What is Truth?What is Truth?

Col 2:8 See to it that no one Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through takes you captive through

hollow and deceptive hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the on human tradition and the

basic principles of this basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.world rather than on Christ.

Dr. William E. BrownDr. William E. Brown

Your worldview answers Your worldview answers the ULTIMATE questions…the ULTIMATE questions…

ORIGIN:ORIGIN: Where did everything come from?

MEANING: Why are we here?

MORALITY:MORALITY: How should we live?How should we live?

DESTINY:DESTINY: What happens when we die?What happens when we die?

Why is there evil?Why is there evil?

If God is a loving God, why If God is a loving God, why does he allow evil?does he allow evil?

1. The view of the world:

a. Man is a product of NATURAL processes…..

“I have never seen the slightest scientific proof of the religious ideas of heaven and hell, of future life for individuals or of a personal God.”

Thomas Edison

1. The view of the world:

b. Man’s moral state: man is inherently GOOD.

“I do not find that evil is inherent in

human nature.”

Carl Rogers

1. The view of the world:

c. Man’s need: man needs to get in touch with his INNER SELF and be all he can be.

“What a man can be, he must be. This need

we call self-actualization..”

Abraham Maslow

2. In this world view evil is a result of SOCIAL institutions and SOCIAL structures.

“Sick people are made by a sick

culture..”

Abraham Maslow

One problem with this view: social institutions are made of ……PEOPLE.

3. The biblical world view:

a) Man’s Origin – created in the IMAGE of GOD….INNOCENT.

3. The biblical world view:

b) Man’s Moral State – FALLEN

3. The biblical world view:

c. Why is there evil?” Because man’s moral state is FALLEN. Man is not inherently GOOD.

C H Spurgeon – “you cannot slander human nature. It’s worse than words can paint it.”

1515But in your hearts set apart Christ as But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Lord. Always be prepared to give an Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you give the reason for the hope that you have.have. But do this with gentleness and But do this with gentleness and respect, respect, 1616keeping a clear conscience, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15-16