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http://impact360institute.org

EXPLORE TRUTH

Published by Impact 360 Institute, Inc

All rights reserved.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. This publication is designed and produced for use as a companion study help to be used in conjunction with the purchased digital online course. This publication is not to be reproduced for resale or used in other manner than its intended use. This publication may be reprinted in small quantities for individual or small study group use. Requests for permission are required for large reproduction quantities.

“Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bi-ble®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman FoundationUsed by permission.” (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Ver-sion®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trade-mark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

“Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Scripture quotations marked HCSB®, are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SESSION 1Introduction: Whatever Happened to Truth?

SESSION 2What is Truth?

SESSION 3How Moral Relativism Hurts Everyone

SESSION 4Is Jesus Really the Only Way to God?

SESSION 5The Tyranny of Tolerance

SESSION 6How to Talk About Truth

SESSION 7Why Truth Matters

1

5

9

12

15

19

22

How should Christians learn to move and breath in today’s cultural climate?

Drawing close to Christ

Applying our minds to truth

Whatever Happened to Truth? PAGE 11

“‘Truthiness” is what I say is right and nothing anyone else says could possibly be true.’ It’s not only that I feel it to be true, but

that I feel it to be true.” –Stephen Colbert

57%“57% of Evangelical adults agreed

with the statement: ‘Many religions can lead to eternal life.’”

-Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life

SESSION 1Introduction: Whatever Happened to Truth?

SUMMARy:


What happened to truth in our culture today?

Overemphasizing feelings

Confusing freedom with ultimate personal autonomy.

The Fact/Value Split


CONSIdERATION:What truth-undermining slogans have you fallen prey to believing and using?

WHAT NOW?Have you fallen to prey to the common cultural mistake of believing that truth is relative? What steps can you take today to ensure that you correct this thinking?

1 Half of the people you interact with think truth is relative.

2 The Fact/Value split is assumed in our culture.

3 Relativism is driven by overemphasis on feelings, misunderstanding of freedom.

SUMMARy


When you think about knowledge, do you think in terms of a false fact/value split? How do you need to correct the assumptions of the lower and upper story type of thinking?

In what ways do you need to emphasize thinking to balance out your emphasis on feelings? What would this look like?

How does your understanding of freedom need to be corrected by the classical definition?

SESSION 2What is Truth?

What is Truth? PAGE 52

“If truth itself is lost, then there is little point in straightforwardly arguing for the truth of falsity

of particular claims.” –Dallas Willard

Two different kinds of claims:

Subjective claims are about personal preferences and tastes.

Objective claims are about objects. This means, it is not dependent on what anyone believes, thinks, or agrees on.


Truth is not determined by what works.

Truth is not determined by how you feel.

Truth is what corresponds to reality. Truth is telling it like it is. Truth is discovered not created.

Objective claims are about reality as it is ‘out there’.

What is truth?

The essence of truth is reality. Truth is what is really real.” –Del Tackett


WHAT NOW?What objective truths do you need to move out of the subjective category in your worldview?

CONSIdERATION:Have you miscategorized any truth claims? How have these affected your life and the way you view important issues?

1 Two kinds of truth claims: subjective and objective.

2 Subjective truth: my personal tastes, preferences, opinions.

3 Objective truth: reality as it is ‘out there.’

4 Truth connects us to reality, like hitting a target.

5 Truth is NOT determined by how we feel or what works.

6 Truth deals with all of reality, including moral and spiritual claims.

SUMMARy


Try giving Brett Kunkle’s Truth Test to your family and friends. Teach them what you’ve learned in this session of Explore Truth.

