Jesus=Truth=The Word of God=Understanding=Logos=Intelligence • This produces reverence for God • Wisdom begins with the fear(reverence) of God! • Proverbs 9: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 71

Why is Truth so Important? “If truth and reasonableness are not uppermost in our presentation of the truth to a pagan culture, already predisposed to regarding religion as a set of private feelings, then we will constantly hear this response. Well that’s fine if having those feelings helps you. ” Love God with all your Mind J. P. Moreland P. 30 72

Truth is not based on feelings! • Truth is based on evidence • Evidence is logical and rational • Emotions are unreliable and often times wicked • Jer 17: 9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? 73

Truth is not based on feelings! Strongs - : “A form of H 3824; • Truth is based on– heart evidence the heart; also used (figuratively) very • Evidence is logical and rational widely for the feelings” • Emotions are unreliable and often times wicked • Jer 17: 9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? 74

Faith Must Have an Object to Have Merit! 1. 2. 3. What you believe will affect how you live! Not all religious viewpoints can be right! Objective Truth does exist! 4. Faith must have an object to have merit! The object of our Faith is Jesus Christ and the Truth of God’s Word! Rom 10: 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? Rom 10: 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" 75

We must stand for truth. . • • Even if we stand alone Even when it is not politically correct Even when denominations refuse to do so The Bible is our sole source for faith and practice! 76

Jesus said… • “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me. ” • John 14: 6 • How many ways can we interpret this? Jesus Christ is the only way to God – period. • This is our interpretation – is it valid: 77

Analyze and weigh your proposition (interpretation). Follow these steps: • • • Identify all assertions made – are they supported solely by scripture? Identify all qualifications and conditions – explain any symbolism or special circumstances that lead your interpretation. Identify all stated and unstated assumptions – list them and explain how you came to conclusion for each one. Notice any connections between your interpretation, assumptions, and assertions. Decide which assertions are the main ones. Raise questions about each assertion. Are there any biases evident? Any assumptions glossed over? Anything else not stated? Any parts of issue or passage not discussed? Is the logic clear, concise, and valid? Are all consequences and ramifications of the conclusion explored? Is your interpretation valid in light of all the above 78

Is your interpretation valid? Check it: • Review your own biases and tendencies. Be honest with yourself. Be sure your final interpretation is objective and clear. • Be specific about the meaning. • State your interpretation carefully and precisely. • Include appropriate qualifications. • Distinguish certainty from probability. 79

Let’s proclaim the Truth! • How do we start a revolution? • Know the Truth, proclaim the Truth • A revolution to bring the Church back to Biblical Truth. • By studying Theology and Apologetics! This is our task. There is only one Truth. 80