1. Tactics 1: The MOat Michael W. Moyles Christian Apologetics

2. Is Christianity true? If so, how do you know?
What is Christianity?
What, exactly, are you claiming to be true?
What is truth?
If not, why do you believe it?
WHY are you a Christian?

3. Because it’s true. No other reason.
Because I was raised that way.
Because my parents are/were.
Because I had a dream (or other supernatural experience).
Because I was raised in America.
Because…
What is wrong with ALL these answers?

4. Michael W. Moyles www.clearthinkingchristian.com moylesm@hotmail.com
Investigating Truth
Michael W. Moyles

5. What is Truth? Something is true when it corresponds to reality
Does truth exist?
If so, can we know it?
Many things we hear and say every day are truth claims
Two “kinds” of truth:
Subjective or “Relative” Truth
Objective or “Absolute” Truth
Insulin or Ice Cream?

6. Subjective or “Relative” Truth
Personal choices related to the individual
Usually based on preference or feeling
Easily and frequently changed
Chocolate ice cream is delicious!
Blue is prettier than red
Subjective truth is neither true nor false

7. Objective or “Absolute” Truth
Unrelated to personal preferences or feelings
True for everyone, everywhere, all the time
Objective truths are true no matter how we “feel” about them, and whether or not we agree with them
Even if everyone believes a lie that doesn't make it true
Even if no one believes the truth, that doesn't make it false
Two plus two equals four
I am in the U.S. Army
Objective truth is either true or false

8. Objective or “Absolute” Truth
Truth is discovered, not invented
Gravity existed before Newton “discovered” it
Truth is unchanging, although our beliefs about truth may change

9. Test Time!

10. Test Time! I own a red Ferrari.
Objective claim. False (unfortunately).
Basketball is more fun to play than baseball.
Subjective claim.
Washington, D.C. is the current capital of the United States.
Objective claim. True.
Paul Robyn can bench press 400 pounds.
Objective claim. Paul?

11. Okay, now it gets a bit harder…

12. Test Time! You must drive on the right side of the road.
Subjective (relative) claim. Why?
It’s relative – it depends on where you are.
The Earth is flat.
Objective claim. False.
Was this true at one time? No -- although many (most?) believed it.
Murder is wrong.
Objective claim. True or false?

13. What About the Claims that Matter?
Christianity is true
Jesus is God and Lord
Jesus rose from the dead
The Bible is the Word of God

14. What About the Claims that Matter?
Christianity is historic

15. What About the Claims that Matter?
Christianity is evidential

16. What About the Claims that Matter?
Christianity is scientific

17. Objective Truth Investigation
What do we do if we disagree on a statement of Objective Truth?
Investigate the evidence – “Chocolate ice cream is a medicine that controls diabetes.”
Test the claim – “Mr. Robyn can bench press 400 pounds.”
Correct the error

18. Objective Moral Truths
Just as we have standards in the physical world, we have standards in the moral world
Beating up a handicapped girl
Torturing babies for fun
Terrorism

19. Conclusion Truth exists and can be known There are two kinds of truth
Subjective (relative) truth
Objective (absolute) truth
Objective truth includes both physical truths and moral truths
Your views on truth dictate much of how you think, act, respond, and relate
Christianity is true – objectively, absolutely.

20. Questions?

21. Backup Slides

22. Relativism Denial of Objective Truth
“Society Does” Relativism
Societies have different view on morality, therefore no objective morality exists
“Society Says” Relativism
People ought to do what society says to do -- society determines what is true
“I Say” Relativism
Each person defines their own truth

23. Objective or “Absolute” Truth
Similar to two kinds of truth are two kinds of error -- irrationality and immorality:
We can be irrational
Two plus two equals five
Correct the error
We can be immoral
Murder is wrong
Correct the person