Our RelationshipOur RelationshipWith Jesus as LordWith Jesus as Lord

How do we know How do we know about God?about God?

Please write your name on your Please write your name on your worksheet.worksheet.

Write in complete sentences.Write in complete sentences.

You will hand it in after we discuss it for You will hand it in after we discuss it for participation credit.participation credit.

The PlanThe Plan

Before we can understand our Before we can understand our relationship with Jesus as Lord we relationship with Jesus as Lord we are going to do the following:are going to do the following:

Examine the nature of knowledgeExamine the nature of knowledge Examine the nature of truthExamine the nature of truth Examine the nature of opinionExamine the nature of opinion Examine the nature of revelationExamine the nature of revelation

KnowledgeKnowledge

How do we come to know anything at all?How do we come to know anything at all? We have our own senses and our own We have our own senses and our own

intellect to review what our senses receive.intellect to review what our senses receive. We hear, smell, taste, feel, and see.We hear, smell, taste, feel, and see. We obtain some knowledge through We obtain some knowledge through

experienceexperience Most of our knowledge, however, comes to Most of our knowledge, however, comes to

us from others who “Witness” to the truth.us from others who “Witness” to the truth. You cannot experience the civil war but you You cannot experience the civil war but you

can gain knowledge of it through witnesses.can gain knowledge of it through witnesses.

KnowledgeKnowledge You and I cannot experience the result of every You and I cannot experience the result of every

scientific finding, we have to trust in the scientific finding, we have to trust in the scientists who witness the results of their scientists who witness the results of their experiments.experiments.

The scientific community itself does not put blind The scientific community itself does not put blind trust in their peers, rather they do peer reviews. trust in their peers, rather they do peer reviews. It is on the word of many scientists (Witnesses) It is on the word of many scientists (Witnesses) that we have more confidence that it is true.that we have more confidence that it is true.

Human witness is subject to error and corruption.Human witness is subject to error and corruption. Scientists often steer their findings toward their Scientists often steer their findings toward their

desired results.desired results. Science is often seen as somehow more reliable Science is often seen as somehow more reliable

than faith in proclaiming the truth when in fact than faith in proclaiming the truth when in fact both disciplines rely on witnesses.both disciplines rely on witnesses.

ReliabilityReliability Both science and faith are supported by Both science and faith are supported by

witnesses and both are reliable ways of witnesses and both are reliable ways of receiving knowledge and truth.receiving knowledge and truth.

The repeatability of scientific experiments The repeatability of scientific experiments gives us great confidence while both our gives us great confidence while both our method and our interpretation of data method and our interpretation of data leaves a lot of room for error.leaves a lot of room for error.

A scientific truth today is subject to A scientific truth today is subject to change with tomorrow’s great discovery.change with tomorrow’s great discovery.

Galileo taught the world this truth by Galileo taught the world this truth by declaring the earth was not the center of declaring the earth was not the center of the universe.the universe.

Understanding The TruthUnderstanding The Truth

The truth must be one.The truth must be one. Something can’t be hard and not Something can’t be hard and not

hard at the same time.hard at the same time. Something can’t be bright and not Something can’t be bright and not

bright at the same time.bright at the same time. Something can’t be hot and not hot Something can’t be hot and not hot

at the same time.at the same time. Something can’t be true and false at Something can’t be true and false at

the same time.the same time.

Understanding the TruthUnderstanding the Truth 1+1=2, it cannot equal 3 or any other number. 1+1=2, it cannot equal 3 or any other number.

Everything else is false or wrong.Everything else is false or wrong. Though opinions of truth may vary down to each Though opinions of truth may vary down to each

human person, the truth itself must be one.human person, the truth itself must be one. If I told you that Barney the Dinosaur was in that If I told you that Barney the Dinosaur was in that

conference room, you might go and discover that conference room, you might go and discover that he is not.he is not.

