John 18:37-38John 18:37-38

WHAT IS TRUTH?WHAT IS TRUTH?

The Truth About Reality is Knowable

The Opposite of True is False

The Truth Matters

“One who claims to be a skeptic of one set of beliefs is actually a true believer in another set of beliefs.”- Phillip E. Johnson

The Five Most Important The Five Most Important Questions In Life Questions In Life

Origin: Where did we come from?

Identity: Who are we?

Meaning: Why are we here?

Morality: How should we live?

Destiny: Where are we going?

Three Religious World Views:Three Religious World Views:

Religious

Humanism

No God At All

Zen Buddhism

Hinduism

New Age

God Is All

Judaism

Christianity

Islam

God Made All

ATHEISMPANTHEISMTHEISM

Problems With Christianity:Problems With Christianity:

Intellectual – problem of evil, objections of many scientistsEmotional – Christian exclusivism, doctrine of hell, hypocrisy of Christians…Volitional – Rejection of Christian morality that seems to restrict our choices in life.

Whatever You Accept, You Whatever You Accept, You Accept On FaithAccept On Faith

“The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”- Carl Sagan

How could he know that for sure?

Truth Can Be KnownTruth Can Be KnownIn Fact, We Demand It!

Loved OnesDoctorsStock BrokersCourtsEmployersAirlinesTeachers

But when it comes to religion we claim truth can’t be known?

Truth Can Be KnownTruth Can Be Known

We love the truth when it enlightens us but we hate it when it convicts us.-Augustine

Maybe we can’t handle the truth…

What is Truth?What is Truth?

That which corresponds to its object

That which describes an actual state of affairs

Truth… is telling it like it is!

The Truth About TruthThe Truth About TruthTruth excludes its opposite

Truth is discovered not invented

Truth is transcultural

Truth is unchanging

Beliefs cannot change truth…no matter how sincere they are

The Truth About TruthThe Truth About TruthTruth is not affected by the attitude of the person professing it

All truths are absolute

Contrary beliefs are possible - Contrary truths are not possible

If something is true, it is to be believed regardless of the consequences - personal tastes cannot negate truth.

There’s A Seventh Man!There’s A Seventh Man!

The Person Telling The Story!

Why Do People Believe Why Do People Believe Things?Things?

Consistency

Coherence

Completeness

Scripture

Pastor/ Priest

Guru

Rabbi

Imam

Church

Comfort

Peace of Mind

Meaning

Purpose

Hope

Identtity

Parents

Friends

Society

Culture

Philosophical

Reasons

Religious

Reasons

Psychological

Reasons

Social

Reasons

The Law of The Law of NoncontradictionNoncontradiction

Contradictory claims cannot both be true

Anyone who denies the Law of Noncontradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not to be beaten and to be burned is not to be burned! -Avicenna (Muslim Philosopher)

Law of the Excluded MiddleLaw of the Excluded Middle

Either something is or is not. There is no third option.

David HumeDavid HumePropositions can only be meaningful if they meet one of the following two conditions:

-abstract reasoning such as a mathematical equation or definition (2+2=4, all triangles have three sides)

OR-the claim can be verified empirically using one or more of the five senses(Only science can yield truth).

David HumeDavid HumeIs Mr. Hume’s Theory True By Definition?

NO!

May We Use Science To Verify It?

NO!

Therefore, By His Own Standard, Mr. Hume’s Theory is:

NONSENSE!

Immanuel KantImmanuel KantNo one can know anything about the real world. One can only know his own perception of it.

Immanuel KantImmanuel KantDoes Kant Claim To Know Something About The World?

YES!

…That You Can’t Know Anything About It!

How Do We Find Truth?How Do We Find Truth?

Use the tools God gave us:Logic

Observation

LogicLogic

All Men are Mortal

Dave is a Man

Therefore, Dave is Mortal

LogicLogic

All Men Have Four Arms

Dave is a Man

Therefore, Dave Has Four Arms

LogicLogic

All Men Have Four Arms

Dave is a Man

Therefore, Dave Has Four Arms

Logic + ObservationLogic + Observation

All Books Have At Least One Author(Based on Investigation)

This Is A Book(Based on Observation)

Therefore, This Book Has At Least One Author

Truth in Religion MattersTruth in Religion MattersWho wants to base their entire life on a lie?

Jesus claimed to have truth. Jn.14:6It is possible to evaluate that claim. It is essential to evaluate that claim.

Ac.17:24-32

ARE YOU WILLING ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK IT?TO RISK IT?