The Self-Evidence of Truth
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· 25 viewsMen without the law, the heathen, are taught by nature and conscience. However, they have sinned by falling short of the standard of righteousness given to them (Romans 1:18-32).
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“A lie can travel half way around the world while Truth is still lacing up her boots” (Attributed to Mark Twain).
Michael P. Green, ed., Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 Sermon Illustrations Arranged by Topic and Indexed Exhaustively, Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file. (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989).
Adolf Hitler was considered one of the greatest liars of the last century. He taught that the bigger the lie, the more believable it was. During World War II, the U.S. government’s Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to today’s CIA, assessed Hitler’s methods this way:
His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede the there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.
He explains in his 1925 autobiography (Mein Kampf) the fantastic power of lying- note the last paragraph:
For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. These people know only too well how to use falsehood for the basest purposes….
David Kupelian in his book, How Evil Works,
“Yet, in recent decades, we too have been seduced. Many of us have been taught in our universities that the “self-evident truths” the founders relied upon are just outdated and dangerous myths. The press routinely portrays values the founders considered to be evil (high taxes, unrestrained federal power, permissive sexual morals) as good, and good as evil. Same with Hollywood, which once showcased pro-American and patriotic themes but now glorifies sex, extreme violence, and total moral confusion.”
The subjects of God's wrath (v.18).Men of ungodliness (fail to love God)Unrighteousness (fail to love others-acts against men)
The subjects of God's wrath (v.18).Men of ungodliness (fail to love God)Unrighteousness (fail to love others-acts against men)
His wrath is anger, not an agitated outburst of violence. Rather, it is decisive anger. It is an anger that stands against the sin and evil, violence and slaughter, immorality and injustices of men. It is an anger that abhors and hates sin and evil and that dishes out a just revenge and equal justice.
His wrath is anger, not an agitated outburst of violence. Rather, it is decisive anger. It is an anger that stands against the sin and evil, violence and slaughter, immorality and injustices of men. It is an anger that abhors and hates sin and evil and that dishes out a just revenge and equal justice.
This anger is against Men of ungodliness and unrighteousness 1) fail to love God, 2) fail to love others (acts against men) Reveal in four ways:
God gave men up to do as they willed (v.24).2. God gave men up to uncleanness (v.24-25).3. God gave men up to vile, unnatural affections (v.26-27).4. God gave men up to reprobate, depraved minds (v.28-31).5. God assures final judgment: death (v.32).
God gave men up to do as they willed (v.24).2. God gave men up to uncleanness (v.24-25).3. God gave men up to vile, unnatural affections (v.26-27).4. God gave men up to reprobate, depraved minds (v.28-31).5. God assures final judgment: death (v.32).
2. God gave men up to uncleanness (v.24-25).
2. God gave men up to uncleanness (v.24-25).
3. God gave men up to vile, unnatural affections (v.26-27).
3. God gave men up to vile, unnatural affections (v.26-27).
2. Men reject that "within" them—conscience and thoughts (v.19).; and Scriptures (; ) 3. Men reject that "without" them—the signs of creation (v.20). Nature 4. Men do not honor God nor give thanks (v.21). 5. Men become prideful and turn away from God (v.22-23).
2. Men reject that "within" them—conscience and thoughts (v.19).; and Scriptures (; ) 3. Men reject that "without" them—the signs of creation (v.20). Nature 4. Men do not honor God nor give thanks (v.21). 5. Men become prideful and turn away from God (v.22-23).
4. God gave men up to reprobate, depraved minds (v.28-31).
4. God gave men up to reprobate, depraved minds (v.28-31).
3. Men reject that "without" them—the signs of creation (v.20). Nature
5. God assures final judgment: death (v.32).
5. God assures final judgment: death (v.32).
4. Men do not honor God nor give thanks (v.21).
too wise to believe in God.
5. Men become prideful and turn away from God (v.22-23).
• too intelligent to depend upon the fables of the Bible.
• too capable not to look to self.
• too resourceful not to create his own world and future.
• too masterful not to trust his own humanistic ideas.
• too reasonable and rational not to create his own standards and laws to control life.
The bottom line is this, in agreement with one writer:
“ if we fail find this inner fidelity to God, then we automatically designate someone or something else to fill that necessary role: we will worship another “god.” Moreover, when we are in rebellion against the true God, we need lies and deception to maintain our illusions— and people who love power are all too eager to step up and play role for us. This is what happens when we are avoiding inner Truth.
“The basis for truth is the Scriptures which have their origin in God, not in man, therefore stand in authority over man.” Note
; 119:160