What is truth?
Notes
Transcript
Truth? What comes to your mind when you hear that word?
You want the truth? You Cannot handle the Truth? Jack Nickolason
Philosophy
Truth… What is it, Who Defines, and What does it mean for You and Me?
In this postmodern, Politically Correct World we live in
Truth is relative
TRUTH IS THAT WHICH IS CONSTANT AND UNCHANGEABLE.
• Truth is not simply whatever works. This is the philosophy of pragmatism – an ends-vs.-means-type approach. In reality, lies can appear to “work,” but they are still lies and not the truth.
• Truth is not simply what is coherent or understandable. A group of people can get together and form a conspiracy based on a set of falsehoods where they all agree to tell the same false story, but it does not make their presentation true.
• Truth is not what makes people feel good. Unfortunately, bad news can be true.
• Truth is not what the majority says is true. Fifty-one percent of a group can reach a wrong conclusion.
• Truth is not what is comprehensive. A lengthy, detailed presentation can still result in a false conclusion.
• Truth is not defined by what is intended. Good intentions can still be wrong.
• Truth is not how we know; truth is what we know.
• Truth is not simply what is believed. A lie believed is still a lie.
• Truth is not what is publicly proved. A truth can be privately known (for example, the location of buried treasure).
God the Father is “the God of truth” (; ).
Jesus Christ is “full of grace and truth” (). In fact, He is “the truth” (14:6).
The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (14:17; 15:26; 16:13).
Paul calls Scripture “the word of truth” (). Jesus prayed, “Your word is truth” ().
Everything about God is true. God always tells it like it is.
How valuable is the truth? Its worth is more “than gold, yes, than much fine gold” ().
How valuable is the truth? Its worth is more “than gold, yes, than much fine gold” ().
“Nothing is deemed more precious by God than truth. No one can be saved without the truth. Nor can anyone be sanctified or strengthened without it.”
No one can be saved without the truth. Nor can anyone be sanctified or strengthened without it.
What are the characteristics of truth?
Truth is Divine
Truth is Divine
Ultimately, all truth is God’s truth. Truth is from above. It is not of this world. It is not what the crowd speculates something to be. It is not determined by opinion polls, nor is it discovered by public surveys. It is not grandfathered in by human tradition. Truth can be known only by divine revelation.
God is the one Source and sole Author of truth. Sin is whatever God says it is. Judgment is whatever God says it is. Salvation is what God says it is. Heaven and hell are what God says they are. It matters not what man says but simply what God says. One word of what God says is worth more than ten thousand libraries of what man says. “Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar” ().
Truth is Absolute
Truth is Absolute
Truth is Singular
Truth is Singular
Truth is Objective
Truth is Objective
Truth is Authoritative
Truth is Authoritative
Truth is Immutable
Truth is Immutable
Unchanging
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
psalm 119.89 isa 40.8
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
What is Truth
Can Truth be known.
What does this Mean to us?
How we view “truth” determines our worldview.
Truth is Foundation of My Worldview
Truth is Liberating
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Truth is Meant to Be Shared