Are You Ready To Evangelize the World? Copyright Norman Geisler 2010

The World is not Ready to be Evangelized

I. The Problem

I. The Problem A. The Contrast

The Bible Affirms The Culture Affirms

I. The Problem A. The Contrast The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known

I. The Problem A. The Contrast The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative

I. The Problem A. The Contrast The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute Not Every View is True The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute Not Every View is True The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative Every View is True The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative Every View is True

I. The Problem A. The Contrast The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute Not Every View is True Christ is the Only Way The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute Not Every View is True Christ is the Only Way The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative Every View is True Christ isn’t the Only Way The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative Every View is True Christ isn’t the Only Way

I. The Problem A. The Contrast The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute Not Every View is True Christ is the Only Way The Bible Affirms Truth Can be Known Truth is Absolute Not Every View is True Christ is the Only Way The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative Every View is True Christ isn’t the Only Way The Culture Affirms Truth Can’t be Known Truth is Relative Every View is True Christ isn’t the Only Way

I. The Problem B. The Conclusion We are preaching: We are preaching:

I. The Problem B. The Conclusion We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age

I. The Problem B. The Conclusion We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time

I. The Problem B. The Conclusion We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context

I. The Problem B. The Conclusion We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context

I. The Problem B. The Conclusion We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context In short: In short: Our message is a misfit with our milieu! Our message is a misfit with our milieu! We are preaching: We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain age A certain message in an uncertain age An absolute truth to a relativistic time An absolute truth to a relativistic time An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context An exclusive claim in a pluralistic context In short: In short: Our message is a misfit with our milieu! Our message is a misfit with our milieu!

II. The Solution A. Two alternativesA. Two alternatives –1. Change the message to fit the milieu. –2. Change the milieu to fit the message. B. The right alternative: ApologeticsB. The right alternative: Apologetics We Must Defend the Truth to our Times We Must Defend the Truth to our Times “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17). “Know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6). “Give a reason for the hope within you” (1Pet. 3:15). “Contend for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). A. Two alternativesA. Two alternatives –1. Change the message to fit the milieu. –2. Change the milieu to fit the message. B. The right alternative: ApologeticsB. The right alternative: Apologetics We Must Defend the Truth to our Times We Must Defend the Truth to our Times “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17). “Know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6). “Give a reason for the hope within you” (1Pet. 3:15). “Contend for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

II. The Solution We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth

II. The Solution We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth –Absolutism--the non-relativity of truth We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth –Absolutism--the non-relativity of truth

II. The Solution We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth –Absolutism--the non-relativity of truth –Exclusivism--the exclusivity of truth We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth –Absolutism--the non-relativity of truth –Exclusivism--the exclusivity of truth

II. The Solution We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth –Absolutism--the non-relativity of truth –Exclusivism--the exclusivity of truth We must defend:We must defend: –Realism--the knowability of truth –Absolutism--the non-relativity of truth –Exclusivism--the exclusivity of truth

The Outline: A. What is Truth?A. What is Truth? B. Can Truth be Known?B. Can Truth be Known? C. Can All Views be True?C. Can All Views be True? D. Which View is True?D. Which View is True? A. What is Truth?A. What is Truth? B. Can Truth be Known?B. Can Truth be Known? C. Can All Views be True?C. Can All Views be True? D. Which View is True?D. Which View is True?

What is Truth?

What is Truth? Truth is what: -Tells it like it is What is Truth? Truth is what: -Tells it like it is

What is Truth? Truth is what: -Tells it like it is -Corresponds to the facts What is Truth? Truth is what: -Tells it like it is -Corresponds to the facts

What is Truth? Truth is what: -Tells it like it is -Corresponds to the facts -Matches its object What is Truth? Truth is what: -Tells it like it is -Corresponds to the facts -Matches its object

A true statement matches its object “This object is a table.”

What is False? False is what does not: -Tell it like it is What is False? False is what does not: -Tell it like it is

What is False? False is what does not: -Tell it like it is -Correspond to the facts What is False? False is what does not: -Tell it like it is -Correspond to the facts

What is False? False is what does not: -Tell it like it is -Correspond to the facts -Match its object What is False? False is what does not: -Tell it like it is -Correspond to the facts -Match its object

How Do We Know? Because i t is Self-defeating to Deny It “I can’t speak a word in English.” Isn’t that in English?” Isn’t that in English?”