SESSION 3How Moral Relativism Hurts Everyone

Moral Relativism (n): “the doctrine that the moral rightness and wrongness of actions varies from society to society and that

there are no absolute moral standards binding on all men at all times. Accordingly, it holds that whether or not it is right for an individual to act in a certain way depends on or is relative to the society to

which he belongs.” –dr. John Ladd

Five Reasons Moral Relativism fails the Reality Test:

1 Relativism is self-refuting.

2 Relativism eliminates the possibility of moral reform.

3 Relativism eliminates the possibility of moral progress.

4 Relativism removes our ability to praise good and condemn evil.

5 Relativism is unlivable.

How Moral Relativism Hurts Everyone PAGE 93

Objections:

Objection 1: Science alone offers true knowledge of reality.

Objection 2: You shouldn’t push your morality on others.

Objection 3: Morality must be relative because so many people disagree.



WHAT NOW?How has moral relativism impacted your life directly? What have the consequences of moral relativism been in your life and relationships?

CONSIdERATION:How have you seen relativism hurt people in our culture today? What have the consequences been?

SUMMARy

Five Reasons Moral Relativism fails the Reality Test:

Subjective claims are about personal preferences and tastes.

Objective claims are about objects. This means, it is not dependent on what any

1 Relativism is self-refuting.

2 Relativism eliminates the possibility of moral reform.

3 Relativism eliminates the possibility of moral progress.

4 Relativism removes our ability to praise good and condemn evil.

5 Relativism is unlivable.

Is Jesus Really the Way to God? PAGE 124

SESSION 4Is Jesus Really the Way to God?

54% 54% of conservative protestant teens believe that there is more than one way to God. –Christian Smith, Soul Searching

Slogans:

1 There are so many different religions, there can’t possibly be just one true religion.

2 All religions basically teach the same thing: all paths lead to God.

3 But people in other religions are so sincere.

4 Christians are arrogant for claiming Jesus is the only way to God.

5 Exclusive religious claims have lead to war, violence, and oppression.


WHAT NOW?Which of the slogans mentioned do you personally find the most challenging?

CONSIdERATION:Why do you think the claim that Jesus is the only way to God is so offensive to people? What do you think is the core issue driving this reaction?

SUMMARy

1 The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus claimed to be the only way to God.

2 All religions are not basically the same. The differences matter.

3 Sincerity is not enough when it comes to truth.

4 Arrogance is not the issue. Truth is.

5 Jesus is the only way because he is the only medicine that will cure our disease.


What are some common slogans that you’ve encountered?

How have you responded to them in the past?

The Tyranny of Tolerance PAGE 155

SESSION 5The Tyranny of Tolerance

Our culture’s two highest values are freedom and tolerance.

“The Unspoken Covenant of Tolerance says that I won’t tell you what you’re doing is wrong

if you won’t tell me what I’m doing is wrong.” –Del Tackett

“The modern view of tolerance is not consistent with Christianity, and that’s

the idea that if you say somebody else is wrong you’re being intolerant.”

Two Problems:-Self-refuting-It silences the protest of evil


Biblical Basis for True Tolerance

1. Every human being is made in the image of God.

2 Loving our neighbors as ourselves is part of what it means to love and serve God.

True & False Tolerance

True Tolerance: We extend to each other the right to be wrong.

False Tolerance: All ideas are created equal.


The Goal: A Civil Public Square

What can we do?

1. Be ready for the slogans. They’re coming!

2. Have the courage to break the Spiral of Silence.

SUMMARy

• True tolerance doesn’t require agreement; rather, it allows for honest and civil DISagreement.

• ALL PEOPLE are created equal—because they’re made in God’s image, but NOT ALL IDEAS are created equal.

• There’s no need to be intimidated by slogans—and we don’t need to participate in the Spiral of Silence.

WHAT NOW?How have you seen or experienced the Tyranny of Tolerance?

How can you be more prepared to thoughtfully respond to false tolerance?

CONSIdERATION:You can’t tolerate someone you agree with, you have to disagree with someone in order to tolerate them.


How to Talk About Truth PAGE 196

SESSION 6How to Talk About Truth

Do you have to have all the right answers before you can have a spiritual conversa-tion with someone? Actually, no.

