1. “If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity. Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point.”

2. Prophetic Lifestyle Truth

3. John 1:17 Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life Ephesians 4:15 Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

4. Understanding our world Modern confidence in the truth Post-Modern suspicion of truth The issue of ‘situatedness’ ‘Truth’ and Power Leading to loss of conviction

5. Understanding our world The Implications: Political cynicism – Pilate (John 18:37-38) Breakdown of trust Distrust of authority Disengagement Obsession with trivia – dislike of seriousness

6. Tom Wright’s ‘critical realism’

7. 2 Peter 1:16-18 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [a] We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.a

8. 1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

9. Prophetic Lifestyle Truth