Theology

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Theology
Pastor Brett Peterson Coastland University
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What are the sources of our study of Theology?

• The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
• Scripture (Supreme Authority)
• Reason
• Tradition
• Experience
• All four of these areas are important to discover
  truth however, the last two need to be used
  with caution.

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Arguments for God

• How do you know God exists?
• What arguments do we have to establish Gods
  existence?

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• As a preface to the arguments, it is worth noting
  an argument that the claim that God exists is
  made more plausible by the fact of wide-spread
  religious belief. This argument is called the
  argument from desire. Generally speaking, if we
  have an innate desire for a thing then that thing
  both exists and is good for us. The natural
  instinct to look to the transcendent, therefore,
  is proof enough for God.

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• 1.  THE "COSMOLOGICAL" ARGUMENT...is also called
  "the argument from first cause.  It is based upon
  the premise that "every effect must have a
  cause".  The cosmos (universe) is an effect that
  has adequate cause. The theist believes that Gen
  11 reveals that adequate cause  "In the
  beginning God created the heavens and the
  earth." 
•   

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• 2.  THE "TELEOLOGICAL" ARGUMENT...is based upon
  the evidence of design in the universe.  The name
  the teleological argument is derived from the
  Greek word telos, meaning end or purpose.
• Evidence of design suggests a "designer", some
  Being with intelligence possessing purpose. 
  Example  a watch shows design, and implies a
  watchmaker, To credit such intricate workmanship
  to blind chance is unreasonable.  Examples of
  design in the universe are many  some examples
  include The orderly movement of heavenly bodies
  Animal instinct, such as the migration patterns
  of birds, eels, and salmon The human body
  itself, e.g., the eye or even

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• The following video is from Harvard Medical
  school, and is a video of what actually goes on
  in a cell every element is scientifically
  accurate!

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•   3.  THE "MORAL" ARGUMENT...is also called the
  "anthropological argument".  It is based upon
  reality that everywhere people have "a sense of
  ought"--That in certain circumstances, certain
  things should be done. This moral nature in man
  demands a Moral Being as the Original Cause 

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• Rom 214 For when Gentiles who do not have the
  Law do instinctively the things of the Law,
  these, not having the Law, are a law to
  themselves,
• Rom 215 in that they show the work of the Law
  written in their hearts, their conscience bearing
  witness and their thoughts alternately accusing
  or else defending them,
• Rom 216 on the day when, according to my
  gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through
  Christ Jesus.

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•   4.  THE "ESTHETICAL" ARGUMENT...is based upon
  the presence of beauty and sublimity in the
  universe.  It observes that you have both the
  presence of beauty in nature itself, and in art
  produced by man and the response of man to such
  beauty.  Were both the result of blind chance or
  did it come from a Supreme Being, who is not
  only Intelligent (an argument from design),
  Moral (an argument from our sense of ought), but
  also Artistic (an argument from beauty and our
  sense of it)? cf. Ps 964-6 

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• Rom 118 For the wrath of God is revealed from
  heaven against all ungodliness and
  unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in
  unrighteousness,
• Rom 119 because that which is known about God
  is evident within them for God made it evident
  to them.
• Rom 120 For since the creation of the world His
  invisible attributes, His eternal power and
  divine nature, have been clearly seen, being
  understood through what has been made, so that
  they are without excuse.

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Gods revelation of Himself

• Beauty, Creation, Morality, Logic
• If God is real, then why doesnt He give us a
  clear sign?
• He has! The Bible! It is Gods Word!
• And, Jesus Christ! God became flesh!

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How do you know Christ?

• By studying His Word!
• By praying
• By good Christian fellowship
• By loving Him
• His Word is absolute Truth. If it is not
  reliable, we have nothing to base our faith on.
  Truth must originate outside of the mind of
  finite man! It must come from God!

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How about Reason Logic?

• Today, the world has thrown reason away for
  Postmodernism.
• The basis for Post modern thought is pluralism.

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What is the Bible? Absolute Truth

• There is now an attack against the Bible that is
  more philosophical than textualPluralism

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Pluralism denies absolute Truth!