“Truth is not telling like it is!” Is Truth Telling it like it is? “Isn’t that telling it like it is?”

“No one knows the truth!” Can We Know the Truth? “Then how do you know that is true?”

“There is no absolute truth!” IS Truth Absolute? “Is that absolutely true?”

Is Truth Absolute? “It’s true for you but not for me!” “Is that just true for you but not for everyone?”

Are All Views True? The Pluralists claim they are.The Pluralists claim they are. Consider the elephant story:Consider the elephant story: The Pluralists claim they are.The Pluralists claim they are. Consider the elephant story:Consider the elephant story:

Are All These Vews True?

Except the one with its eyes open to the truth! And the absolute truth is: This is an elephant!

All Religions Can’t Be True: They Teach Opposites Islam with Christianity Let’s contrast:

ISLAM GOD: Only one person ISLAM GOD: Only one person CHRISTIANITY GOD: 3 persons in one God CHRISTIANITY GOD: 3 persons in one God HUMANITY: Sinful by nature HUMANITY: Good by nature JESUS: Merely a man, not God. DEATH OF CHRIST: He didn’t die or rise again SALVATION: By works when good deeds outweigh bad ones JESUS: More than a man; He was also God. DEATH OF CHRIST: He died and rose again in same body SALVATION: Not by works but is a free gift of God for all who believe BIBLE: Corrupted BIBLE: Not corrupted

How to Tell a Counterfeit Not by superficial similarities But by crucial differences How to Tell a Counterfeit Not by superficial similarities But by crucial differences

Yes. So do a counterfeit and a genuine $20 Bill. 1) Both are paper. 2) Both are rectangular. 3) Both have a “20” on them. But one is a counterfeit! Yes. So do a counterfeit and a genuine $20 Bill. 1) Both are paper. 2) Both are rectangular. 3) Both have a “20” on them. But one is a counterfeit! But Don’t They Have Things in Common?

“Opposites can both be true.” Opposites Can’t Both be True “Is the opposite of that true?”

Opposite ideas cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. Opposite ideas cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. The Opposite of True is False (The Law of Non-Contradiction) The Opposite of True is False (The Law of Non-Contradiction) The Earth is Round The Earth is not Round

Sure-Fire Way to Convince a Skeptic! “Anyone who denies the law of non-contradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not the same as not to be beaten, and to be burned is not the same as not to be burned.” (Avicenna, Great Muslim Philosopher) Sure-Fire Way to Convince a Skeptic! “Anyone who denies the law of non-contradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not the same as not to be beaten, and to be burned is not the same as not to be burned.” (Avicenna, Great Muslim Philosopher)

1.Can all religions be true? No, they teach opposites! And opposites can’t both be true. 2.Do other religions have some truth? Yes, but since the opposite of true is false, if one religion is true, then all opposing beliefs in other religions are false. 3.Can one religion be true: Yes, if we take off our blinders and see which religion corresponds to reality. 1.Can all religions be true? No, they teach opposites! And opposites can’t both be true. 2.Do other religions have some truth? Yes, but since the opposite of true is false, if one religion is true, then all opposing beliefs in other religions are false. 3.Can one religion be true: Yes, if we take off our blinders and see which religion corresponds to reality. Summary

Is There Really Only

Look at the Facts Jesus claimed itJesus claimed it Jesus proved ItJesus proved It Jesus claimed itJesus claimed it Jesus proved ItJesus proved It

Jesus Claimed It John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 10:1,9: “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” John 10:1,9: “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 10:1,9: “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” John 10:1,9: “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”

His Disciples Affirmed It Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 1Tim 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus….” Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 1Tim 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus….”

1. Fulfilling P rophecies 2. Living a Sinless and Miraculous Life 3. His Death and Resurrection No other religious leader did this! 1. Fulfilling P rophecies 2. Living a Sinless and Miraculous Life 3. His Death and Resurrection No other religious leader did this! Jesus Proved It By:

MUHAMMAD Not Virgin Born MUHAMMAD Not Virgin Born JESUS Virgin Born JESUS Virgin Born Sinless Not Sinless Not Messiah Called Messiah Did Miracles No Miracles Body in Grave Body in Heaven ACCORDING TO ISLAM

Are You Ready: To Evangelize the World? Only if you can pre-evangelize Because most of the rest of the world holds: Agnosticism Relativism Pluralism