Lesson Three Part 1--Anthropology--Who is Man?

Several class members have mentioned to me that they have felt so personally challenged and individually convicted by the messages of our most recent Sunday School lessons. That is exactly why we decided to review The Truth Project for a second time. This material is so meaningful and so timely that Christians cannot help but grow in Christ when they prayerfully and thoughtfully engage in the discussions led by Dr. Tackett and contemplate personally the questions and challenges of the material. My prayer is that we are all growing and developing a Christian Worldview that will sustain us in times of frustration, challenge, and fear. I believe that this Truth Project Curriculum provides some of the best Christian foundation material that I have ever encountered. I trust that our entire class feels equally challenged and equipped by the discussions, interviews, scripture references, and examples shared in our weekly lessons.

In today's lesson, we began considering the questions, "Who is Man?" and "Who is God?" The answers to these questions have a direct bearing on the answers to the question, "What is evil?" While defining "evil" may not be an easy thing, most of us feel that we know it when we see it in our world--and God knows we see it on a regular basis. For those who think that humans are basically good and that EVERYTHING exists within the black box of the cosmos, evil is just part of the stuff in the box. It is what it is. But for those of us with a Christian Worldview as taught by the Bible, we recognize that Man is both a body and spirit being and that Man is fallen as a result of sin. We understand that Man is in need of redemption, having fallen from his original state of innocence.

Popular thinking asserts that "self-actualization" is the key to happiness and fulfillment." Yet, this thinking is not consistent with the teaching of Scripture. The Bible affirms man's need for divine grace, redemption, and regeneration. Christianity views evil as the product of the Cosmic Battle that rages within man--the conflict between humanity as it was meant to be and what it has actually become as a result of sin.

Dr. Tackett also identifed what he called the "pernicious lie" in today's discussion:
"man must throw off the restraints of superimposed social conventions and institutions (i.e., any kind of moral standard) and pursue "self-fulfillment" to the fullest extent." Self-fulfillment and the call to follow your own heart are inconsistent with a Christian worldview.

I hope you will join us again next week as we continue to discuss this interesting topic.

NEW CLASSROOM NEXT WEEK--February 19

Next week, we will begin meeting in our new classroom. We will be in the same general location with our classroom being on the south end of the classroom pods rather that the north end as it is now. See you then.

Jimmy

Lesson Two--Philosophy & Ethics Part One

In today's lesson, we saw an example of the use of "assumptive language," which Dr. Tackett calls one of the most dangerous forms of communication for Christians. In general terms, "assumptive language" is a general, seemingly innocuous statement. However, the state requires agreement with other assumptions in order for the statement to be valid. This is an example of the kinds of deception and debauchery that trap Christians in today's society. Dr. Tackett's argument today is based on the truth claim of Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive, through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Dr. Tackett played an excerpt from a program called, "Cosmos" hosted by Carl Sagan. In the program, Dr. Sagan referred to the cosmos as "all that was or is or will ever be." He makes the argument that this is "all there is--that which is in the cosmos." He argues that there is nothing outside the box. If this is true, there is no God.

Basically, there are two views to consider. 1: God is, and he is reflected in creation and in His Word. 2. God is not and only those things inside the Cosmic Cube (matter, energy, man) are real. As Christians, we must ask ourself the question, "Do I live as if God is not?" We learned from our lesson and from God's Word that it is indeed possible for us to be taken captive by satan's lies and deception. The best way to guard against this danger is to examine ourselves constantly against the standard of God's Word. We need to examine our lives and see if our actions and behaviors reflect the beliefs we claim to hold.

Join us next week as we reflect on the question of ethics, "What is right? What is wrong?" We will also consider the issue of a postmodern society. Thanks for being a part of this class. See you next week!

What is Truth?--Part 2 February 5, 2012

This week, we are watching the second half of the first lesson in The Truth Project. During the lesson last week, we looked at the question posed by Pilate as he judged Jesus, "What is truth?" Dr. Tackett suggests that this single question may be the most important question facing our society today. "What is truth?" In this week's lesson, we see further evidence that God is truth and that the "truth claims" of God are indeed real and valid. Today's lesson looks at the "truth claims" of God in several areas. For example, where God calls for unity, such as in marriage, the world seeks division. Where God requires diversity such as marriage between a man and a woman, the world seems to at least tolerate unification. Where God demands roles, man demonstrates jealousy. Where God calls for responsibility, we live in a culture of blame. When God speaks from authority, we tend to engage in rebellion. When God calls for delegation, we choose tryanny. When God encourages freedom, man chooses bondage to sin and evil. All of the traits proposed by God lead to peace, prosperity, and happiness. All of the traits pursued by the world are illogical, inconsistent, and lead to disorder and death.

If we ask the question, "Who is man?", God says he is created in the image of God, a spiritual being. Yet, the world argues that man is a random creation from the goo of a primordial soup and evolved into his present state. God says man is fallen and is naturally sinful. Yet, the world suggests that man is basically good.

Yes, all of these paradoxes reflect the elements of the Cosmic Battle--good vs. evil, righteous vs. unrighteous, and the truth vs. the lie of satan. Yet, we learn in this week's lesson that the ultimate source of truth is God himself (Col. 2: 2-3). Behind every truth claim of God is the very character and being of God, Jehova, Jireh. We are expected to demonstrate faith in the truth claims of God. We saw a good example of faith like a little child in the lesson today when we say a young child walk to the end of diving board and jump into the waiting arms of his mom who was waiting patiently in the pool. How can you and I demonstrate such faith this week? I hope you will join me in pondering this question this week: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" Dr. Tackett reminds us that we all act based on on what we really perceive to be real. If we believe what God says, we will act based on His guidance.