You could then say that I’m wrong.You could then say that I’m wrong. I could say, “It is true for me.” But you would still I could say, “It is true for me.” But you would still

say that I am wrong.say that I am wrong. Or if I promised to pay for your college and when Or if I promised to pay for your college and when

the bills keep coming you approach me and say, the bills keep coming you approach me and say, “You didn’t pay for my college.” I could reply “You didn’t pay for my college.” I could reply “Yes I did,” until my teeth fell out, but the bill “Yes I did,” until my teeth fell out, but the bill would still not be paid.would still not be paid.

Truth vs. OpinionTruth vs. Opinion I think the planet is warming.I think the planet is warming. I think the planet is not warming.I think the planet is not warming. These are both opinions.These are both opinions. Either might be true or false.Either might be true or false. But the planet cannot both be warming But the planet cannot both be warming

and not warming at the same time.and not warming at the same time. At least one opinion is false as they are At least one opinion is false as they are

opposite.opposite. It is possible that they are both false.It is possible that they are both false. It is impossible for them both to be right.It is impossible for them both to be right.

RevelationRevelation

God has revealed to us the Truth and we God has revealed to us the Truth and we call this revelation.call this revelation.

He has told us the truth about Himself.He has told us the truth about Himself. He has told us the truth about salvation.He has told us the truth about salvation. He has told us the truth about morality.He has told us the truth about morality. He has told us the truth in such a way as He has told us the truth in such a way as

to have many witnesses and to be fully to have many witnesses and to be fully “peer reviewed” throughout history.“peer reviewed” throughout history.

Jesus said, “I did not come to abolish the Jesus said, “I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.”law but to fulfill it.”

How we know about GodHow we know about God We know about God through the many We know about God through the many

witnesses who have heard and seen what witnesses who have heard and seen what God has revealed.God has revealed.

We have 4 gospels, 12 Apostles, many We have 4 gospels, 12 Apostles, many prophets, etc.prophets, etc.

Why should these witnesses be any less Why should these witnesses be any less reliable than scientists when peer review reliable than scientists when peer review has come to the same unchanging has come to the same unchanging conclusions over 2000 years!conclusions over 2000 years!

St. John says, “Faith is in hearing.” We St. John says, “Faith is in hearing.” We hear from these Witnesses.hear from these Witnesses.

Witnesses To ChristWitnesses To Christ If you believe the witnesses who recorded If you believe the witnesses who recorded

the “Data” in the Bible and/or the the “Data” in the Bible and/or the teachings of the Church then we believe teachings of the Church then we believe that God has revealed the truth to us.that God has revealed the truth to us.

This would mean that God has revealed This would mean that God has revealed the “Fullness of Truth” to His Church.the “Fullness of Truth” to His Church.

Because it is true, it must be perfectly Because it is true, it must be perfectly reasonable and intelligent.reasonable and intelligent.

Because it is true, it must not contradict Because it is true, it must not contradict itself.itself.

All of these things hold true from God’s All of these things hold true from God’s first revelation to Adam and Eve to God’s first revelation to Adam and Eve to God’s final revelation in Jesus Christ.final revelation in Jesus Christ.

Spiritual RelativismSpiritual Relativism The term Spiritual Relativism is the belief that all The term Spiritual Relativism is the belief that all

religions are the same (“It doesn’t matter”)religions are the same (“It doesn’t matter”) This belief system is a product of Atheism.This belief system is a product of Atheism. Remember when we said: The planet is warming Remember when we said: The planet is warming

vs. the planet is not warming?vs. the planet is not warming? We said that only one could be true, at least one We said that only one could be true, at least one

is false, and maybe both are false.is false, and maybe both are false. Spiritual Relativism is based on the notion that all Spiritual Relativism is based on the notion that all

religions are false.religions are false. If every religion is false than who are we to judge If every religion is false than who are we to judge

which one is best for you? which one is best for you? But if the truth is available there can be only one But if the truth is available there can be only one

and it is best for someone to have the truth over and it is best for someone to have the truth over a falsehood.a falsehood.

The Fullness of TruthThe Fullness of Truth

The Catholic Church

This is the One True This is the One True Religion!Religion!

Instead of saying all religions are false, we say Instead of saying all religions are false, we say that there is one completely true religion…The that there is one completely true religion…The Catholic Faith.Catholic Faith.

