twelve points that show christianity is true 1. truth about reality is knowable. 2. the opposite of...

Twelve Points that Show Christianity is TrueTwelve Points that Show Christianity is True1. 1. Truth about reality is knowable.Truth about reality is knowable.2. The opposite of true is false.2. The opposite of true is false.3. It is true that the theistic God exists.3. It is true that the theistic God exists.4. If God exists then miracles are possible.4. If God exists then miracles are possible.5. Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God.5. Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God.6. The New Testament is historically reliable.6. The New Testament is historically reliable.7. The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God.7. The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God.8. Jesus’ claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by:8. Jesus’ claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by: a. His fulfillment of many prophecies about Himself;a. His fulfillment of many prophecies about Himself; b. His sinless and miraculous life;b. His sinless and miraculous life; c. His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrectionc. His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrection9. Therefore, Jesus is God.9. Therefore, Jesus is God.10. Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true.10. Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true.11. Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God.11. Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God.12. Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God (and 12. Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God (and

anything opposed to it is false).anything opposed to it is false).

TRUTHTRUTHAbsolute or Absolute or Relative?Relative?

Copyright Norman Geisler 2010Copyright Norman Geisler 2010

Christianity Christianity AffirmsAffirms


The Culture AffirmsThe Culture AffirmsThe Culture AffirmsThe Culture Affirms

The Problem of TruthThe Problem of Truth


Truth Can be KnownTruth Can be Known



The Culture AffirmsThe Culture AffirmsTruth Can’t be KnownTruth Can’t be Known





Truth is AbsoluteTruth is Absolute





Truth is RelativeTruth is Relative







Not Every View is TrueNot Every View is True







Every View is True Every View is True









Christ is the Only WayChrist is the Only Way





Christ is the Only WayChrist is the Only Way




Christ isn’t the Only WayChrist isn’t the Only Way




Christ isn’t the Only WayChrist isn’t the Only Way


Various Views Denying Various Views Denying TruthTruth

I.I. Relativism—denies absolute truthRelativism—denies absolute truthII.II. Agnosticism—denies all truthAgnosticism—denies all truthIII.III. Skepticism—doubts all truthSkepticism—doubts all truthIV.IV.Post-Modernism—affirms no truthPost-Modernism—affirms no truthV.V. Pluralism—affirms all `truths’ Pluralism—affirms all `truths’

(even opposites)(even opposites)

Relativism: All Truth is Relativism: All Truth is Relative Relative

(No absolute truth is (No absolute truth is knowable)knowable)Alfred. N. Alfred. N.

WhiteheadWhiteheadI.I. Reality has no Reality has no

unchanging unchanging forms.forms.

II.II. All truth is in All truth is in process and is process and is never final.never final.

III.III. All truth is All truth is relative and relative and changing.changing.

A Response to A Response to RelativismRelativism

Relativism fails to deny absolutism because:Relativism fails to deny absolutism because:It either affirms that relativism is It either affirms that relativism is absolutely true (which is self-defeating).absolutely true (which is self-defeating).

Or else its claim is just another relative Or else its claim is just another relative statement (and hence is unsuccessful). statement (and hence is unsuccessful).

NoteNote:: The Progress of truth can’t be measured The Progress of truth can’t be measured unless there is an absolute standard of unless there is an absolute standard of truth by which to measure it.truth by which to measure it.

Agnosticism: Reality is Agnosticism: Reality is UnknowableUnknowable

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)I.I. Emmanuel KantEmmanuel Kant I.I. He affirmed we can not He affirmed we can not know truth about know truth about reality.reality.

II.II. We can only know We can only know appearance, not reality.appearance, not reality.

III.III. We can not know the We can not know the thing thing in itselfin itself, only the , only the thing thing to us.to us.

IV.IV. We must remain We must remain agnostic. agnostic.

A Response to A Response to AgnosticismAgnosticism

I.I. Agnosticism Fails becauseAgnosticism Fails because::

It is either self-defeating (by It is either self-defeating (by claiming to claiming to know the truth that know the truth that we cannot know we cannot know any truth).any truth).