Talking About the Truth:

1 Start!

2 You don’t have to have all the answers.

3 Have realistic expectations for what success looks like in a spiritual conversation.

4 Ask questions.


“If I have only an hour with someone, I will spend the first 55 minutes asking questions and finding out what is troubling their

heart and mind, and then the last five minutes I will share something of the truth.” –Francis Schaeffer

SUMMARy

• What do you mean by that?

• How did you come to that conclusion?

Talking About the Truth:

1 Start!

2 You don’t have to have all the answers.

3 Have realistic expectations for what success looks like in a spiritual conversation.

4 Ask questions.


WHAT NOW?Are you a good listener? Why is this such an important part of engaging others?

Have unrealistic expectations kept you from starting spiritual conversations? What has this looked like?

List one person in your life/potential sphere of influence that you will commit to praying for and starting a spiritual conversation with in the near future.

Be bold and put a “by this date” here

CONSIdERATION:Consider the tone of your conversation. Are you being friendly, kind, and genuine as you engage with people who believe differently?

Why Truth Matters PAGE 227

SESSION 7Why Truth Matters

Why Truth Matters

1 We don’t want to believe in a lie.

2 Truth has consequences because reality is involved.

3 If you abandon truth, you’re left with power plays and oppression.

4 Relativism trivializes the Gospel.

Truth is central to the Christian life.

“Reality is what you run into when you’re wrong.” –Dallas Willard

What does the Bible have to say about truth?

God is a God of truth. (Isaiah 65:16)

God’s word is truth. (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17; Ephesians 1:13)

God delights in the truth. (Proverbs 12:22; Psalms 51:6; 1 Timothy 3:15)

Walk in the truth. (Colossians 2:7)

Handle accurately the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

We’ve been entrusted with the truth. (2 Timothy 1:14)

defend the truth. (1 Peter 3:15)

Worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

God desires all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-5)

The truth sets us free. (John 8:31-32)

Pass on truth to the next generation. (Psalm 78:4-7)

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” –Psalm 86:11 [ESV]

CONSIdERATION:Which of these commands did you most resonate with? Why?



WHAT NOW?Which of these commands is a possible area of growth for you? What is one thing you can begin doing now towards that goal?

What has been your biggest takeaway from this study?

What are you personally doing to help equip the next generation with truth? (e.g., at church, in your family, at school, etc.)

EXPLORE TRUTHSelected Bibliography

Beckwith, Francis and Gregory Koukl. Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.

Geisler, Norman L. and Frank Turek. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2004.

Mcdowell, Sean. A New Kind of Apologist. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2016.

Mcdowell, Sean and Jonathan Morrow. Is God Just a Human Invention?: And Seventeen Other Questions Raised by the New Atheists. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2010.

Moreland, JP. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul. Revised and Updated ed. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012.

Morrow, Jonathan. Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2008.

Morrow, Jonathan. Think Christianly: Looking at the Intersection of Faith and Culture. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

Morrow, Jonathan. Questioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible’s Authority. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2014.

Pearcey, Nancy. Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005.

Pearcey, Nancy. Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, and Meaning. Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 2010.

Smith, Warren Cole and John Stonestreet. Restoring All Things : God’s Audacious Plan to Save the World through Everyday People. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2015.

Willard, dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. San Francisco: Harp-erSanFrancisco, 1997.

Willard, dallas. Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge. New York, NY: Harper-One, 2009.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Jonathan Morrow (d.Min.) is a sought after speaker and teacher who has a gift for explain-ing challenging topics in ways the rest of us can understand. He is the author of several books including Questioning the Bible and Welcome to College and also contributed articles to the Apologetics Study Bible for Students. He is the Director of Cultural Engagement for Impact 360 Institute where he teaches in the college Gap Year program and high school summer Immersion experience and also serves as an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University. He has earned master’s degrees in Philosophy of Religion and Theology as well as a Doctorate in Worldview and Culture from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.

