Veritology: The study of truth
Why is the concept of truth so important when it comes to the biblical view of the world and God's purpose of the universe, His will for mankind, His plan of salvation, and the way we live our personal lives?
God has given us fundamental answers to all the questions in life.
God has provided a social order prescribed for man.
Truth was fundamental to the mission of Jesus Christ.
Fundamental concept >> To gaze upon the face of God.
We are talking about looking at the glory of His attributes, His Character, His nature.
God is Truth and the ultimate source of all Truth .
We are called to "look" at who He really is.
It is the essential part of "knowing Him" that should be our number one objective in life.
Why did Jesus come into the world?Why was He born? For what reason? For What purpose?
When he was on trial for his life Jesus spoke some words which give an answer to these questions. He said in John 18:37, "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
This statement doesn’t override any other of his objective statements. It actually helps to clarify many of them, such as:
to fulfill the prophecies (Matt 5 :17)
to set the captives free (John 8 : 32)
to save the world and have everyone come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2 : 3-4)
How can one man save the world? (Who can fathom that?)
Jesus on the witness stand >>> Truth is on trial
When Christ wanted to get our attention for something really important, He would begin, “Truly, truly I say unto you.” John quotes Him 25 times speaking these words.
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ – John 1:17
I am the way and the truth and the life – John 14:16
We are sanctified by the truth – John 17:17
We must worship in spirit and in truth – John 4:24
The truth will set you free – John 8:32
The spirit of truth – John 14:16-17
Knowledge of the truth – John 16:13
Salvation and truth >>> a very close link with each other
The sword of the spirit >>> The Truth of God
How does mankind react (respond) to the Truth?
Men will not put up with sound doctrine and turn away from truth – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
According to the world, to claim that there is absolute truth leads to intolerance and prejudice against what others think.
The real trial >>> Truth vs. Lie
There are other sides to the Truth.
“Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
The Cosmic battle (from the very beginning)
Truth (reality) vs. Lie (illusion)
Satan had his truth claims vs. God’s truth claims.
Scene in heaven between God and Satan – Job 1:2 – “Did God really say?”
Two Fathers
John 8:44 – "You belong to your father, the devil"
When we begin to renounce Satan's lies and to receive God's Truth, our eyes will be opened to receive God's Truth and to walk in the light.
Connection between sin, lies and deceit
Every sin that besets us can be traced to
a belief in a lie – Our sins take us captive to the lies of the world
Dealing with outsiders
2 Timothy 2 and Colossians 4:5-6 – They have been
taken captive and we must "gently instruct them" and let our "speech be seasoned
with salt"
Battle of Worldviews
An antithesis between God’s truth claims and the lies of the
world, the flesh, and the devil
Definition of Worldview according to TTP:"A worldview is a comprehensive set of truth claims that purport to paint a true picture of reality. A comprehensive biblical worldview is one that includes and fundamentally understands God's truth claimed over every area of life. Our personal worldview is the total set of truth claims that we have bought, consciously or subconsciously, which drive our emotions and what we think and do in unguarded moments — reflecting what we believe to be really real.
Today's culture vs. God's truth:
Unity vs. Division
Diversity vs. Unification
Roles vs. Jealousy
Responsibility vs. Blame (We live in a world of blame)
Authority vs. Rebellion
Delegation vs. Tyranny
Freedom vs. Bondage
Glimpse at Anthropology- Goo Man- Product of the Cosmos- Basically Good- Perfectable
What is Truth? “this question could well be the most important question that we and our culture must answer”
Primary Truth >>> Truth as it relates to Reality
Noah Webster – 1828:
Truth: “Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be… We rely upon the truth of the scriptural prophecies.”
The Supression of Truth >>> We exchange the Truth of God for a Lie
Equating an idol to a lie - Isaiah 44 – Lies are powerful and lead us to insane notions
Perception by definition is relative. Truth by definition cannot be relative. There can be no perception of truth. There is only truth.
What is Insanity?We all suffer from "Common Insanity" - losing touch with reality
Connecting faith with our actions and emotions: God is the object of our
faith and our hope – Our actions are the most reliable indicator of our
beliefs.
God is the ultimate source of Truth – Colossians 2:2-3
Jesus is the reflection of God’s character and nature.
God’s character >>> “Jehovah Jirah” (Matthew 6:25-34 – God provides)
God’s nature >>> Source of truth
What is Faith?
Faith >>> is a big word used today: “People of faith” >> faith in what?
Conclusion:
"Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?"
Reflect on the faith of a child towards his mother or father.
Our faith should overcome our feelings.
We need to reach out for the claims of God and hang on to them when dealing with worry.
We should act on what we believe rather than what we are feeling >> that is faith
Truth should be the reference point for everything we do in our lives.
In almost every case, the perspective of contemporary culture stands in direct opposition to the Truth-centered worldview presented in the Bible.
Our culture is not only filled with lies but is actually heading in the direction of social insanity.
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