FINDING TRUTH
Notes
Transcript
Apologetics Training Manual - Romans 1:14-32.
Apologetics Training Manual - Romans 1:14-32.
“Nearly all that we call human history . . . [is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” —C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
“Nearly all that we call human history . . . [is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” —C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Romans 1:11-12
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Part one: “I Lost My Faith at an EvangelicalCollege” - p21
Part one: “I Lost My Faith at an EvangelicalCollege” - p21
JESUS IS TRUTH
JESUS IS TRUTH
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Paul wanted the people in the Church at Rome to be established.
Paul wanted the people in the Church at Rome to be established.
They would do this by “testing everything.”
They would do this by “testing everything.”
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
Thomas wanted evidence!
Thomas wanted evidence!
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Paul made a defense before Festus,
Paul made a defense before Festus,
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”
25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
Rational Words are Meaningful words
Rational Words are Meaningful words
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
Lets Get to the Evidence
Lets Get to the Evidence
Evidence Through Creation is General Revelation
Evidence Through Creation is General Revelation
We all have access to the evidence for God through creation - God’s general revelation
We all have access to the evidence for God through creation - God’s general revelation
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
The Mountains, and canyons.
The Mountains, and canyons.
The Stars and Galaxies.
The Stars and Galaxies.
Evidence from Life
Evidence from Life
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Roman orator, Cicero wrote:
Roman orator, Cicero wrote:
When we see something moved by machinery, like [the planetary system] or a clock . . . we do not doubt that these are the work of reason.
When we see something moved by machinery, like [the planetary system] or a clock . . . we do not doubt that these are the work of reason.
“You see not the Deity, yet . . . by the contemplation of his works you are led to acknowledge a God.” —Cicero
“You see not the Deity, yet . . . by the contemplation of his works you are led to acknowledge a God.” —Cicero
Evidence from Personhood
Evidence from Personhood
People are part of the things “that have been made”
People are part of the things “that have been made”
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
As people, we can think, feel, choose and act. We are not just matter
As people, we can think, feel, choose and act. We are not just matter
Idols are not someone, but something!
Idols are not someone, but something!
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: Eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: Noses have they, but they smell not:
27 who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’
There is plenty of evidence, but people suppress the evidence.
There is plenty of evidence, but people suppress the evidence.
They Suppress the truth
They Suppress the truth
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
They Hide From God
They Hide From God
Adam and Eve hid from God.
Adam and Eve hid from God.
They Set Up Substitutes for God
They Set Up Substitutes for God
Romans 1:23 (ESV)
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Every Person Must Make the Choice
Every Person Must Make the Choice
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