As the founder of ThinkChristianly.org Jonathan speaks nationally on worldview, apologetics, and culture and is passionate about seeing a new generation of Christ-followers understand what they believe, why they believe it, and why it matters in life. His books have been featured on shows like Family Life Today, Stand to Reason, Breakpoint, Chris Fabry Live, and In the Market with Janet Parshall. He and his wife have been married for 15 years and have three children. Follow him on twitter: @Jonathan_Morrow

ABOUT THE SCHOLARS INTERVIEWEd

Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.d. is Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies at Baylor University, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Philosophy and Co-Director (with Trent Dougherty) of the Program in Philosophical Studies of Religion. He has held visiting faculty appointments at Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame and has published extensively on social ethics, applied ethics, legal philosophy, and the philoso-phy of religion. Named the 2007 Person of the Year by Inside the Vatican magazine, his most recent books include Politics for Christians: Statecraft As Soulcraft (2010) and Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case against Abortion Choice (2007). Visit his website at francisbeckwith.com.

Brett Kunkle, M.A., is the Student Impact Director at Stand to Reason. He is passionate about seeing students and adults “transformed by the renewing of their minds.” A dynamic commu-nicator who engages both heart and mind, Brett speaks to thousands of students and adults at churches, conferences, and college campuses across the country. In addition, Brett was a contributor to the Apologetics Study Bible for Students, has a chapter on truth in Apologetics for a New Generation, and wrote the Ambassador’s Guide to Mormonism. He has been interviewed on radio and television, and has been a guest host for Stand to Reason’s weekly radio show. Brett received his bachelor’s degree in Christian education from Biola University. He has his master’s degree in philosophy of religion and ethics at Talbot School of Theology. Visit him online at str.org.

Sean Mcdowell, Ph.d., is an assistant professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University. He has two Masters Degrees in Theology and Philosophy from Talbot Theological Seminary and earned his Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an internationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, and was ‘Educator of the Year’ for his hometown, San Juan Capistrano, in 2008. He is the author of several books including A New Kind of Apologist, The Beauty of Intolerance and editor of the Apologetics Study Bible for Students. Visit his website at seanmcdowell.org.


http://thinkchristianly.org

https://twitter.com/jonathan_morrow

http://francisbeckwith.com

http://str.org

http://seanmcdowell.org

J.P. Moreland, Ph.d., is Distinguished Professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University in La Mirada, California where he has taught for 25 years. He has authored, edited, or contributed papers to ninety-five books, including Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul (NavPress), Does God Exist? (Prometheus), Universals (McGill-Queen’s), Consciousness and the Existence of God (Routledge) and Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology (Blackwell). He has also published over 85 articles in journals such as Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, MetaPhilosophy, Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, and Faith and Philosophy. He has also published 120 articles in magazines and newspapers. Visit his website at jpmoreland.com.

John Stonestreet, M.A., is the president of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is a gifted communicator on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education, and apologetics, and is a sought-after speaker at conferences, colleges, churches, schools, and other various gatherings each year. He is the co-host with Eric Metaxas of BreakPoint, the Christian worldview radio program founded by the late Chuck Colson, and the voice of The Point, a daily national radio feature on worldview, apologetics and cultural issues. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Illinois) and Bryan College (Tennessee), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview (Sheffield Press), Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design for Marriage, and Restoring All Things. He and his wife Sarah have three daughters and a dog, and live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit him at colsoncenter.org.

del Tackett, d.Min., is the founder of thetruthencounter.com. He is former president of the Focus on the Family Institute and a former Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family. He is also the creator of Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project—a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ. Dr. Tackett served more than 20 years in the United States Air Force. During the George H. W. Bush administration, he served at the White House, where he was appointed by President Bush as the director of technical planning for the National Security Council. Dr. Tackett holds three earned degrees (D.M., Colorado Technical University; M.S., Auburn University; B.S., Kansas State University). Dr. Tackett has published a variety of written works including articles in Focus on the Family magazine that address world-view and cultural issues. He has had several technical articles and manuals published by the U.S. Air Force. A sought after conference speaker, Dr. Tackett addresses topics such as American Christian heritage, Christian worldview, technical subjects and management. Del and his wife Melissa have been married since 1972. They have four grown children. Visit him online at thetruthencounter.com.

