TEXT: Doctrinal, Multiple Texts
INTRO: Using 10 questions from a Barna Research survey to determine whether someone has a Christian worldview.
I. QUESTION # 1: DO ABSOLUTE MORAL TRUTHS EXIST?
A. What is Absolute Truth? 1.) General definition: “Absolute truth refers to fixed, invariable, unalterable facts that create inflexible reality. It is inherently exclusive.” It means some things are always true and it excludes any possibility of changing or successfully denying it If there are absolute truths, to disregard and act contrary to one is to guarantee failure and to accept one as true and act accordingly puts one in harmony with reality.
2.) Examples of absolute truths: a.) Absolutely no square circles or round squares. b.) To claim there is no absolute truth is to claim there is an absolute truth. c.) Opposite claims on one issue cannot both be true. d.) 2+2=4. e.) “Today you are you, that is truer than true. No one on earth is more you-er than you.” – Dr. Suess.
3.) Absolute moral truths are truths that dictate how we are to think and act to have proper moral relationships in regard to the rest of existence. Morality has to do with the distinction between right and wrong, good and bad. To choose to do right is moral and justice and mercy is correctly given to all, to choose to do wrong is immoral and denies justice and mercy for others.
Gal. 6:7, “Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Absolute moral truths must be based on an unchangeable moral standard
B. If absolute moral truths are good, why would anyone want to deny them?
1.) It appeals to one’s desire to direct one’s own destiny. Gen.:3:1,”[The serpent said to Eve], ‘Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden?. . . .[Eve answered], ‘God said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die’ . . . ‘No! You will not die.’ The serpent said to the woman.’”
2.) It appeals to our pride and our desire to control others. The 9th Commandment says, “Thou shall not bear false witness.” – unless it benefits you??
3.) It makes it easy to justify any decision and deny guilt. Without moral absolute truths like “all life has value,” murder can be done guiltlessly
C. Without absolute moral truth we would be unable to recognize the true difference between right and wrong, good and evil, personal growth or stagnation, and so on.
II. QUESTION # 2: IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH DEFINED BY THE BIBLE?
A. Is the Bible the source of knowing and understanding what is real or false, right or wrong, good or bad?
B, The meaning of truth in the Bible. Truth = “emet” = also faithfulness.
Ps. 100:5 says, “For Yahweh is good, His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness/ (truth) to all generations.”
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In Greek (NT) “aletheia”= truth, faithful or dependable. Jn. 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.” What He says or does is in accord with His Father and is always right and accepting it is necessary.
2.) The Biblical Claims for itself. a.) 2 Tim. 3:15-16, “and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness. So that the [child] of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
b.) Jn. 3:16, “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
c.) Heb. 4:12, “For the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”
3.) The claims of witnesses. a.) Martin Luther, “The Bible is the cradle in which Christ is Laid.”
b.) John Quincy Adams, “So great is my veneration for the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens to their country and respectable members of society.”
c.) Our most beloved president, Abe Lincoln, wrote, I am profitable engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book you can by reason and the balance by faith, and you will live and die better men.”
CONCLUSION
Jesus said, “He you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” If you do not believe these things which are presented in the Bible you cannot have a biblical or Christian worldview.