Speaking notes: Bible Mythbusters 1: Does Truth Exist?

PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE MY LECTURE NOTES AND DO NOT CONTAIN PROPER CITATION - SORRY FOR THE OVERSITE

Mythbusters Series is based on apologetics or defending the Apostolic faith to the world and denominal and Charismatic Christian world. Our first lesson in this Mythbusters Series is called “Does Truth Exist? Shattering the myth of Postmodernism.” Our study will be part Bible study, part history lesson, part Christian apologetics Now before you roll your eyes, yawn and prepare for a good nap let me explain where and why we’re going in this direction tonight.

Why study this topic?

Dominant philosophy of the culture – new philosophy only been an academic discipline since 1980s

Postmodernism in a nutshell:
· Absolute truth does not exist
· The only truth is created by the culture
· You must find your own truth, morality, faith and spirituality
· “Do what is right in your own eyes”

Most of us know that this isn’t true – so I doubt that I have to convince anyone here – but I want to give you the tools to deconstruct this Satanic lie and understand it’s true origin.

We have an obligation to answer the unique spiritual cry of our culture

The Apostle Peter said

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.

We have a scriptural obligation to answer our culture with the truth of the Gospel. Just as Paul was aware of the culture when he stood before the Greeks on Mars Hill and said that they were very religious but were missing the point we must answer the unique spiritual cry of this culture with the unchanging power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..

Our 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.

What is it?

History (human)
One of the best ways to discover what something is like is to look at its roots.

Postmodernism is a response to modernism.

Modernism is what most of you grew up around…
Sought to understand everything in terms of rationalism and the scientific method
It emphasized materialism
o Matter and the physical world are the only reality
o Science is the only answer for the origin of the universe and human existence
Major philosophers
o Darwin - evolution
o Karl Marx – the founder of Communism
o Nietzsche – “God Is Dead” Secularism and Science had killed the notion of God in western culture

Now Postmodernism is the recent response to Modernism
o Science has not answered all of the questions about the origin of man and the universe
o The advancement of technology, science and knowledge did not answer humanity’s nagging spiritual longing for more from life
o Pop Psychology is rejecting the idea that human emotions, feelings are nothing more than chemical processes. My psychology professor “seems to be something more to the human mind”

Until the world recognizes, submits to and serves Jesus Christ life will continually be void of meaning and purpose. True happiness exists in the loving arms of Jesus Christ.

However, instead of embracing God when modernism fell to pieces culture embraced posmodernism

Philosophy described

Truth is relative – meaning is created by the human mind and the culture.
§ We believe in Christianity not b/c it’s true but b/c it’s the dominant religion of our childhood
Religion and truth are then a product of the human mind and the culture
Religion is a human attempt to consolidate power within a culture
§ This part irritates me!
§ Postmodernism is widely embraced by society b/c it’s selfish.
· If you don’t want to do something that’s ok! You don’t have too!
· If you want to have an affair – you can! B/c you have to look after you – do what’s right for you.

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”

“There are so many religions how can you say yours is true..that’s intolerant”

It is my personal belief that this philosophy with the popularity Hinduism and Zen/Yoga – both systems teach that the only reality is the one you experience and your experiences and your reality is unique to you

With these statements in mind let’s begin to build our case against postmodernism

Philosophy Refuted

Truth is not subjective
§ For something to be true it must correspond to an objective fact (correspond to its referent)
· Consider this statement: The earth is round.
o For that statement to be true the earth must in fact be round.
Doesn’t make sense
§ Something is either absolutely true or absolutely false
§ Opposing statements would have to be true
Milk example
Postmodernism is dumb: Consider these two statements
§ The milk is in the fridge
§ The milk is not in the fridge
· According to postmodernism it would be possible for milk to both in and not in the fridge at the same time!

Philosophy is self-destructive/contradictory
§ If it is absolutely true it collapses upon itself
· It makes relative truth an absolute. Either you accept relativism or you’re wrong and intolerant
§ If it is relatively true


And that, dear saints of God, is crazy!

The Bible says
Ps 31:5
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
KJV
The Bible declares over and over and over again that truth is not in the eye of the beholder but is absolute and determined by God. If there is absolute truth then there is absolute morality and accountability to one God. Whom this world will stand before and be judged according to their works. And if, this world wants to escape that day Jesus said
Matt 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
KJV

Postmodernism is the most dangerous philosophy to enter our culture
o It’s really not new
o It’s as old as eden
Satan’s temptation of Eve sounds just like this philosophy

Gen 3:1-6
3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
KJV

Postmodernism is the ultimate Satanic Deception! It allows you to be your own God. If you create your own reality, morals then you are accountable only to yourself – you are god!!!

Do know that the modern day Church of Satan do not necessarily believe in the worship of the Devil as supreme god! Do you know who they worship SELF!!
Quotes from the Satanic Bible and Satanic founder Anton LeVey Listen to what Anton LeVey the founder of the Church of Satan believes


They do not worship a living deity.
Major emphasis is placed on the power and authority of the individual Satanist, rather than on a god or goddess.
They believe that "no redeemer liveth" - that each person is their own redeemer, fully responsible for the direction of their own life
The Church of Satan is highly decentralized, believing that a strong central organization is not desirable. Each Satanist is expected to follow his/her own path.
Truth does exist both the Bible and the brain God gave you declare that there are absolutes in our world – Postmodernism has just been busted