Or else, it begs the issue by claiming Or else, it begs the issue by claiming it it knows the only truth that can knows the only truth that can be be known (which is known (which is dogmatism).dogmatism).

Skepticism: Doubt all Truth Skepticism: Doubt all Truth ClaimsClaims

I.I. David Hume (d. 1776) David Hume (d. 1776)We should doubt We should doubt

everything about everything about reality.reality.

We can only know We can only know sense data.sense data.

We should suspend We should suspend judgment on all judgment on all truth claims about truth claims about reality.reality.

The Skeptic David Hume The Skeptic David Hume Said:Said:

I.I. ““We only know We only know things true by things true by definition or from definition or from sense experience.”sense experience.”

II.II. But this statement is But this statement is from neither of from neither of these.these.

III.III. Hence, it is Hence, it is unknowable.unknowable.

I.I. ““We only know We only know things true by things true by definition or from definition or from sense experience.”sense experience.”

II.II. But this statement is But this statement is from neither of from neither of these.these.

III.III. Hence, it is Hence, it is unknowable.unknowable.

A Response to A Response to SkepticismSkepticism

I.I. Skepticism Fails Because:Skepticism Fails Because:

Either it is self-defeating (by Either it is self-defeating (by claiming we claiming we should doubt should doubt everything including everything including skepticism).skepticism).

Or, it begs the question by claiming Or, it begs the question by claiming skepticism is the only skepticism is the only

view that should not be doubted.view that should not be doubted.

Post-Modernism: Post-Modernism: Deconstruct Truth ClaimsDeconstruct Truth Claims

I.I. Jacque Derrida Jacque Derrida I.I. We must We must deconstruct all truth deconstruct all truth claims.claims.

II.II. We can reconstruct We can reconstruct as many views as as many views as possible.possible.

III.III. No reconstruction is No reconstruction is objectively true; it objectively true; it is merely new.is merely new.

A Response to Post-A Response to Post-ModernismModernism

I.I. Post-Modernism Fails Because:Post-Modernism Fails Because:

Either it makes a claim that it is true Either it makes a claim that it is true (and is thereby self-defeating).(and is thereby self-defeating).

Or else it makes no truth claim (and is not Or else it makes no truth claim (and is not even in the “ball game” of truth.even in the “ball game” of truth.

Ignoring the facts and truth does not make Ignoring the facts and truth does not make them go away!them go away!

Failing to raise the question of truth does Failing to raise the question of truth does not make the question disappearnot make the question disappear. .

Comparing Various Comparing Various ViewsViews

I.I. RelativismRelativism—Denies absolute truth (by not using its —Denies absolute truth (by not using its head)head)

II.II. AgnosticismAgnosticism—Denies all truth (by isolating its head)—Denies all truth (by isolating its head)III.III. SkepticismSkepticism—Doubts all truth (by shaking it head)—Doubts all truth (by shaking it head)IV.IV. Post-ModernismPost-Modernism—Ignores all truth (by turning its —Ignores all truth (by turning its

head) head) V.V. PluralismPluralism—Affirms all truth (by nodding its head)—Affirms all truth (by nodding its head)

I.I. But the facts are still there!But the facts are still there!II.II. And either our views correspond to them or And either our views correspond to them or

they do not (whether we express them or they do not (whether we express them or not).not).

TRUTHTRUTHAbsolute or Absolute or Relative?Relative?

Truth: Absolute or Truth: Absolute or Relative?Relative?

I.I. What is Truth?What is Truth?

II.II. A Defense of Absolute TruthA Defense of Absolute Truth

III.III. Serious Problems with Serious Problems with RelativismRelativism

IV.IV. Answering Some ObjectionsAnswering Some Objections

I.I. What is What is Truth?Truth?

