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THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN MIND

Tim Stafford

First Baptist, Eustis, FL.

Cross Training - July/August, 2009

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SESSION 4 – CONCEPT OF TRUTH: PART I

The Foundations of the Christian Mind

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I Peter 3:15-15 (NIV)

Key verses for the

foundation of our

study

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

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I Peter 3:15-15 (AMP)

Key verses for the

foundation of our

study

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

[And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].

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What is a worldview?A worldview is like

looking at the world

through glasses.

Whatever glasses I

have on influences

what I see. In a

worldview, the

“lenses” I “wear”

influences what I

think.

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The Christian Worldview in CrisisPEERS stuff here

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Noetic Structures (The glasses of worldview)

Noetic Structures

The sum total of everything that person believes.

Characterized by the way its

beliefs are related.

The differing degrees of certainty, firmness, and conviction with which people hold

their beliefs.

The kind of influence or control they have over the rest of the

beliefs in that structure.

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Noetic Structures: Example #1

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Noetic Structures (I Am Legend)

Noetic Structures

The sum total of everything that person believes.

Characterized by the way its

beliefs are related.

The differing degrees of certainty, firmness, and conviction with which people hold

their beliefs.

The kind of influence or control they have over the rest of the

beliefs in that structure.

Noetic Structures

The existence of God

Emotional Faith vs Emotional Empiricism

Virtually equal fervency; yet one is more domineeringHope vs.

Hopelessness

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Noetic Structures: Example #2

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Noetic Structures (I Am Legend)

Noetic Structures

The sum total of everything that person believes.

Characterized by the way its

beliefs are related.

The differing degrees of certainty, firmness, and conviction with which people hold

their beliefs.

The kind of influence or control they have over the rest of the

beliefs in that structure.

Noetic Structures

The existence of pre-man age/ Old Earth vs. Young Earth

The Bible tells me so vs. seeing

is believing

Equal fervency of belief. Effects the

significance of position (Priest vs. Scientist)

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Truth in Philosophical Context

Types of Truth/Falsehood

Absolute Truth Relative Truth/Falsehood Absolute Falsehood

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Truth in Philosophical Context

Definition of Types of Truth/Falsehood

Truth that is always true all of the time

Truth that is true/false in context

Falsehoods that are never true anytime

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Truth in Philosophical Context

Examples of Types of Truth/Falsehood

Jesus is the only way to God

Coke is better than Pepsi

Absolute truth does not exist

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Truth in Philosophical Context

Ramifications of Types of Truth/Falsehood

Eternal Ramifications

Cultural morays and norms

(no eternal ramifications)

Eternal Ramifications

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Evangelism: When Noetic Structures Collide

A collision of noetic structures

causes philosophical

tension and crisis(Reactions will

follow)

A collision of noetic

structures forces a decision

(Holy Spirit rules here)

A collision of noetic structures

causes further questioning (They will be

back)

A conversion is when

something within a noetic

structure undergoes

change

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Conclusion: Example of a Noetic Structure Conversion

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REMEMBER: ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The Foundations of the Christian Mind

http://www.reeltheology.info