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The Substance of Faith An Evidence and Foundational Christian Curriculum

The Substance of Faith An Evidence and Foundational Christian Curriculum. Truth Part 1a. What is Truth?. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR4iBcSJ6pM From The Passion of the Christ John 18:38. Josh McDowell on defining truth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGAiMSRhEg

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The Substance of Faith An Evidence and Foundational Christian Curriculum

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  1. The Substance of FaithAn Evidence and Foundational Christian Curriculum Truth Part 1a

  2. What is Truth? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR4iBcSJ6pM • From The Passion of the Christ • John 18:38

  3. Josh McDowell on defining truth • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGAiMSRhEg • What percentage of Russian unbelievers believe truth is from oneself? • What percentage of Christian youth believes the same? • What are two ways adults and youth differ in their views of truth in America?

  4. How is truth defined? • Truth refers to that which is in accord with reality. It is the equal sign in mathematical terms. 2 + 2 = 4 is a truth because both sides of the equation are in accord. • Could there be absolute, permanent truths, such as moral laws or truths about God, that do not change based on the circumstances.

  5. How does our culture view truth? • A 2002 study by the Barna group revealed that 64% of adults believe that truth is always relative to the person and their situation. 83% of teenagers believed that truth is always relative. • Postmodernism is an intellectual movement with many facets, but one of the main themes is a rejection of permanent, absolute truth. Instead, truth is something constructed by humans and dependant on particular circumstances.

  6. Do all people believe in absolute truths at some level? • Who thinks murder or child molestation is circumstantially ok? • Some have claimed, “There is no absolute truth.” Is that claim true? • No one wants a postmodern surgeon, engineer, pilot, or banker. “My truth and your truth” simply does not work in the real world.

  7. What is the Biblical view of truth? • Truth refers to that which is in accord with reality. The Biblical worldview says that God defines reality; therefore, absolute truth is what God defines to be true. • Put simply, absolute truth is what God says is true (John 17:17; Is. 45:19).

  8. John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17 NKJV)

  9. Isaiah 45:19 I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain'; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. (Isaiah 45:19 NKJV)

  10. What is the Biblical view of truth? • Obviously, this view depends on the existence of God as pictured in the Bible, which will be addressed in a later study. Yet, no one can disprove the existence of an absolute God, since it would take absolute knowledge to do so—or even absolute truth! Therefore, all must admit that absolute truth is at least possible.

  11. What is the Biblical view of truth? • The basis of Christianity is truth. Jesus said that He is the “truth,” (John 14:6). He is called the Word of God (John 1:1,14). Jesus said that knowing the truth would set us free (John 8:32). Faith also is dependant on truth (Romans 10:17); it involves knowing truth and then choosing to esteem and trust that truth (Hebrews 11).

  12. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6 NKJV)

  13. John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 NKJV) And the Word became 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. (John 1:14 NKJV)

  14. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

  15. What is the Biblical view of truth? • If truth is the equals sign, as in mathematical terms—something that corresponds to something else--, the equal sign is another way to express the infinitive verb “to be.” God gave His name as “I AM” in Exodus 3:14? This suggests that God in His very nature is truth.

  16. Why do many people today believe that there is no absolute truth? • Information overload • Convenience, especially in moral truths • Hypocrisy among sources of “truth” (i.e. schools, politicians, media, churches, etc.) • Eastern religious ideas • Academic arguments.

  17. How can a Christian respond to each of these? • Information overload • Convenience, especially in moral truths • Hypocrisy among sources of “truth” (i.e. schools, politicians, media, churches, etc.) • Eastern religious ideas • Academic arguments.

  18. Conclusion • Truth is fundamentally based on the existence of God. Unless one can absolutely disprove the existence of God (which requires absolute knowledge), all must admit that there is at least a possibility of absolute truth. Is anyone blushing about our immoral actions? What if they are wrong – absolutely.

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