25-0416wc Transcript

Teacher: Scott Reynolds

(0:04) Good evening. Tonight we’ll cover the Truth Project’s first seven tours in a review. (0:11) The Truth Project, a 12-part DVD series by Focus on the Family, is a powerful call to embrace a (0:18) biblical worldview.

Led by Dr. Del Tackett, its first seven tours explore foundational (0:25) questions about truth, philosophy, humanity, God, science, history, and society. Each tour (0:33) challenges us with a piercing question. Do you really believe that what you believe is really (0:40) real? This deep dive into tours one through seven unpacks their biblical foundations, (0:47) key illustrations, and practical implications, inviting you to align your life with God’s truth.

(0:55) Tour One, Veritology, What is Truth? Why did Jesus come into the world? (1:03) John 18-37 answers, to testify to the truth, a declaration met with Pilate’s skeptical, (1:11) what is truth? This tour frames a cosmic battle between the spirit of truth and the spirit of (1:17) falsehood, led by Satan, the father of lies, John 8, verse 44. Truth, per Webster’s 1828 dictionary, (1:27) is conformity to fact or reality, rooted in God’s nature, Colossians 2, verses 2 through 3. (1:36) Every sin, pride, greed, lust, traces back to a lie we’ve believed, tying salvation to truth, (1:45) 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 13. Lies, like idols, lead to common insanity, a loss of touch with reality, (1:55) Isaiah 44, verse 20.

Believers are called to gently engage outsiders, helping them escape (2:02) deception, 2 Timothy 2, verses 24 through 26, and Colossians 4, verses 5 through 6. The takeaway? (2:11) Truth is God’s reality, not our perception. Embracing it frees us from sin’s lies. (2:18) In reflection, what lie have you believed that God’s truth has exposed? (2:25) Tour Two, Philosophy and Ethics, Says Who? Colossians 2 warns against hollow and deceptive (2:33) philosophy that captivates minds, 2 Timothy 2, verses 24 through 26.

Carl Sagan’s naturalistic (2:43) creed, the cosmos is all there is, or ever was, or will be, illustrates the cosmic cube, (2:50) a worldview trapping reality in a material box with no room for God. In contrast, (2:58) biblical presuppositions affirm God’s existence, transcendence, and eminence, (3:04) revealed through creation and his word. Philosophy once included God, Webster’s 1828 dictionary.

(3:13) The modern definitions often exclude him. Postmodernism, denying absolute truth, (3:19) leads to statistical ethics based on cultural surveys, not God’s nature. Plato’s question, (3:27) is an act right because God said it, or did God know it was right, ties morality to God’s (3:35) character.

Many Christians lack a personal biblical worldview conforming to the world rather than being (3:43) transformed, Romans 12, verse 2. The takeaway? Renew your mind to reject deceptive philosophies (3:51) and live by God’s truth. And reflection? Where have naturalistic ideas influenced your thinking? (4:00) Tour 3, Anthropology, who is man? Who are we and why does evil exist? Genesis 127 establishes (4:10) humanity as created in God’s image, yet Romans 5, 12 reveals our fallen state, (4:17) waging an inner battle, Galatians 5, verses 16 and 17. Humanity’s journey, (4:25) innocent fallen facing hell, Revelation 20, verse 15, redeemed and glorified, (4:32) 1 Corinthians 15, 42, contrasts with naturalism’s view of humans as mere matter devoid of purpose (4:40) or ethics.

Secular thinkers like Abraham Maslow, self-actualization, and Carl Rogers, (4:49) man is good, blame evil on culture, not human nature. Scripture counters with our depravity, (4:57) Romans 8, verse 13, and Colossians 3, verse 5, requiring redemption. The problem of evil (5:05) poses a greater challenge for secularists who lack a moral foundation.