• Absolute Truth is the message of the Bible!
• Truth a right understanding of God
• Pluralism saysKnowledge is no different in kind
  than opinion.
• Our agreeing together is the criteria for
  determining what is knowledge.
• Truth amounts to no more than social
  sustainability.

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1) Background of Pluralism

• It attacks Biblical Theism Belief that right
  wrong are absolute, unchanging, and are decided
  by God
• American Declaration of Independence We hold
  these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
  created equal, that they are endowed by their
  Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
  among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
  Happiness

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Modernism

• Renaissance (1300-1600) Exalt man through
  literature, art, learning, etc.
• ? Humanism human ability man toward the
  center reject external authorities
• Enlightenment (1600-1700) Push God out depend
  on human reason to discern truth
• Industrial Revolution (1700-1800) Human
  productivity advancement no need for God
• ? push God out, put man in

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• Transition (1890s-1919) Man began to test his
  wings of invention. We can create no need for
  a creator.
• Modern Era (1920-1970) TV, scientific
  advancement, entertainment, pleasure.1927
• Bell Telephone and the U.S. Department of
  Commerce conduct the first long distance use of
  television that took place between Washington
  D.C. and New York City on April 9th. Secretary of
  Commerce Herbert Hoover commented, Today we
  have, in a sense, the transmission of sight for
  the first time in the worlds history. Human
  genius has now destroyed the impediment of
  distance in a new respect, and in a manner
  hitherto unknown.

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• Age of Advancement (1980-1990) Exponential
  growth in knowledge, goods, inventions, etc.
• Post-modern (1990-?) No absolutes. Tolerance,
  Pluralism, Globalization.
• Experiential (2001-?) The only reality is what
  you experience personally. Everything else could
  be photoshoped, etc.

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Modernists foundations

• Rationality Man can understand the world
• Empiricism Knowledge only through senses
• Implications for truth
• Scientific truth became absolute
• Unobservable spiritual / moral truths became
  relative

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Postmodernism pushed it further

• Objective Truth does not exist
• Even scientific truth is true only for that
  time culture (Kuhns paradigms)
• Even words dont have original meaning (reader
  above the writer)
• ? Individuals are products of their culture
• Arbitrary beliefs shaped by cultural biases
• e.g. suicide bombers are heroes

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Encouraged by choices

• Todays society offers many choices
• Classes, career, cell phones, fast food, etc.
• You choose
• Outside world is changeable
• Outside world is doubtful
• Disdain for fixed standards absolutes
• ? leads to Pluralism

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Pluralism

• Definition of Pluralism
• Theory that there are more than one or more than
  two kinds of ultimate reality
• Varieties of ultimate truths available
• No one absolute truth
• Exercised in the form of
• Tolerance !

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2) Tolerance

• TRADITIONAL definition of Tolerate
• to recognize and respect others beliefs,
  practices, etc. without sharing them
• to bear or put up with someone or something not
  especially liked
• Values, respects, and accepts the individual
  without necessarily approving of or participating
  in his/her belief or behavior.

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NEW tolerance under pluralism

• Since pluralism says there are no absolute
  truths
• NEW tolerance states, All values, beliefs,
  lifestyles, and truth claims are equal

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3) Implications of new tolerance

• Not just Live and let live
• Now you must agree that another persons position
  is just as valid as your own
• Now you must give approval, endorsement, sincere
  support to their beliefs and behaviors
• Even some demand full participation

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By being silent we are giving our approval!

• It is time to take a stand for Truth the
  absolute Truth of Gods Word and the precepts it
  teaches!
• Rom 132 and although they know the ordinance of
  God, that those who practice such things are
  worthy of death, they not only do the same, but
  also give hearty approval to those who practice
  them.

