IMPORTANT DATES FOR R.A.G.E. YOUTH - APRIL 30!
- MAY 15 GYM NITE
- JUNE 2 - ONTARIO PLACE TRIP. PLEASE HAVE YOUR MONEY READY BY MAY 22
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Monday, April 30, 2007
IMPORTANT DATES RAGE YOUTH - APRIL 30
TRUTH - defense for absolutism
A MAJORITY OF THE INFORMATION COMES FROM JOSH MCDOWELL'S NEW EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT IF YOU NOTICE THAT I HAVE COPIED ANOTHER'S WORK AND PROPER CITATION WAS NOT GIVEN - IT WAS AN OVERSITE NOT INTENTIONAL. FORGIVE ME, I'M NEW AT THIS.
TRUTH – a defense for absolutism
INTRO:
1 Pet 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
(KJV)
Answer:
627 apologia (ap-ol-og-ee'-ah); from the same as 626; a plea ("apology"):
KJV-- answer (forself), clearing ofself, defence.
§ In this scripture we are commanded by Peter to defend what we believe.
o Above is the Strong’s definition for the word answer – which as you can see is not to merely reply but to vigorously contend for our faith.
Tonight I want to give you a few extra tools to defend what we believe. Tonight I want to defend the belief of absolute truth. Many do not understand why we would discuss this tonight – they would think that that this philosophical discussion/Bible study would have no spiritual benefit to Christian youth. However, let me show you with two reasons why this discussion is imperative to our faith.
1. Our entire faith is based on absolute facts.
1 Cor 15:12-18
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
(KJV)
Paul was writing in defense of a bodily resurrection – but in the process makes a very important point about the nature of our faith. We believe that Jesus died for our sins, and then rose again on the third day to conquer death and give those who follow him victory over sin and death. But let me ask you, what if Jesus didn’t die or even worse, died then did not rise again? I borrow the words of Paul, “you faith is also in vain.” The Christian belief is utterly different from other religions because it is based upon actual events that took place in time and space – not mystical experiences or philosophy. That is why we defend absolutism, if there is no absolute truth we have no faith.
2. The world denies absolutism
How many have ever heard the following statements?
“Well that may be true for you, but it’s not for me”
“Look don’t force your values on me. Just because they’re true for you doesn’t mean they’re true for me”
Jesus is the truth Reply: “That’s wonderful if that’s true for you, but it’s not true for me”
“There are so many religions how can you say yours is true”
With these statements in mind let’s begin to build our case.
Defending absolute truth:
There are two words we must define in our study.
§ Metaphysics: the philosophical study of being as being, that is, of reality as it is in itself
§ Epistemology: how we know
(The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict, McDowell, 585)
What is truth? Truth is that which corresponds to its referent. Metaphysical truth is that which corresponds with reality – by correspond we mean in agreement with some thing. In other words, a belief is true when it corresponds to an objective fact. This objective fact stands alone, needs no defense it is true because it is true.
Example: What was the highest mountain in the world before Mt Everest was discovered?_______________________________________ *** See end of blog for answer***
A philosopher by the name of Peter Van Inwagen writes:
“Each of our beliefs and assertions represents the World as being a certain way, and the belief or assertion is true if the World is that way, and false if the World is not that way. It is, as one might put it, up to our beliefs and assertions to get the World right; if they don’t, they’re not doing their job, and that’s their fault and no fault of the world’s”
If the correspondence theory were not true all factual communication would break down.
It would be impossible to lie if our words didn’t need to correspond to a fact
ABSOLUTISM VS RELATIVISM
Now that we have built a case for absolutism – let’s contrast it with the more common worldview of relativism.
Relativism is the theory that there is no objective standard by which truth may be determined, so that truth varies with individuals and circumstances.
Adam’s views on relativism: it’s dumb – it’s dumb to think and live your life this way b/c if you think about relativism for more than 20 seconds you will realize that it is a self-destructive philosophy. Let me use Josh McDowell and other really smart people to explain my premise. You cannot believe in relativism unless you believe in absolute truth. If the theory of relativism is true it is either true absolutely (meaning relativism is false) or it would be relatively true. And if it is, then relatively true to whom – and is it absolutely true to that person or relatively true? In other words, relativism implodes b/c it is either self-defeating or unassertable.
Entertain for a moment if relativism was true – the world would be full of contradictions, opposite conditions would exist. Examine the following statements, “There is milk in the fridge” “There is no milk in the fridge” if both statements are true then there must be and not be milk in the fridge. That’s nuts!