A.A.The Nature of TruthThe Nature of Truth

B.B.What Truth is NOTWhat Truth is NOT

C.C.What Truth ISWhat Truth IS

D.D.What Absolute Truth IsWhat Absolute Truth Is

I.I. What is Truth?What is Truth?Pilate’s age-old Pilate’s age-old question rings question rings through the through the

centuries and centuries and millennia, and millennia, and represents one represents one of man’s most of man’s most basic quests.basic quests.

““What IS What IS Truth?”Truth?”

The Nature of TruthThe Nature of Truth

Truth can be Truth can be understoounderstood both d both from what from what it it isis and and from what from what it is it is notnot..

There are There are manymany views views of truth, of truth, and some and some believe believe there is there is nono truth at all.truth at all.

The Nature of TruthThe Nature of Truth

The Agnostic:The Agnostic:

We can’t We can’t knowknow anything.anything.

The Problem:The Problem:

How can he How can he knowknow that? that?

What Truth is NOTWhat Truth is NOT

The The naturenature of truthof truth

(its definition) (its definition)

is often confused with is often confused with certain certain teststests for truth for truth

(its defense).(its defense).

Truth is Truth is notnot ‘what ‘what works.’works.’

Simply because Simply because something something ‘works’ ‘works’ doesn’t doesn’t make it true make it true (e.g., lies) (e.g., lies)


Finally convicted on Finally convicted on Apr. 2, 1992 of crimes Apr. 2, 1992 of crimes that included murder, that included murder, extortion, and extortion, and obstruction of justice, obstruction of justice, John Gotti, the John Gotti, the infamous infamous Teflon DonTeflon Don had previously been had previously been acquitted in 3 trials acquitted in 3 trials by by manipulating ‘truth’ in manipulating ‘truth’ in the courtroom. the courtroom.


John Gotti, The Teflon John Gotti, The Teflon DonDon

Truth is Truth is notnot what is what is ‘cohesive ‘cohesive or or internally internally consistent.’consistent.’

Lies can be Lies can be internally internally consistentconsistent, but they , but they are false.are false.


Although a chain Although a chain and a web and a web are cohesive, are cohesive, they cannot they cannot hang in hang in ‘empty ‘empty space.’ They space.’ They must be must be anchored to anchored to something.something.


Truth is Truth is notnot what what is is ‘comprehensiv‘comprehensive.’e.’ One can have a One can have a

‘comprehensive’ view ‘comprehensive’ view of of falsityfalsity or an or an incomplete view of incomplete view of truthtruth..


Nazism is a Nazism is a comprehensive comprehensive governmental governmental system and system and

fascist fascist philosophy is philosophy is

still alive still alive today.…today.…


But But

IS ITIS IT

TRUE?TRUE?

Truth is Truth is notnot what ‘feels what ‘feels good.’good.’

What ‘feels What ‘feels good’ to one good’ to one may ‘feel may ‘feel bad’ to bad’ to another.another.


Truth can produce bad feelings;Truth can produce bad feelings;

Error can produce good Error can produce good feelingsfeelings

A bad report A bad report card may card may feel bad, feel bad, but it but it represents represents the truth.the truth.


FF

What Truth ISWhat Truth IS A true statement matches its objectA true statement matches its object

I.I. ““This object is a table.”This object is a table.”

What Truth ISWhat Truth ISTruth is:Truth is:

1.1. That which corresponds That which corresponds to the factsto the facts

2.2. What matches its objectWhat matches its object

3.3. Telling it like it is.Telling it like it is.

Even those who deny this Even those who deny this assume their view assume their view corresponds to reality!corresponds to reality!

Lessons from Winnie the Lessons from Winnie the PoohPooh

Truth corresponds to the Truth corresponds to the factsfacts

Winnie called out: Winnie called out: "Is "Is anybody at home?"anybody at home?""Nobody!""Nobody!" said a voice. said a voice.

Winnie pondered: Winnie pondered: "There "There must be somebody there, must be somebody there, otherwise he could not otherwise he could not have said 'Nobody’ is have said 'Nobody’ is there."there."