The takeaway? We are (5:12) made in God’s glory, but sinful, needing Christ to restore our purpose. And reflection? How does (5:19) knowing you’re both fallen and redeemable shape your self-view? Tour 4, Theology, who is God? (5:30) Theology studies God’s existence, nature, and attributes, the source of all truth, (5:35) Colossians 2, verses 2 and 3. Eternal life is knowing God personally, not just intellectually, (5:42) John chapter 17, verse 3, and Hosea chapter 6, verse 6. Despite attacks on His word, (5:50) such as the Jesus Seminar’s democratic voting on Scripture, Ezekiel 22, verses 26 through 28, (5:58) God reveals Himself through creation, Romans 1, verses 19 through 20, and His enduring word, (6:05) 1 Peter 1, verses 24 through 25. These assaults, part of a battle against God’s knowledge, (6:12) 2 Corinthians 10, verses 4 and 5, cannot undo His truth.

Knowing God transforms our identity, (6:21) revealing our purpose as His image bearer. The takeaway? A relationship with God anchors us in (6:28) truth, shaping every area of life. And reflection? How has knowing God changed your perspective? (6:36) Tour 5, Science, what is true? Psalm 19, 1 proclaims, (6:43) the heavens declare the glory of God, echoed in Romans 1, verses 18 through 20.

Early scientists (6:50) saw design, but naturalism posits a self-originated or eternal cosmos, both problematic without a (6:59) creator. Darwin’s theory fails his own tests. Irreducible complexity, for example, the flagellum (7:07) motor and missing fossil transitions undermine evolution, leading to theories like punctuated (7:14) equilibrium or directed panspermia, Francis Crick.

The scramble analogy, organized genetic code, (7:22) points to intelligent design, not chance. Carl Sagan’s claim that evolution is amply demonstrated (7:31) falters against evidence. Evolution erodes ethical foundations, reflecting a worldview battle (7:38) where man exchanges God’s truth for a lie.

The takeaway? True science glorifies God’s purposeful (7:47) design. And reflection? How does creation’s design strengthen your faith? Tour 6, History, (7:57) whose story? History is God’s providential narrative, not random events. Isaiah 46, (8:04) verses 9 through 13, and Galatians 4, verses 4 through 5. Historical revisionism, like Rigoberto (8:13) Manchus' contested memoir, or omitting God from the Mayflower compact, rewrites the past (8:19) to control the present, echoing Satan’s, did God really say, in Genesis 3, 1, and compare that (8:27) with Matthew 8, verses 11 through 15.

God commands remembrance through memorial stones, (8:34) Joshua 4, verses 1 through 7, and feasts, Deuteronomy 8, verses 10 through 20. Postmodernism (8:44) rejects God’s photo album, but pilgrims saw themselves as stepping stones in his plan, (8:50) Acts chapter 4, verses 27 and 28. Scripture’s reliability, backed by manuscript evidence, (8:58) anchors God’s story.

The takeaway? Live as part of God’s grand narrative, not your own story. (9:07) And reflection? How does seeing history as God’s plan shape your view today? (9:14) Tour 7, Sociology, the Divine Imprint. God’s order shines in creation, Psalm 19, (9:22) verses 1 through 6, and Job chapter 12, verses 7 through 25.

From the chicken eggs intricate (9:29) design to social structures, 1 Corinthians 14, 33. His triune nature, Father, Son, Spirit, (9:38) imprints family, husband, wife, children, and church, Christ’s leader’s flock. Genesis 2, 18 (9:47) declares, it is not good for man to be alone, as loneliness contradicts God’s relational nature.

(9:55) The false severed relationships, God to man, man to man, man to creation. But God’s design (10:03) restores unity through roles like love, respect, submission, and honor, Ephesians chapter 5. (10:10) Pathologies like divorce, Malachi 2, 16, or disrespect, 1 Peter 3, 7, disrupt this divine (10:19) imprint. The takeaway? Reflect God’s relational order in your family and community.

And reflection? (10:27) Where do you see God’s design for relationships in your life? Our conclusion? These seven tours (10:36) wave a compelling call. Reject the world’s lies and embrace God’s truth in every sphere. Truth, (10:43) philosophy, anthropology, theology, science, history, and sociology.

Romans 12, 2 urges us (10:52) to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Which tour resonates most? Perhaps tour one’s (11:00) challenge to spot lies in your life, or tour seven’s vision for restored relationships. (11:08) Reflect on one takeaway, and let’s grow together, living out a worldview that glorifies God.

(11:15) Thank you.