Jesus, Truth, History and Worldview

I am increasingly becoming aware of how important it is for people to know history. I am persuaded by my faith, that if people do not know certain parts of history they will be both unable to distinguish truth and more importantly left without hope of eternal life with God. The apostle Paul, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit says in Romans 9:10

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

When Jesus Christ died on the cross 2,000 years ago, that was as much an event in history as the American Revolution was. There is enough evidence from the Bible and outside sources for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that it makes believing in him as Lord, Savior and Judge—both rational and reasonable. As those who are “In Christ,” we stand for truth in a world which loves darkness. We live in a world which loves to hear about God’s love but doesn’t like to be told they are in rebellion against the God of the universe. The world loves to boast and believe it knows better than God but it only is fooling itself. 

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Luke 11:23

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.  For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  They traded the truth about God for a lie…

 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 1:18-2:5

Therefore God is revealed in both his special revelation (bible) and general revelation (history, world and universe). If people do not know who God is, how will they be able to discern right and wrong and obey the truth? Pilate declared “what is truth?” and so does the world when faced with the truth, because it would rather do what it wants rather than acknowledge, know and believe that the Truth (Jesus) is Lord. Satan knows exactly who is Jesus Christ (Truth), he knows the bible better than anyone and yet he is still in eternal rebellion against God. The Devil hates the truth and would rather serve himself then follow it. 

History includes both the bible and everything else that has ever happened or wrote down. 

History is awesome and it is important! The reason people do not like history anymore, is because over 50 years ago, we changed the way we teach history. People like stories, David and Goliath, George Washington crossing the Delaware or George Washington surviving as hundreds of his fellow soldiers die all around him. What an epic story is that of David and Goliath and Washington crossing the Delaware or how miraculous is it for Washington to have survived the battle of Monongahela, while hundreds died right next to him and how did he survive without a scratch?

History used to be taught by:

·         Biographical

·         Stories and consequences

·         Having a purpose

Today we teach dry uninteresting, sterile history by trying to remember names, dates and places. There is no purpose to history anymore. We are afraid of making any judgments made about the choices people make or considering the values which are upheld in our learning of history. This is why history is considered dull, while stories like Harry Potter, Twilight and other books are considered interesting. We have remembered the wrong things and for the wrong motives. You don’t remember history to remember history. You remember history to discern right course of action and right motives and to learn the true, beautiful and lovely things which can be learned from things and events which are relevant, real and much larger then ourselves.  History is made real when people are highlighted, rather than dates, names and places—especially when Providence is seen and God is made known. Purposeful history is when we find the point of it all, look at what it led to and examine the consequences and what is the result.

History is boring today because:

·         We don’t have stories

·         We don’t have purpose

·         We don’t have consequences

Jebediah Morris, founding father, one of top three educators in founding era and he described the office of a historian…

He said--a historian is supposed to do three things:

1.       He’s to record the progress of human affairs as directed by the providence of God

2.       He’s to exhibit the connection of events showing how an immense series has produced a cause and effect

3.        He’s to display the character of man and the character of God.

In people like Fredrick Douglas, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr and the vast majority of Western Civilization, their faith made up their purpose in life—in all the things they wanted to do in their life, faith was the driving force and reason. When history removes how someone’s faith impacted their life to please people that don’t like faith, they immediately tell a lie and make history dull and its purpose irrelevant--by not telling the truth.

So if Jesus transforms us and the Truth in history gives rational thought to people, then how should they then live? We should live a life centered on the Word of God and thus from that develop a worldview centered on the bible.  The bible should instruct us in how we live, beliefs, decisions and everything in our lives.  The founding fathers of America believed in this biblical worldview and they lived in a time when pastors taught a very practical Christianity from the pulpit. It was the pastors who taught the founding fathers to value freedom, liberty and that rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God. 

When Moses broke off from Pharaoh, he, along with his people, with the help of God rebelled against Egypt. Likewise, when the apostles were brought before the high priests, they obeyed God:

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29

Politics was practiced by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. to help bring about civil rights for blacks in America. It was practiced when William Wilberforce worked to end the slave trade in England. It was also practiced when America adopted the Constitution as its supreme law of the land. The Constitution and the Declaration are biblical documents which reference the bible numerous times and the rights we derive through laws and our liberty is based upon biblical verses. 