Truth is telling it like it Truth is telling it like it is.is.

““Why, what’s happened Why, what’s happened to your tail?”to your tail?” Pooh Pooh said in surprise.said in surprise.

““What has happened to What has happened to it?”it?” said Eeyore. said Eeyore.

““It isn’t there!”It isn’t there!”

““Are you sure?”Are you sure?”

““Well, either a tail is Well, either a tail is there or it isn’t there or it isn’t there. And yours there. And yours isn’t there!”isn’t there!”

Definition of Relative Definition of Relative TruthTruth

Relative Truth is:Relative Truth is:Something trueSomething true

For SOME people,For SOME people,

not for ALL peoplenot for ALL people

Or in SOME places, Or in SOME places,

not ALL placesnot ALL places

or at SOME times, or at SOME times,

not at ALL times not at ALL times

Definition of Absolute Definition of Absolute TruthTruth

Absolute Truth is:Absolute Truth is:

Something trueSomething true

For ALL peopleFor ALL people

in ALL placesin ALL places

and at ALL timesand at ALL times





IV.IV. Answering Some Objections Answering Some Objections

II.II. A Defense of Absolute A Defense of Absolute TruthTruth

A.A. True only for some people?True only for some people?

B.B. True only in some places?True only in some places?

C.C. True only at some times?True only at some times?

True only in some places?True only in some places?

It is true It is true everywhereeverywhere that it that it is cold at the North is cold at the North

Pole and hot in Pole and hot in Egypt.Egypt.

Different geographical Different geographical conditions do not conditions do not change the truth.change the truth.

True Only at Some Times?True Only at Some Times?

Was the worldWas the world

once square?once square?

No! No!

It was always It was always round. Truth round. Truth didn’t change; didn’t change; our views did!our views did!

True Only for Some True Only for Some People?People?

That the one on the left is That the one on the left is cold, and the one on the cold, and the one on the

right is hot is true for right is hot is true for everyone, everywhere.everyone, everywhere.

Serious Problems with Serious Problems with RelativismRelativism

Like an old apple, Like an old apple, relativism may relativism may

looklook good on the good on the surface, but it is surface, but it is

rottenrotten at the at the core!core!

Serious Problems with Serious Problems with Relativism Relativism

I.I. They can’t to be absolutely They can’t to be absolutely certain of relativismcertain of relativism

Serious Problems with Serious Problems with RelativismRelativism


II.II. The world would be full of The world would be full of contradictionscontradictions

• Serious Problems with Serious Problems with RelativismRelativism


II.II. The world would be full of The world would be full of contradictionscontradictions

III.III. No one would ever be wrong No one would ever be wrong about anythingabout anything

I. They can’t be I. They can’t be absolutely certain of absolutely certain of

relativismrelativismRelativists believe that truth is relative for Relativists believe that truth is relative for

EVERYONE.EVERYONE.

But if it’s true for EVERYONE, then it is no But if it’s true for EVERYONE, then it is no longer a RELATIVE truth, but an longer a RELATIVE truth, but an ABSOLUTE truth.ABSOLUTE truth.

The Relativist who thinks Relativism is true The Relativist who thinks Relativism is true for everyone is for everyone is reallyreally an Absolutist. an Absolutist.

Relativism is self-defeating.Relativism is self-defeating.


relativismrelativismIf all truth is relative, then a relative If all truth is relative, then a relative

truth can only be truth can only be relativelyrelatively true for an individual. true for an individual.

In other words, a relativist cannot In other words, a relativist cannot even trust his even trust his ownown truth, truth, because it, because it, tootoo, is relative!, is relative!



RelativismRelativismIf all truth is only relatively true, If all truth is only relatively true,

and this applies to everyone, and this applies to everyone, then relativism may be then relativism may be falsefalse for for me. me.

Why then should I accept it as true?Why then should I accept it as true?


II. The world would be full of II. The world would be full of contradictionscontradictions

If something is true for If something is true for me but false for you, me but false for you,

then opposite then opposite conditions exist.conditions exist.

But, THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE!But, THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE!


““There’s milk There’s milk in the frig.”in the frig.”

“ “There is There is NOT milk NOT milk

in the in the frig.”frig.”


They can’t They can’t

BOTH BOTH

be true!be true!Rev. Billy Graham – Rev. Billy Graham – God Exists!God Exists!

Madalyn O’Hair – Madalyn O’Hair – God Does NOT God Does NOT

Exist!Exist!

III. No one would ever be III. No one would ever be wrong about anythingwrong about anything

If truth is always relative, then I can never be wrong. If someone claims I’m wrong, then I can just say, it’s wrong for THEM

not for ME.

III. No one would ever be III. No one would ever be wrong about anythingwrong about anything

If I can never be wrong, then I can

never learn anything, for

learning is moving from a false belief

to a true one.

Absolute Evidence for Absolute Evidence for Absolute TruthAbsolute Truth

A.A. Objection:Objection:

We don’t have absolute truth We don’t have absolute truth since:since:

We don’t know things We don’t know things absolutely;absolutely;

We have only probabilitiesWe have only probabilities

No Absolute Evidence for No Absolute Evidence for Absolute TruthAbsolute Truth

A.A. Response:Response:We can be absolutely sure of some things:We can be absolutely sure of some things:

1.1. I exist because I can’t deny I exist, unless I I exist because I can’t deny I exist, unless I exist to deny it.exist to deny it.

2.2. I cannot exist and not exist I cannot exist and not exist simultaneously.simultaneously.

3.3. There are no square circles, circular There are no square circles, circular triangles, etc.triangles, etc.

4.4. 3+2=5; a triangle has 3 sides, etc.3+2=5; a triangle has 3 sides, etc.

There is no Absolute There is no Absolute Evidence for Absolute TruthEvidence for Absolute TruthA.A. Response:Response:Something can be Something can be

absolutely trueabsolutely true even if we do not even if we do not have have absolute absolute evidenceevidence for it. for it.

Remember ‘flat Remember ‘flat earth’?earth’?

No Absolute Evidence for No Absolute Evidence for Absolute TruthAbsolute Truth

A.A. Response:Response:Evidence, or the Evidence, or the lacklack

of evidence, of evidence, does does not changenot change a a fact.fact.

The truth The truth doesn’t doesn’t changechange just just because we have because we have more or less more or less evidence for it!evidence for it!

Relative ComparisonsRelative Comparisons

B.B. Objection:Objection:Comparisons between things are Comparisons between things are

an examples of relative truths, an examples of relative truths, because they change because they change depending on what objects are depending on what objects are being compared.being compared.

For example, short and tall, For example, short and tall, warmer and colder, better or warmer and colder, better or worse….worse….

B.B. Response:Response:That “Wilt That “Wilt

Chamberlain is Chamberlain is taller compared to taller compared to Willie Shoemaker” Willie Shoemaker” will always be will always be true everywhere true everywhere and all the time. and all the time.

The same thing is The same thing is true of all other true of all other comparisons.comparisons.

Relative ComparisonsRelative Comparisons

Can there be New Absolute Can there be New Absolute Truth?Truth?

C.C. Objection:Objection:

If truth never changes, then If truth never changes, then there can never be new there can never be new truths.truths.

But, we DO find new truths, in But, we DO find new truths, in science and in history.science and in history.

Can there be New Absolute Can there be New Absolute Truth?Truth?

C.C. Response:Response:

There are two types of new There are two types of new truth:truth:

1.1. New ‘to us’New ‘to us’

2.2. New ‘in time’New ‘in time’

Let’s look at both.Let’s look at both.

Can there be New Truth?Can there be New Truth?

1.1. New ‘to us’--New ‘to us’--

The Law of The Law of Gravity Gravity existed long existed long before before Newton Newton discovered it.discovered it.

Can there be New Truth?Can there be New Truth?