However, other faiths However, other faiths shareshare some of the One some of the One Truth with us.Truth with us.

If we were to say, that the Red Sox and the If we were to say, that the Red Sox and the Patriots are playing today, this statement would Patriots are playing today, this statement would be false.be false.

However this statement has some truth in it, However this statement has some truth in it, “The Patriots are playing today,” however it also “The Patriots are playing today,” however it also has falsehood in it…”The Red Sox are playing has falsehood in it…”The Red Sox are playing today.”today.”

Those who go to Gillette Stadium will enjoy the Those who go to Gillette Stadium will enjoy the truth while those who go to Fenway will find an truth while those who go to Fenway will find an empty stadium.empty stadium.

Sharing in the TruthSharing in the Truth

A Muslim who devotes themselves to A Muslim who devotes themselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving is like prayer, fasting, and almsgiving is like the one who goes to the Patriots the one who goes to the Patriots game.game.

These wholesome practices of truth These wholesome practices of truth and piety will grant them the expect and piety will grant them the expect reward.reward.

If they follow the false teaching, they If they follow the false teaching, they will encounter emptiness and will encounter emptiness and ultimately dissatisfaction.ultimately dissatisfaction.

Sharing in the TruthSharing in the Truth

Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church

One Truth!

Muslims

Jews

Protestants

Pagans

Sharing in the TruthSharing in the Truth St. Paul when viewing the Pagan Temples saw one to St. Paul when viewing the Pagan Temples saw one to

the “Unknown God.”the “Unknown God.” St. Paul said, “That shrine is to the True God.” Those St. Paul said, “That shrine is to the True God.” Those

who worshiped at this shrine found God and found who worshiped at this shrine found God and found salvation. St. Paul points out there is truth there as salvation. St. Paul points out there is truth there as well.well.

However, St. Paul goes on to tell them who that God However, St. Paul goes on to tell them who that God really is.really is.

The Jewish man who approached Jesus and The Jewish man who approached Jesus and confessed his love for God with all his heart, soul, confessed his love for God with all his heart, soul, and mind, was told he was close to the Kingdom of and mind, was told he was close to the Kingdom of God. He was Jewish but had found the saving truth.God. He was Jewish but had found the saving truth.

The Muslims who believe in One God, a God of The Muslims who believe in One God, a God of Mercy, a God of Love, share those truths with us.Mercy, a God of Love, share those truths with us.

Jesus said, “I am the…Truth!” So anyone who learns Jesus said, “I am the…Truth!” So anyone who learns to love the truth that we share, learns to love Jesus, to love the truth that we share, learns to love Jesus, whether they know it or not.whether they know it or not.

To Pursue the TruthTo Pursue the Truth

Those who love wisdom (Philosophers) Those who love wisdom (Philosophers) who seek the Truth, are not satisfied with who seek the Truth, are not satisfied with a mere taste.a mere taste.

Once we discover the truth we can more Once we discover the truth we can more easily see lies.easily see lies.

We have a responsibility to explore it as We have a responsibility to explore it as deeply as possible.deeply as possible.

For who ignores the one they love? Who For who ignores the one they love? Who upon finding Christ (The Truth) would then upon finding Christ (The Truth) would then turn and ignore Him?turn and ignore Him?

Cast Off FalsehoodCast Off Falsehood To live in the truth we must cast off falsehoodTo live in the truth we must cast off falsehood Let’s analyze the following logic:Let’s analyze the following logic: Jesus is the Son of GodJesus is the Son of God Jesus is not the Son of GodJesus is not the Son of God Only one can be true, at least one is false, and Only one can be true, at least one is false, and

maybe both are false.maybe both are false. We teach Jesus is the Son of GodWe teach Jesus is the Son of God Muslims teach Jesus is not the Son of GodMuslims teach Jesus is not the Son of God At least one of us is wrongAt least one of us is wrong We have faith in the Revelation and Witness of We have faith in the Revelation and Witness of

the Apostles that we are right.the Apostles that we are right. If someone is right, isn’t it better to believe in the If someone is right, isn’t it better to believe in the

truth.truth.