IN CONCLUSION
I certainly hope I’ve given you something to both think about and use as God leads you to seeking hearts. After convincing a seeker that absolutism is true – it would be perfect timing to introduce them to the powerful, life-changing truth of the Word of God. Perhaps next time we will discuss the reliability of the Bible. Till then, God bless – Adam.
MT Everest!
INTRO:
1 Pet 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
(KJV)
Answer:
627 apologia (ap-ol-og-ee'-ah); from the same as 626; a plea ("apology"):
KJV-- answer (forself), clearing ofself, defence.
§ In this scripture we are commanded by Peter to defend what we believe.
o Above is the Strong’s definition for the word answer – which as you can see is not to merely reply but to vigorously contend for our faith.
Tonight I want to give you a few extra tools to defend what we believe. Tonight I want to defend the belief of absolute truth. Many do not understand why we would discuss this tonight – they would think that that this philosophical discussion/Bible study would have no spiritual benefit to Christian youth. However, let me show you with two reasons why this discussion is imperative to our faith.
1. Our entire faith is based on absolute facts.
1 Cor 15:12-18
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
(KJV)
Paul was writing in defense of a bodily resurrection – but in the process makes a very important point about the nature of our faith. We believe that Jesus died for our sins, and then rose again on the third day to conquer death and give those who follow him victory over sin and death. But let me ask you, what if Jesus didn’t die or even worse, died then did not rise again? I borrow the words of Paul, “you faith is also in vain.” The Christian belief is utterly different from other religions because it is based upon actual events that took place in time and space – not mystical experiences or philosophy. That is why we defend absolutism, if there is no absolute truth we have no faith.
2. The world denies absolutism
How many have ever heard the following statements?
“Well that may be true for you, but it’s not for me”
“Look don’t force your values on me. Just because they’re true for you doesn’t mean they’re true for me”
Jesus is the truth Reply: “That’s wonderful if that’s true for you, but it’s not true for me”
“There are so many religions how can you say yours is true”
With these statements in mind let’s begin to build our case.
Defending absolute truth:
There are two words we must define in our study.
§ Metaphysics: the philosophical study of being as being, that is, of reality as it is in itself
§ Epistemology: how we know
(The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict, McDowell, 585)
What is truth? Truth is that which corresponds to its referent. Metaphysical truth is that which corresponds with reality – by correspond we mean in agreement with some thing. In other words, a belief is true when it corresponds to an objective fact. This objective fact stands alone, needs no defense it is true because it is true.
Example: What was the highest mountain in the world before Mt Everest was discovered?_______________________________________ *** See end of blog for answer***
A philosopher by the name of Peter Van Inwagen writes:
“Each of our beliefs and assertions represents the World as being a certain way, and the belief or assertion is true if the World is that way, and false if the World is not that way. It is, as one might put it, up to our beliefs and assertions to get the World right; if they don’t, they’re not doing their job, and that’s their fault and no fault of the world’s”
If the correspondence theory were not true all factual communication would break down.
It would be impossible to lie if our words didn’t need to correspond to a fact
ABSOLUTISM VS RELATIVISM
Now that we have built a case for absolutism – let’s contrast it with the more common worldview of relativism.
Relativism is the theory that there is no objective standard by which truth may be determined, so that truth varies with individuals and circumstances.
Adam’s views on relativism: it’s dumb – it’s dumb to think and live your life this way b/c if you think about relativism for more than 20 seconds you will realize that it is a self-destructive philosophy. Let me use Josh McDowell and other really smart people to explain my premise. You cannot believe in relativism unless you believe in absolute truth. If the theory of relativism is true it is either true absolutely (meaning relativism is false) or it would be relatively true. And if it is, then relatively true to whom – and is it absolutely true to that person or relatively true? In other words, relativism implodes b/c it is either self-defeating or unassertable.
Entertain for a moment if relativism was true – the world would be full of contradictions, opposite conditions would exist. Examine the following statements, “There is milk in the fridge” “There is no milk in the fridge” if both statements are true then there must be and not be milk in the fridge. That’s nuts!
IN CONCLUSION
I certainly hope I’ve given you something to both think about and use as God leads you to seeking hearts. After convincing a seeker that absolutism is true – it would be perfect timing to introduce them to the powerful, life-changing truth of the Word of God. Perhaps next time we will discuss the reliability of the Bible. Till then, God bless – Adam.
MT Everest!
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