1. “To hear truth and not accept it…” 92% of Americans believe in God 92% of Americans believe in God Most Americans don't believe their tradition is the only way to eternal life – even if the denomination's teachings say otherwise Most Americans don't believe their tradition is the only way to eternal life – even if the denomination's teachings say otherwise 21% of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8% “absolutely certain” of it 21% of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8% “absolutely certain” of it

2. I. Society’s View Is Not New Mt.13:13-15 Mt.13:13-15 They didn’t see what they saw or hear what they heardThey didn’t see what they saw or hear what they heard Is.6; history repeatsIs.6; history repeats Mt.16:13-17 Mt.16:13-17 Ac.8:30-31 Ac.8:30-31 Ac.17:22-31 Ac.17:22-31

3. II. The Cause Of The Confusion Ec.7:25-29, man is to blame (1 Co.14:33) Ec.7:25-29, man is to blame (1 Co.14:33) Sought out (persistent plan)Sought out (persistent plan) Inventions (devices, schemes)Inventions (devices, schemes) Cloud moral issues by... Cloud moral issues by... False reasoningFalse reasoning Renaming sinRenaming sin Deceptive appealsDeceptive appeals

4. False views of truth 1. Truth cannot be known (agnosticism). Jn.8:31-32 *Claims to be an absolute truth *Self-defeating 2. Just believing something doesn’t make it true (fideism). 1 Co.3:18 *Faith alone; no reasoning process *Denies power of unaided reason to reach certitude

5. 3. Experience determines truth (experientialism). Job 4 4. If it works, it’s true (pragmatism). Jn.8:44 5. We must be tolerant (pluralism). Koran vs Bible. Ro.1:25 6. Truth to you (relativism). Jn.14:6 *Nazis?*Muslims? *Legislate morality?

6. III. We Can Understand The Scriptures Jn.7:17 Jn.7:17 If anyone wants…If anyone wants… To do His will…To do His will… He will know... doctrine (8:44; 3:19-21)He will know... doctrine (8:44; 3:19-21) If of God…If of God… Jn.1:46-49 Jn.1:46-49 Jn.12:37-40 Jn.12:37-40

7. Ac.17:11-12, why noble? Attitude: openness, honesty, sincerity (Lk.8:15) Attitude: openness, honesty, sincerity (Lk.8:15) They did not condemn unheardThey did not condemn unheard They listenedThey listened Approach: knowing OT = word of God, they tested gospel by it (1 Th.5:21) Approach: knowing OT = word of God, they tested gospel by it (1 Th.5:21) Application: did sth. about it Application: did sth. about it

8. 2 Co.1:13 2 Co.1:13 What you read is what you getWhat you read is what you get Ep.3:3-4 Ep.3:3-4 Reading... understandReading... understand Ph.3:15-16 Ph.3:15-16 Assumes every Christian wants to embrace apostolic teachingAssumes every Christian wants to embrace apostolic teaching How? Hold what we knowHow? Hold what we know 16, God will supply deficiency16, God will supply deficiency