Cast Off FalsehoodCast Off Falsehood Let’s look at the logic of Spiritual Let’s look at the logic of Spiritual

Relativism:Relativism: It doesn’t matter what religion you are.It doesn’t matter what religion you are. It does matter what religion you are.It does matter what religion you are. Only one can be true, at least one is false, Only one can be true, at least one is false,

maybe both.maybe both. If everyone goes to heaven, if there is no If everyone goes to heaven, if there is no

need to repent and convert, if God doesn’t need to repent and convert, if God doesn’t care what you believe, then all of care what you believe, then all of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is false.Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is false.

Not only that, Jesus, would be nothing Not only that, Jesus, would be nothing more than a liar and a fool.more than a liar and a fool.

Is Jesus a Fool?Is Jesus a Fool? Why would God give up heaven to become Why would God give up heaven to become

a man if he didn’t have too?a man if he didn’t have too? Why would he shiver in a manger and be Why would he shiver in a manger and be

born to a poor family?born to a poor family? For if our beliefs didn’t matter why send a For if our beliefs didn’t matter why send a

teacher?teacher? Does God simply want to suffer for the Does God simply want to suffer for the

sake of suffering? What would that say sake of suffering? What would that say about him?about him?

Why would God communicate at all?Why would God communicate at all? Why would he give a law to Moses?Why would he give a law to Moses? Why would he have prophets?Why would he have prophets? Why would he come himself?Why would he come himself?

Why Would Jesus Teach?Why Would Jesus Teach?

When Jesus Christ is older, he goes around When Jesus Christ is older, he goes around saying “I am the way, the truth and the saying “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”through me.”

If you can take any road and believe If you can take any road and believe anything and get to heaven, is Jesus anything and get to heaven, is Jesus saying something that is false?saying something that is false?

If God himself says things that are false If God himself says things that are false then logically nothing matters at all then logically nothing matters at all because we could never know the truth.because we could never know the truth.

Why Die?Why Die?

Then Jesus gets tortured and Then Jesus gets tortured and crucified for a crime he was not crucified for a crime he was not guilty of. All he had to do was speak guilty of. All he had to do was speak and he would be free.and he would be free.

Why did he shed his blood on the Why did he shed his blood on the cross if the cross isn’t important?cross if the cross isn’t important?

Why would he allow himself to be Why would he allow himself to be tortured if it doesn’t matter?tortured if it doesn’t matter?

Did Jesus die for no reason at all?Did Jesus die for no reason at all? Did his resurrection mean nothing?Did his resurrection mean nothing?

OR…OR…

Jesus is truly is the Son of God.Jesus is truly is the Son of God. And all that was revealed to the Jews And all that was revealed to the Jews

before him was in fact true.before him was in fact true. That means we are bound to the law of That means we are bound to the law of

love, expressed in minimum through the love, expressed in minimum through the law of Moses, on penalty of Hell.law of Moses, on penalty of Hell.

We are not capable of living up to the law We are not capable of living up to the law of love and so we are doomed to of love and so we are doomed to condemnation.condemnation.

Jesus came to teach us, sanctify us, and Jesus came to teach us, sanctify us, and redeem us.redeem us.

The Tremendously Loving The Tremendously Loving GodGod

So Jesus left his Almighty Throne in Heaven, So Jesus left his Almighty Throne in Heaven, emptied Himself, became a dependent and weak emptied Himself, became a dependent and weak little infant for the immense purpose of love.little infant for the immense purpose of love.

The shadow of his cross fell over the manger.The shadow of his cross fell over the manger. Jesus Christ came to suffer and die for us, so that Jesus Christ came to suffer and die for us, so that

we might never know the suffering of Hell.we might never know the suffering of Hell. At Christ’s birth not only came the hope for At Christ’s birth not only came the hope for

salvation, but an unlocking of the human salvation, but an unlocking of the human capacity to love.capacity to love.

Jesus came to earth not because nothing matters, Jesus came to earth not because nothing matters, but because you matter to God.but because you matter to God.

