Part 1: Power Point Show MP3 audio

Scripture Reading: John 18:33-38

Postmodernism: The Death of Absolute Truth? (1)

Intro.

1. Jno 18:37-38: Pilate didn’t believe in absolute truth; he believed in political objectives and realities. He skeptically said, “What is truth?” In contrast, Jesus bore witness to the truth and said the word of God is truth, Jno 17:17. Do we believe Pilate or Jesus?

2. “Postmodernism is difficult to define, because to define it would violate the postmodernist’s premise that no definite terms, boundaries, or absolute truths exist.” (Postmodernism: What is Truth?, http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/postmodernism.htm)

-In this postmodern world truth is now being defined by the person’s experiences, consciousness and desires. (Prov 14:12)

3. Prov 2:1-9 praises the value of wisdom and knowledge.
a. But, “Fools hate knowledge” (Prov 1:22).
b. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph 5:17)

I. THE TRUTH OF GOD ABSOLUTELY EXISTS. (Truth is not relative; it is self-sufficient, complete and free of imperfection.)

-Indiana Jones: “Archaeology is the search for fact…not truth. If it’s truth you’re looking for, Dr. Tyree’s philosophy class is right down the hall.”

-Philosophies of men only offer opinions, not truth, Col 2:8 (2-3).
A. Truth is Absolutely Revealed by God, Eph 3:3-5; Jude 3.

-Revealed in Jesus Christ, Jno 1:1-3, 14, 17; 14:6.

B. Truth is Absolutely Inspired by God, Jno 17:17 (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21).
C. Truth is Absolutely Understandable, Deut 30:11-15 (Rom 10:6-8); Eph 5:17; Jno 8:31-32; 1 Jno 2:21.
D. Truth can and must be Absolutely Obeyed, 1 Pet 1:22-23; Phil 2:12; Matt 7:21 (1 Tim 4:6 -- 1, 3, 5).

II. ABSOLUTE TRUTH IS STILL AVAILABLE, BUT MEN DISTORT IT AND REJECT IT THROUGH UNBELIEF.

A. Absolute Truth about God.

1. The nature of God, Psa 90:2; Acts 17:29 (eternal, all powerful).

2. The nature of Jesus, Jno 1:1-3; 8:58; Col 2:9; Heb 1:3.

3. The nature of the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:4.

-Turned into lies by faithless men, Rom 1:21-23; 1 Jno 2:21-23.

B. Absolute Truth about the Word of God.

1. Inspired of God, 2 Tim 3:16.

2. Verbally inspired, 2 Pet 1:20-21; 1 Cor 2:9-13 (Acts 1:16); 1 Ths 2:13.

3. Complete, Jno 16:13; Jude 3.

4. Incorruptible, 1 Pet 1:23-24 (Matt 24:35).

5. Relevant (living and powerful to save), Heb 4:12 (Rom 1:16); Jno 17:17.

C. Absolute Truth about Human Beings.

1. The nature of man, Gen 1:26-27; 2:7.

2. The sin of man, Rom 3:23; 5:12; Ezek 18:20; Eph. 2:1-3.

a. Reality of sin, Rom 3:23; 5:12 (1 Jno 3:4; 5:17; Jas 4:17; Rom 14:23).

b. Effects of sin, Isa 59:1-2; Gen 2:16-17; 3:7, 10-11, 16-19.

c. Responsibility, Ezek 18:20; Eccl 12:13-14.

3. How to be saved from sin, Jno 6:44-45; Rom 10:9-10; Mk 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38, 41.

D. Absolute Truth about Worshiping God, Jno 4:20-24 (Acts 17:22-23). True worship: Music, LS, men lead (not women).

E. Absolute Truth about the Church, Eph 1:22-23; 4:4, 5:23.

1. Our organization in local churches, Acts 14:23.

2. Our work of edification, evangelism and limited benevolence.

3. Divine pattern of truth to follow (Heb 8:5); 2 Tim 1:13.

F. Absolute Truth on Moral Issues. Examples include…

1. Modest clothing, 1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4.

2. Dancing, 1 Pet 4:3; 1 Jno 2:16.

3. Social drinking, 1 Pet 4:3.

4. Marriage, divorce and remarriage, Matt 19:4-6, 9.

5. Homosexuality, Rom 1:24-27.

Conclusion

1. The devil has convinced the world there is no absolute truth, Jno 8:43-47.

2. Worldly men and women are convincing Christians to compromise their conviction that truth is absolute.

3. In Christ we have the “full assurance of understanding”, Col 2:2.

4. It is to the criticism of the “full assurance of understanding” that our study will take us in Part 2.