2.2. New ‘in time’--New ‘in time’--

New truths New truths

come into come into

existence as existence as

time passes. time passes.

On 1/20/01 G. W. Bush became On 1/20/01 G. W. Bush became president. Before that it was not truepresident. Before that it was not true

After that it is true for everyone After that it is true for everyone

Does Truth Change As We Does Truth Change As We Grow?Grow?

A.A. Objection: Objection:

Truth is not absolute because we Truth is not absolute because we grow in truth. What is true grow in truth. What is true today may be false tomorrow.today may be false tomorrow.

The progress of science is proof The progress of science is proof that truth is constantly that truth is constantly changing.changing.


B.B. ResponseResponse

This objection fails to recognize This objection fails to recognize that it is our that it is our understandingunderstanding of the truth that changes, not of the truth that changes, not the truth the truth itselfitself..

We change from error to truth, We change from error to truth,

But truth does not change.But truth does not change.


Remember the Remember the theory of theory of Spontaneous Spontaneous Generation?Generation?

Jan Baptista van Helmont’s recipe for mice: a dirty rag, an open pot of wheat, and 21 days.

Absolute Truth is too Absolute Truth is too NarrowNarrow

B.B. Response: Response:

Truth is by its very Truth is by its very naturenature narrow. narrow.

It wouldn't be truth if it were not!It wouldn't be truth if it were not!

4+4=8 and ONLY 8! 4+4=8 and ONLY 8! (not 7, 9, 10, etc.)(not 7, 9, 10, etc.)

That’s narrow, but it’s TRUE.That’s narrow, but it’s TRUE.


B.B. Response: Response:

Christians and non-Christians who Christians and non-Christians who claim that their view is true are claim that their view is true are BOTH equally narrow.BOTH equally narrow.

That’s the way truth IS.That’s the way truth IS.

Christianity is no more narrow than Christianity is no more narrow than anything else that claims to be anything else that claims to be true true (atheism, pantheism, skepticism, (atheism, pantheism, skepticism, etc.).etc.).


C.C. Examples: Examples:1. If A is true, then all non-A is false.1. If A is true, then all non-A is false.2. If P is true, then all non-P is false.2. If P is true, then all non-P is false.3. If C is true, then all non-C is false.3. If C is true, then all non-C is false.

All these views are equally narrow!All these views are equally narrow!A—AtheismA—AtheismP—PantheismP—PantheismC--ChristianityC--Christianity

Absolute Truth is DogmaticAbsolute Truth is Dogmatic

A.A. Objection:Objection:

Absolute truth is too dogmatic.Absolute truth is too dogmatic.

It claims to be the ONLY truth on It claims to be the ONLY truth on the matter!the matter!

Absolute Truth is DogmaticAbsolute Truth is Dogmatic B.B. Response: Response:

An important difference:An important difference:

All truth All truth claimsclaims are dogmaticare dogmatic

But not all truth-But not all truth-claimersclaimers are are dogmaticdogmatic

Even a relativist can be dogmatic Even a relativist can be dogmatic about his relativism.about his relativism.

Absolute Truth is DogmaticAbsolute Truth is DogmaticB.B. Response: Response:

It is important to understand that: It is important to understand that:

The The truthtruth itself is different from-- itself is different from--

The The mannermanner in which it is conveyed in which it is conveyed

It is important to remember that:It is important to remember that:

Truth is truth, even if it is held in the Truth is truth, even if it is held in the wrong manner (viz., dogmatically). wrong manner (viz., dogmatically).

Error is error, even if it is held in the Error is error, even if it is held in the right manner (viz., humbly). right manner (viz., humbly).

All truth is absolute, even the All truth is absolute, even the claim to be for relative truth.claim to be for relative truth.

TruthTruth does not change, but our does not change, but our understandingunderstanding of it does. of it does.

Hence, truth is dogmatic, but we Hence, truth is dogmatic, but we should be humble about it.should be humble about it.

The Truth About The Truth About TruthTruth

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