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Dangerous Fallouts

• Consequences of doing away with absolute truth
• No progress
• cant praise bravery vs. cowardice
• Loss of hierarchy of values
• more sympathy for threatened insects species
  than for children dying of hunger
  Finnish Green Party activist

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Impact on morality justice

• Cant make moral judgments
• If there is no absolute moral standard, then one
  cannot say in a final sense that anything is
  right or wrong. Francis Schaeffer
• We must approve Hitlers actions
• ? No justice possible without truth

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4) Case against pluralism

• Pluralism demands, Tolerance for all
• But who gave that authority to pluralism?
• Is it absolutely?
• Pluralism says, Equal footing and hearing
• Then Christianity should be given a fair and
  equal hearing without being called exclusive

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Reasons for Absolutes

• Presence of universal sentiments
• Love goodness (regardless of culture)
• C. S. Lewis universal desire for something is a
  good reason to believe the existence of that
  thing
• Choices must be measured by some apriori truth
• e.g. Mathematics 22 always 4

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Emptiness of pluralism

• Discourages critical thinking
• Brainless in accepting everything blindly
• Tolerance is a virtue of a man without
  convictions G.K. Chesterton
• Cravings for an absolute moral Judge
• When injustice comes upon you
• Hunger of the heart
• Epidemic of emptiness loneliness

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Incompatibility with religions

• Many religions seem to say same things
• Be good to others
• But quite different in major doctrines
• i.e. sin, nature of God, salvation
• Law of Non-Contradiction Two contradictory
  ideas cannot both be true

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5) Uniqueness of Christ

• Historical figure (not myth)
• He claimed to be God
• Gave real evidence and proof
• Ultimate proof Resurrection
• Show your cards
• Other religious leaders did not resurrect
• ? Jesus claims to truths are validated

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Also, Jesus loving tolerance

• Loved everyone the same
• Tax collector, prostitute, leper
• Distinguishes person from behavior
• Hates the sin but loves the sinner
• People have intrinsic worth value because
  wonderfully made in image of God Gen. 1
  Psalm 139
• e.g. people are to be valued, not false belief
  systems
• Fills our need for love, justice, truth

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Eight Reasons Why It Matters What You Believe!
Building common ground with those you are trying
to reach! ( I Cor. 922)
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What You Believe Will Affect How You Live!

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!

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Beliefs Have Consequences
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Not All Religious Viewpoints Can Be Right!

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be
  right!Law of non-contradictionTwo opposing
  views can not both be right

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Can All Religious Viewpoints Be Right?

• No! Someone has to be wrong!

Either Jesus is the Messiah or He isn't. If
He isn't the Messiah, then the Christians are
wrong. If He is the Messiah, then the Jews are
wrong. So one way or another somebody's right
and somebody's wrong! Everyone can't be right at
the same time, can they? Greg Koukl, Christian
Apologist Taken from http//www.str.org
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Objective Truth Does Exist!

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!

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Biblical Objective Truth

• The Bible teaches that truth does exists
• For example
• John 146
• Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and
  the life. No one comes to the Father except
  through me.
• John 832
• Jesus said, You shall know the truth and the
  truth shall make you free.

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Truth Is Not a Matter of Your Own Perspective

• For example
• Above all you must understand that no prophecy
  of Scripture came about by the prophets own
  interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin
  in the will of man, but men spoke from God as
  they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Pet. 1 20-21

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A Truth Statement Matches Its Object

• Satan is called a liar because his statement to
  Eve, You will surely not die in Gen. 34 did
  not correspond to what God really said, namely
  you shall surely die (Gen. 217).
• Dr. Norman Geisler

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Truth is That Which Corresponds to Reality

• Jesus states in John 146 that he is the only
  way to God.
• This is a true statement because it corresponds
  to reality and was verified by His conquering
  death in His resurrection.

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• A right understanding of God (Truth) leads to a
  right relationship with God through Jesus Christ
  (Truth).JesusTruthThe Word of
  GodUnderstandingLogosIntelligence
• This produces reverence for God
• Wisdom begins with the fear(reverence) of God!
• Proverbs 910 The fear of the LORD is the
  beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the
  Holy One is understanding.

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Why is Truth so Important?

• If truth and reasonableness are not uppermost
  in our presentation of the truth to a pagan
  culture, already predisposed to regarding
  religion as a set of private feelings, then we
  will constantly hear this response. Well thats
  fine if having those feelings helps you.
• Love God with all your Mind
• J.P. Moreland P. 30

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Truth is not based on feelings!

