Truth in Our World Today
Various passages October 10 2021
I. Introduction:
A. Read Proverbs 14:6,33
1. Simply the better you understand something, the easier it will be for you to
know what to do and the wiser you will be!
2. So the better we understand our culture:
a) We will better understand why people say what they say and do the
things they do today.
b) We will be wiser in contending for the...
Truth in Our World Today
Various passages October 10 2021
I. Introduction:
A. Read Proverbs 14:6,33
1. Simply the better you understand something, the easier it will be for you to
know what to do and the wiser you will be!
2. So the better we understand our culture:
a) We will better understand why people say what they say and do the
things they do today.
b) We will be wiser in contending for the faith
c) We will be wiser to navigate these times without being squeezed into the
mold of the world
d) We will be wiser on how to impact others.
B. We stated the first week that we are living in a very unique time as many have
lived in two different cultural eras, which in many ways can be defined not by age
or generation but more by the way, we perceive the world and particularly the
way we think about truth. These two eras are called modern and post-modern
• So I am going to start by simply reading to you a 30,000-foot view of the summary of
my study of these. I would highly encourage you to download these notes from our
webpage later in the week.
II. Cultural eras
A. Modernism began in the mid-17th century with the rise of the age of
enlightenment - an age of reason where human understanding was used to define
the universe.
It was an intellectual movement that believed human reason and science gave us
access to truth, with the ultimate goal that knowledge of the truth would better
humankind. They could now ‘correct’ and ‘improve’ the political and social
condition of humankind.
Thus, the individual would no longer be at the mercy of religious and secular
authorities of the middle ages who dictated people what was true, primarily long
held traditions!
B. Postmodernism found its beginning more in the 60’s and 70’s
It is more an attitude towards truth claims than it is a generational thing. It began
in response to the failure of the modernist to provide this new and better society.
After two world wars, nonstop social revolutions, civil unrest and the cold war
modernity was declared dead by the academic world!
It was marked by questioning of reason, skepticism, radical uncertainty,
celebration of difference, and the reassessment of modern principles.
The modern age was marked by different large-scale theories, “grand narratives” -
one ultimate truth that could explain the totality of human experience. The
postmodern age was one of “micro-narratives” that focused on context/relativism,
subcultures, and diversity, none of which can claim an ultimate truth.
What is reality/truth? Rather than being an absolute objective truth, accessible by
rational procedures and experimentation, reality was relative and depended on
subjective experience. Truth is not something we discover out there that is beyond
us but rather something we construct. There is no absolute truth
The hallmark of postmodern thinking is the rejection of absolute truth. The three
byproducts of that are pluralism relativism, and tolerance
If anyone does not buy into these three byproducts then they are considered to
have left their brains at the door. If there is no absolute truth then all truths
are equally valid.
• Before we go on, we need to understand some...
III. Key definitions about truth
A. This is important because to be able to contend for the faith we need to
understand the words that are being used today in the battle for truth. Most of
them are not common to us but to understand them opens up a deeper
understanding about what truth and reality are
B. Following are the PBP pocket dictionary 2nd edition definitions regarding truth –
(see flyer)
1. Truth – what is real, that which correspond with reality.
2. Absolute – true for all people in all places at all times independent of any
outside factors.
3. Relative – truth is not fixed for all but is individually determined dependent
upon a person’s unique situation.
4. Objective – truth based on how things really are whether we agree with it or
not.
5. Subjective - truth based on a person's perspective, feelings, opinions and
circumstances whether it is real or not.
6. Exclusive – truth that is limited and excludes others.
7. Pluralism – Two or more differing or opposing views that are equally valid
and true.
8. Construct –every individual, group or subculture is free to create their own
reality/truth.
9. Material – the material world and its laws. Materialism or naturalism is the
belief that nature is all there is.
• Now with a better understanding of these words next I tried to make a chart that puts
the ideas of truth together through the lens of the modern and postmodern era and the
eternal era of God!
IV. Summary chart of truth
V. The problem as I see it
A. We see this kind of postmodern thinking all over our culture today. But my
biggest concern right now is how it has hit three major institutions of culture – the
media, politics and education. I believe it has hit both sides of the aisles in
different ways whether you are watching Fox News or CNN or you are a
Republican or Democrat.
B. Many of these institutions are constructing truth. They do it through what they
call talking points –
1. This is what we are going to talk about and this is what we want people to
believe.
a) So they talk about their talking points whether they are true or not and
almost always just half the truth at best – that which sides with their view
and never the whole truth.
2. Those who do not side with our truth are bullied, vilified, shamed or
cancelled.
3. Which shuts down all intelligent conversations, getting to what really is the
truth and what is real enough that we can build our life upon it!
C. The goal is no longer communicating the facts or what is true but rather
communicating their agenda! Bottom line – the loudest voice or the voice with
the most people behind it wins!
1. Here is the problem with that (pp) “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong
doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s
accepted by a majority.” Booker T. Washington
2. People are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts! Original
source uncertain but repeated by many
• So with this going on in our culture how can anyone depend upon what they are
hearing in a way they can build their life on it?
VI. Final app
A. So that brings us back to what we have learned over the last few weeks. God and
His Word are the only reality upon which we can rely upon to build our lives.
1. In a day and age where us common folk do not have access to all the facts
and only hear what people want us to hear and believe to be true and there are
so many contradictions we are hearing …
2. We need to make God’s Word the source where we can find truth we can rely
upon and build our lives upon!
3. The only “no spin” zone in the world that we can depend upon to build our
life upon is the Word of God!
4. Read Psalm 1:1-3. Read and speak as God gives utterance
B. I want to close this morning by giving you some books that can help you gain a
better understanding into the things we have talked about the last four weeks.
1. Another Gospel – Alisa Childers – use to be in the group Zoegirl. She tells
the story of how her faith was nearly destroyed by a progressive pastor and
how God walked here through that time and taught her the truth.
2. The Truth War – John Macarthur - basically John’s commentary on the book
of Jude and how it applies to truth in a postmodern age.
3. The Ever loving Truth – Voddie Bauchman – talks about how a 21st century
Christian can stand faithful and be a voice for truth in a postmodern world
