"What is Truth?" - Pontius Pilate

I just finished taking my young adults' Bible study class through a 12-week study of the doctrine of God. It's always refreshing when they ask for the notes from a class that they missed! My goal is to eventually take them through every major doctrine. However, seeing as how theology can become onerous at times, between each doctrine I am going to teach something different.

Two weeks ago I gave the class a survey as to what they would like to learn next. To my surprise, it was a tie between Christian philosophy/apologetics and a unit on marriage and family. Because M and F may get a little controversial, I've decided that we'll tackle (form-tackle) X Ph. first. I'm using a potpourri of sources, and Norman Geisler and Peter Bocchino's Unshakable Foundations is one. Here is a snippet from their book on the topic of the search for Truth:

"The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: phileo, "love," and sophia, "wisdom." It is interesting to note that phileo signifies the kind of love that one has for a friend; the true philosopher loves wisdom as if it were a close friend...

"Philosophy is an effort to engage in rational and consistent examination of the truth claims of any system of belief. Yet if truth does not exist, why bother with philosophy? Think of all the philosophers and philosophy books in the world today. If the academic discipline of philosophy is devoid of truth, then philosophers are in a vain pursuit. Something must be seriously wrong with philosophers who write and speak about the love of a close friend who does not exist!

"The first major assumption that needs to be made by everyone searching for answers it that true answers can be found. Some people do deny that true answers exist. The problem with their view though, is that they assume this view to be true: if it is true, it is self-defeating. If they believe that all views of reality are false, then their view must also be false, for if it were true, then all views would not be false. To deny the existence of truth is to affirm its existence - truth is inescapable! Therefore, the affirmation that true statements can be made about reality is a rationally justifiable one." (32-33)

I'll probably be posting clips from this book, as well as from David Wells' Above All Earthly Pow'rs.

Before I let you quit reading, check out the second doctrine of God quiz: This one may not be as cut and dry among readers...

1) According to a literal interpretation of the “days” in the Bible, the earth seems to be how many yeas old:

a) 2-3.5 million

b) 500,000-750,000

c) 10,000-20,000

2) True or False: God controls every aspect of our lives

3) True or False: We are 100% responsible for our actions and decisions

4) What is one purpose of a miracle:

5) Yes or No: There are such things as false miracles

6) True or False: Prayer does not change the way God acts

7) Effective prayer is made possible by:

a) God the Father

b) Jesus Christ

c) The Holy Spirit

8) True or False: Angels can be in more then one place at a time

9) What is an example of a purpose that the angels serve?

10) True or False: Satan and demons were created evil