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Lesson 8 Is Truth Knowable? Defend Your Faith Lesson 8 Is Truth Knowable? Presented by Chris Reeves * Park Road church of Christ * Gospel Meeting * April 19, 2013
“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” – 1 Peter 3:15
Truth Is Knowable Ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15) The importance of this question (John 18:38) Four important questions concerning truth: Does truth exist? What is truth? What is true? What is important truth?
The Post-Modern Crisis of Truth What is a post-modern world? What is post-modernism? What are the catchwords and lingo of postmodernism? What brought about postmodernism? What effect did postmodernism have on religion?
Presenting Your Case For Truth Truth is knowable Truth is what corresponds to reality; what is real and factual, what actually exists (Genesis 42:11-20; Deuteronomy 13:12-14; Matthew 26:73)
Answering Objections Objection #1: There is no absolute, objective, knowable truth. If there is no absolute truth then the statement, “there is no absolute truth,” is itself not absolutely true. The postmodern individual today accepts the theory that there is no absolute truth, but not the practice. He does not actually live by his own theory on a daily basis and therefore, does not really believe it. Post-moderns don’t live it and therefore, don’t really believe it.
Answering Objections Objection #2: We cannot religious and moral truth. We can know… Historical truth – George Washington was our first president. Mathematical truth – two plus two equals four. Scientific truth – when you release a ball it falls to the ground. Geographical truth – the direction of north, south, east, or west. Etc., etc., etc.
Defend Your Faith Does truth exist? Yes, truth exists in all areas of our life, including morality and religion. What is truth? Truth is that which corresponds to reality – what actually exists. What is true? Something is true when we personally experience it, when it is reliably reported to us, or both. What is important truth? Truth that pertains to our eternal destiny.
Defend Your Faith The truth of the new birth is a “must” – “You must be born anew” (John 3:5-7) The truth of worship is a “must” – “They that worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). The truth of obedient faith in Jesus is a “must” – “What must we do…?” (John 6:28-29).
Defend Your Faith The truth of salvation from sin is a “must” – “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 2:37; 9:6; 16:30). The truth of obedient faith in God is a “must” – “For he that comes to God must believe that he is…” (Hebrews 11:6).
Defend Your Faith Yes, truth is knowable and there is nothing as good as the truth. There is no substitute for truth! Do you have the will to believe today (John 7:17)?
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” – John 7:16-17