He came because our sins matter and he seeks He came because our sins matter and he seeks to free us from eternal damnation.to free us from eternal damnation.

Teach Us To Love – Teach Us To Love – Invite us to TruthInvite us to Truth

Jesus spent his life demonstrating God’s love for us.Jesus spent his life demonstrating God’s love for us. He invites us to Love him in return and live in his truth.He invites us to Love him in return and live in his truth. He does not seek to condemn other religions but lead them He does not seek to condemn other religions but lead them

in one truth.in one truth. ““I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These

also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one Shepherd.”be one flock, one Shepherd.”

No matter what religion a person is, they can hear the One No matter what religion a person is, they can hear the One Truth (Jesus) and follow him.Truth (Jesus) and follow him.

Yet false teachings in other religions can just as easily lead Yet false teachings in other religions can just as easily lead people away from Jesus (The Truth).people away from Jesus (The Truth).

Therefore we evangelize and try to bring people into the Therefore we evangelize and try to bring people into the fullness of truth that their love of God may be without fullness of truth that their love of God may be without falsehood, and their joy could be complete.falsehood, and their joy could be complete.

““I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” No one comes to the Father Father except through me.” No one comes to the Father without rejecting falsehood and loving the truth.without rejecting falsehood and loving the truth.

Jesus Redeems UsJesus Redeems Us Then the innocent man sheds his innocent blood Then the innocent man sheds his innocent blood

to earn life for those who love him.to earn life for those who love him. An innocent God pays the price for his guilty An innocent God pays the price for his guilty

creations that they might still know Him, Love Him, creations that they might still know Him, Love Him, and Serve Him in this life to be happy with him in and Serve Him in this life to be happy with him in the next life.the next life.

God who through the gift of freedom presented God who through the gift of freedom presented humanity with the possibility of suffering and humanity with the possibility of suffering and death, gave the gift of his own suffering and death death, gave the gift of his own suffering and death so that we might be free again (Made holy and so that we might be free again (Made holy and free to love again).free to love again).

God who invites us to rise up to heaven to share God who invites us to rise up to heaven to share his life, has lowered himself into all our pain to his life, has lowered himself into all our pain to share your life with you.share your life with you.

““No one has a greater love than this, to lay down No one has a greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”you do what I command you.”

Our Relationship with JesusOur Relationship with Jesus

Jesus came to bring us the fullness of Jesus came to bring us the fullness of truth.truth.

Jesus came to forgive us our sins.Jesus came to forgive us our sins. Jesus came to reveal to us His Jesus came to reveal to us His

Father’s Love.Father’s Love. Jesus came to offer us His Friendship.Jesus came to offer us His Friendship.

Think ChristmasThink Christmas

Ask, is it all true?Ask, is it all true? Was God truly born in a manger to Was God truly born in a manger to

begin a mission of love to save me?begin a mission of love to save me? Is Jesus a fool and nothing matters, Is Jesus a fool and nothing matters,

or is Jesus my Lord come to redeem or is Jesus my Lord come to redeem me?me?

When you spend the time with your When you spend the time with your family, giving and receiving, ask family, giving and receiving, ask yourself if there isn’t something yourself if there isn’t something more meaningful in love?more meaningful in love?

Share It With the WorldShare It With the World Once we recognize the truth, which is love, we Once we recognize the truth, which is love, we

should share it with the World.should share it with the World. We should love people of every belief, every We should love people of every belief, every

sinner (no matter how bad), we should love them sinner (no matter how bad), we should love them even to our own death.even to our own death.

We should witness to the One Truth and even We should witness to the One Truth and even endure suffering and death to declare it in love endure suffering and death to declare it in love for others.for others.

The word Martyr means “Witness.”The word Martyr means “Witness.” We shall declare the truth in love and sing “Joy to We shall declare the truth in love and sing “Joy to

the World” for the Lord has come and redeemed the World” for the Lord has come and redeemed us.us.

In discovering the Truth (Jesus Christ) Happiness In discovering the Truth (Jesus Christ) Happiness is Yours! (Beati Voi!).is Yours! (Beati Voi!).