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Tour 1- Ventology
Introduction
In this initial episode, students receive a general introduction to the overall scope and purpose of The Truth Project. This series is designed to take participants on a guided worldview tour, following the points of the worldview compass, a tool designed to direct our thinking with regard to four fundamental issues: Truth, God, Man, and the Social Order. Along the way, we will attempt to build a logical, systematic framework of ideas by which to organize and evaluate the various truth claims to be encountered during the course of our tour. Our ultimate goal is not simply to gain knowledge, but to look upon the face of God – and to be transformed in the process.
Themes
Our destination in Lesson 1 lies due North. The focal point for this first hour of discussion is the concept of Truth itself. What is truth? Why is it important? What role does it play in the biblical view of the world, God's purpose for the cosmos, His will for mankind, His plan of salvation, and the way we live our personal lives? In his comments on this subject, Dr. Del Tackett will demonstrate how truth was fundamental to the mission of Jesus Christ in the world; how it forms the heart of the Cosmic Battle that has been raging since the beginning; how this battle has divided the world into two opposing camps or sides; how lies, the antithesis of Truth, take human hearts and minds captive by the power of deception; and how every man and woman now stands in the position of having to choose between God's truth claims and the opposing perspective of the world, the flesh, and the devil. To answer the question "what is truth?" Dr. Tackett consults the 1828 edition of Webster's Dictionary which defines truth "Conformity to fact or reality ..." We will also see how popular notions of truth (represented by man on the street interviews) contrast sharply with the biblical concept (as articulated by Ravi Zacharias, Os Guinness, and R. C. Sproul).
Points to Watch for
Dr. Tackett concludes that, in almost every case, the perspective of contemporary culture stands in direct opposition to the Truth-centered worldview presented in the Bible. In the process of making this case, he advances the bold claim that our culture is not only filled with lies but is actually heading in the direction of social insanity. As a result, he proposes that Pilate's query – "What is truth?"– is the most important question facing our society today. He ends Lesson 1 by challenging his audience with this all-important question: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?"
Discussion Questions
1. What did you see on this tour?
2. Jesus stated plainly that He had come into the world "to testify to the truth" (John 18:37). Exactly what did He mean by this, and how is this claim connected with those other aspects of Jesus’ mission – for example, forgiveness, salvation, redemption, and healing – that we more naturally associate with the ultimate purpose of His advent?
3. How does one’s concept of truth affect or determine one's concept of faith?
4. What is the key point of distinction between the biblical concept of truth and popular cultural ideas about truth? How is this point related to the concept of insanity?
5. Read 2 Timothy 2:24, 26 and Colossians 4:5, 6. Why does Paul advise believers to be "gentle" rather than "quarrelsome" in their dealings with outsiders? How does our understanding of the Cosmic Battle affect the way we relate to non-believers?
6. Dr. Tackett poses the question, "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" How can we know what we really believe?
In regards to question 5- This has been on my heart lately as I have seen so many Christians (typically older generations) look down upon those who don't know Christ. Non-believers have been delivered many false truths that sound very appealing. I think it is our responsibility to "gently" expose the fallacy in these false truths and allow God to reveal His truths THROUGH us. We have a very important responsibility of gently testifying to the truth ourselves.
ReplyDelete"What Is The Truth" Pilate asks and all of the world with him since that day. Jesus says that there is freedom in the truth and unforunately most of the world has chosen the bondage of sin rather than to look to the truth.
ReplyDeleteThroughout history Satan has attacked the truth in many ways. Currently he is using "tolerance" to attack the truth. Even some "Christians" say that there are several roads to God. This is so dangerous! No matter what the majority says the truth is still the truth. As followers of Jesus we need to hold to the truth no matter what. That is why it is so important to know what we believe.
Question 3: To have faith you must have truth to stand on and base that faith. Without truth you cannot have faith. Nonbelievers or those who do not know the truth, do not have faith or trust in anyone or anything and why should they. I think this is why we as believers, standing on the truth, must be gentle in our approach to show the truth. Once someone is exposed to the truth, then they can start to experience faith.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 6: I think this is one of the most difficult questions and I cringe when I hear it from a non-believer. Without knowing the truth and accepting God, you cannot understand this concept of having faith in the Bible and Jesus. I believe in the Bible and in Jesus and therefore I believe that what I believe is really true because of my faith in the truth. That seems like a bunch of mumbo gumbo, but without the Holy Spirit to confirm this is our hearts, it is really hard to believe.
This is from Devin, who doesn't have a Gmail account:)
ReplyDeleteJesus had come to the world "to testify to the truth". One way Webster's defines "testify" is to serve as evidence or proof. This definition helped me to understand the concept better. What better evidence or proof of "truth" than Jesus, God in flesh, living on earth and exemplifying the power of a life grounded in truth. Our faith principles (forgiveness, salvation, redemption, healing) all center around an accurate understanding of "truth" as evidenced through His word. God gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could be the same evidence/proof of truth and its power. Just some thoughts.
Question 6
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nikki on the concept that until we have the Holy Spirit in us a life with Christ seems completely foolish. I also feel this question is so hard for us to answer as believers because we want to hold onto the control. I think at times we want to create a life that makes us feel our faith is real and justified by our actions, when in reality that faith and belief is only truly affirmed when we take the step of faith and His truth reverberates through our being. This question scares us and I think we often utilize ministry and service as a way to ignore this question and appease our doubts. In reality continually taking these small steps of surrender is the only way to truly confirm our belief. I really believe He wants to give us this gift of seeing Him and that leading to an amazing level of trust and belief in Him. I'm not quite there yet! :)
#1.
ReplyDeleteI see an opportunity to discuss truth and get a better grasp on what truth is. The worldly ideas of what truth is sound nice, even innocent at times, but are lies. I think and hope this will help me/us to better be able to dialogue with others, Christian and Non-Christian, about what truth is. In our culture people are afraid to say something is definitively the truth or a lie.
#2
People often say they forgive but don't or even will refuse to say they forgive but try to act as if they weren't wronged. How often do we say "Oh that's ok" as apposed to "I forgive you". Jesus really and truly forgives us for real and awful sins. The world tries to get us to buy into the idea of things or people saving us, even if only in small ways. Jesus came to clearly tell us what we were doing wrong and to save us from our wrong/sin.
#3
If you don't have faith in something that is real your faith isn't worth anything. God is real and Jesus really came to die for our sins so having a faith in God means something. Having faith in karma or some other wacko idea may sound nice but is empty and useless. It is important to know the truth and then put our faith in what is true.
#4
Truth is like a compass. If a compass doesn't always point North it isn't any good. Also you have to follow the compass to get to where you need to go. If we look at a compass but don't believe it than the compass is still useless to us. If we don't know what the truth is we can't agree on anything or make good decisions. Ex. Murder is wrong. In the Arizona Revised Statutes (the law) it is a defense for homicide (murder) that you were a doctor doing an abortion. This shows that we really know what the truth is but still won't live by it. We have looked at the compass of truth and ignored it because it wasn't convenient for us. Biblical truth isn't based on whether it is popular or people like it or feel comfortable. Biblical truth is Truth.