• Truth is based on evidence
• Evidence is logical and rational
• Emotions are unreliable and often times wicked
• Jer 179 "The heart is more deceitful than all
  else And is desperately sick Who can understand
  it?

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Truth is not based on feelings!

• Truth is based on evidence
• Evidence is logical and rational
• Emotions are unreliable and often times wicked
• Jer 179 "The heart is more deceitful than all
  else And is desperately sick Who can understand
  it?

Strongs heart - A form of H3824 the heart
also used (figuratively) very widely for the
feelings
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Faith Must Have an Object to Have Merit!

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!
• 4. Faith must have an object to have merit!

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Christian Faith

• Christianity is based on a historical event.
• If the resurrection did not occur our faith is in
  vain.
• I Cor. 1514

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Not All Religious Leaders Made Equal Claims!

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!
• 4. Faith must have an object to have merit!
• 5. Not all religious leaders made equal claims!

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Jesus Unique Claims

• Jesus made unique claims compared to any other
  major religious leaders
• John 1030
• Jn. 146
• I Tim. 25
• Acts 412

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Proof of Christs Claims Have No Parallel

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!
• 4. Faith must have an object to have merit!
• 5. Not all religious leaders made equal claims!
• 6. The proof of Christs claims have no parallel
  among major religious leaders! (I Cor. 153-6)

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No Comparison!

• Comparing Christianity and other religions is
  not like comparing apples with apples!

Other Religions
Christianity
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Jesus Christ Has No Peers!

• Buddha pointed to the way, Muhammad claimed to
  be a prophet of God,
• but Jesus Christ is the only major religious
  leader that ever claimed to be God, who fulfilled
  prophecy, lived a sinless life, and then died on
  the cross and rose from the dead.

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If Christianity Is True, It Makes an Eternal
Difference

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!
• 4. Faith must have an object to have merit!
• 5. Not all religious leaders made equal claims!
• 6. The proof of Christs claims have no parallel
  among major religious leaders!
• 7. If Christianity is true, it makes an eternal
  difference!

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Eternal Consequences

• Jesus said, And if your right hand makes you
  stumble, cut it off, and throw it from you for
  it is better for you that one of the parts of
  your body perish, than for your whole body to go
  into hell.
• Matt. 530

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No Meaning in Life Apart From God

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!
• 4. Faith must have an object to have merit!
• 5. Not all religious leaders made equal claims!
• 6. The proof of Christs claims have no parallel
  among major religious leaders!
• 7. If Christianity is true, it makes an eternal
  difference!
• 8. Some people who dont believe in God find it
  difficult to find meaning in life.

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Finding Ultimate Meaning

• My mother committed suicide three years ago,
  and I dont believe in God and Christianity but I
  realize that if there is no God, there is no
  ultimate meaning and purpose to my life and I am
  not willing to accept that yet.
• U.T. Student

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Why Bother?
Why go the extra mile?

• The Apostle Paul said, I have become all things
  to all men so that by all means I may save some.
• I Cor. 922

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to
gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot, martyred
missionary to the Auca Indians in 1956
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Eight Reasons Why It Matters What You Believe!

• 1. What you believe will affect how you live!
• 2. Not all religious viewpoints can be right!
• 3. Objective Truth does exist!
• 4. Faith must have an object to have merit!
• 5. Not all religious leaders made equal claims!
• 6. The proof of Christs claims have no parallel
  among major religious leaders!
• 7. If Christianity is true, it makes an eternal
  difference!
• 8. Some people who dont believe in God find it
  difficult to find meaning in life.

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It Matters What You Believe!
Building common ground with those you are trying
to reach! ( I Cor. 922)
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We must stand for truth..

• Even if we stand alone
• Even when it is not politically correct
• Even when denomination refuse to do so
• The Bible is our sole source for faith and
  practice!

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Jesus said

• I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man
  comes to the Father but by Me.
• John 146

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Lets proclaim the Truth!

• How do we start a revolution?
• A revolution to bring the Church back to Biblical
  Truth.
• By doing Inductive Bible Study!This is our
  task. There is only one Truth.Next week
  Proof the Bible is reliable

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Next weekBibliology