TRUTH GROUND RULES FOR THE DEBATE GROUND RULES

TRUTH: GROUND RULES FOR THE DEBATE

GROUND RULES … “Christians believe that they have the absolute truth that everyone else has to believe – or else. That attitude endangers everyone’s freedom. ” - Young Brooklyn artist

GROUND RULES … “Christianity is the leveler of the human race, the breaker of man’s will to dare and to do … an iron net, a straight-jacket which does not let him expand or grow. ” - Social Activist Emma Goldman

THE LOVE OF TARGET • Competing Absolutes – Postmodern Argument: “Personal experience & intuition determine truth and conduct for each person. ”

THE LOVE OF TARGET • Competing Absolutes – Postmodern Argument: – Pluralism Argument: “Religious belief is too culturally & historically conditioned to be truth. ”

THE LOVE OF TARGET • Competing Absolutes – Postmodern Argument: – Pluralism Argument: – Power Argument: “History is written by the winners who write the history books – books which glorify their own cause. ”

THE LOVE OF TARGET • Competing Absolutes • Christianity’s Adaptability

THE LOVE OF TARGET • Competing Absolutes • Christianity’s Adaptability “Cultural diversity was built into the Christian faith … in Acts 15, which declared that the new Gentile Christians didn’t have to enter Jewish culture … The converts had to work out a Hellenistic way of being a Christian. ” - Historian Andrew Walls

THE LOVE OF TARGET • Competing Absolutes • Christianity’s Adaptability • Christianity's Absolutes – Common Head – Common Hope

90% IS IN DELIVERY • Command for Gentleness • Command for Reverence “What community has beliefs that lead its members to treat persons with love and respect – to serve them and meet their needs? ”

90% IS IN DELIVERY • Command for Gentleness • Command for Reverence “What community’s beliefs lead it to demonize and attack those who violate their boundaries rather than treating them with kindness and humility? ”

TRUTH: GROUND RULES FOR THE DEBATE