Frank Turek, d.Min., is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author or coauthor of four books: Stealing from God: Why Atheists Need God to make their Case, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Correct, Not Politically Correct and Legislating Morality. As the President of CrossExamined.org, Frank presents powerful and entertaining evidence for Christianity at churches, high schools and at secular college campuses that often begin hostile to his message. He has also debated several prominent atheists including Christopher Hitchens and David Silverman, president of American Atheists. Frank is a widely featured guest in the media as a leading apologetics expert and cultural commentator. He has appeared on hundreds of radio programs and many top TV programs including: The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, Faith Under Fire, and Politically Incorrect. He also writes a column for Townhall.com. A former aviator in the US Navy, Frank has a master’s degree from the George Washington University and a doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary. He and his wife, Stephanie, are blessed with three grown sons. Visit him online at crossexamined.org.

http://jpmoreland.com

http://colsoncenter.org

http://thetruthencounter.com

http://crossexamined.org

Join us as we Explore the Resurrection in this new digital study designed to follow the evidence through history to find the truth. The digital course is packed with powerful truths that will change the way you view your faith and your world. Encounter the real-life effects of this point of faith— the monumental point where history and hope converge.

New Digital Course Features:

• Nine accessible sessions with over two hours of visually engaging teaching

• Over 90 minutes of exclusive bonus video interviews with leading scholars (Michael Licona, John Lennox,William Lane Craig, and Sean McDowell)

• Fully mobile responsive site for learning on the go

• Ability to resume learning exactly where you left off, including mid-video, on all your devices

• Interactive review questions for each session and an extensive workbook to solidify learning

• Helpful youth/adult discussion guides that get everyone engaged

EXPLORE THE RE SURREC TI ON

withJONATHAN MORROWSpeaker, Author, and Impact 360 Institute Faculty Instructor

Explore the Resurrection in this new digital study.

w w w.e x p l o r e t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n .t v

Perfect for self-guided or small group study.

EXPLORE THE RE SURREC TI ON withJONATHAN MORROWSpeaker, Author, and Impact 360 Institute Faculty Instructor

P O W E R E D B Y

Begin your investigation today. Just visit online at:

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The mission of Impact 360 Masters is to equip young professionals to be culture-shaping, Christ-centered servant leaders in their various vocations. A partnership with Union University and Impact 360 Institute offers this unique, residentially-based Master of Christian Studies degree.

Impact 360 Gap Year is a nine-month Christian worldview and leadership experience located in Pine Mountain, Georgia serving students 18-20 years old. The mission is to equip members of future generations to become Christ-centered servant leaders.

Get Connected

We exist to impact culture by creating Christ-centered worldview and leadership opportunities.

Impact 360 Institute was born when John and Trudy Cathy White recognized an increasing need for equipping young adults in the area of godly leadership. Impact 360 Institute appreciates the value of holistic learning and holds to a three-pillar philosophy of know, be, live: know why you believe, be who God created you to be, live what you learn.

Immersion is a two-week transformational worldview and leadership experience for high school students in which they will learn what they be believe, why they believe it, and how to live it out in the real world.

Know, Be, and Live – type equipping during all four years of a college student's education to prepare them for maximum leadership influence in their various God-given callings.

Find us on Facebook at /impact360institute

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Find us online at impact360.org

Propel Student Leadership Conference is a 4-day catalytic leadership conference for high school students where they will learn what it means to be Christ-centered and how to influence their peers.

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