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Exodus 18:21 – This is one of the verses which we should give thanks for our Republican form of government.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6

The whole counsel of God is left out of modern Christianity, because it has been forgotten. Like the reading of the Book of the Law of Moses in Ezra and Nehemiah we need to teach what was lost and proclaim from the roof tops that everything that Christ taught. For he says in Matthew 28 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Christ didn’t want us to just evangelize, he wanted us to teach all that he commanded (the whole bible) to those who are both of the Kingdom of God and those who are not. That is, Jesus wanted us to teach the whole counsel of God, not just give salvation speeches. It must not be forgotten that salvation is most important but that isn’t all that Christ taught. He taught about how to live among fellow believers and those who weren’t, how to humble yourself and how the greatest of you will serve and how we are saved by grace—through the gift of God and created to do good works. He taught about what types of taxes are bad (such as a tax which is partial to one group of people over another). He taught about the importance of family, love and life (traditional family, marriage and anti-abortion). He taught about how he created everything and how we were made in his image (anti-evolution, anti-materialism, anti-communism). 

These beliefs and ideas are just a small part of what it means to have a world view which is shaped by God and his Word, rather than the “philosophies of men.” Therefore God reveals his wisdom through a biblical worldview to a people that doesn’t lack “knowledge” of his historical death upon the Cross and believes in the Truth—that the Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us as Jesus Christ; God, Savior and Judge.

What is truth and is it important?

The famous words of the Roman governor of Judea Pontius Pilate were “what is truth?” Jesus Christ, God in the flesh and the only person in the whole world who could have told Pilate what “truth” was told him that he had the truth but Pilate didn’t care and this was the greatest crime of all—because the one person who could have given him the truth was standing right before him. And like Pilate most people do not care about the truth but more importantly we have lost a sense of the absolute truth. Everyone believes what “they believe” is the truth but most do not use coherent arguments to understand if what they believe is logical.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”  Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” – John 18:33-38

When Jesus says “My kingdom is not of this world” He was showing Pilate that his kingdom and the people who would be in his kingdom do not belong to this world, because this world is going to die, along with everything in it. When Jesus comes back to this world, he will burn it and destroy it and there will be no America, Europe or nation left; because this world will pass away and be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth--which will never pass away, because it will be eternal. Pilate is confused by this statement because he is thinking in human terms; as if Jesus will rule as a political kingdom would.  Jesus then tells him that he was born to give witness to the truth and Pilate says “What is truth?” Jesus says everyone who listens to him knows the truth. What is truth? According to Webster’s Dictionary, truth is “conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be.” Truth is the most important question that anyone can ask, because without it you have only lies and the father of lies is the Devil.  Everyone who does not believe the truth belongs to the father of lies.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. – John 8:34

Today we don’t like talking about the truth. In fact we came up with a way to completely disregard the truth in order not to offend anyone. This new way to disregard the truth and replace it with a lie which isn’t so offensive is called political correctness or PC. It is politically incorrect to suggest that Jesus ever said anything like:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6 

This is an absolute statement, that is, it makes a claim that if you do not follow “the way” of Jesus (Jesus is truth itself) than you will not go where Jesus is going but go to the place which was made for the “Devil and his angels.” Jesus is saying that he is the representation of truth itself and Buddha can’t save you, Krishna can’t save you, Allah can’t save you, not even your own good works can save you—only Jesus can save from people going to hell. Do you think that might be offensive? Yes to those who do not believe it, this is certainly offensive. The bible makes no claim to be politically correct, in fact it is the very opposite. The bible even says that its message is foolishness to those who do not believe the Truth. 

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Truth of Christianity is both inclusive and exclusive; it is exclusive because it claims to be the only Truth and that there is no other “way” and it is inclusive because no matter whom you are and what you have done, you will be accepted as equal in the body of Christ. Truth by definition excludes something, because something cannot be and not be in same sense and in the same relationship but I will come back to that in a moment. The reason why political correctness was invented was to muddle the truth.

What did the serpent say to Eve in the Garden of Eden? “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?” The serpent (Devil) wants to confuse us and by failing to trust the Truth which is God, we make God out to be a liar. Jesus was found without sin; God does not lie.

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. – 1 Peter 2:22

Political Correctness was started by a group of Marxists around World War 2. The Communists discovered that in order for their ideology to flourish, they needed a better strategy and so they invented a way to go around the truth. Instead of using economics as Karl Marx had envisioned, they would use the culture. The Communists understood that their beliefs would never be accepted in society if they said what they believed outright—so they hid their beliefs behind a façade of lies and half-truths. Take for instance the feminist movement; they could attack western culture for its oppression against women but they would never mention how women were treated in ancient China or any other society—because the attack was never meant to bring out the truth (although for some people It was), it was to criticize western culture and ultimately destabilize society as a whole.

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. – Romans 1:25

Truth is embodied in a person (Jesus) and people have the ability to think and it is this ability which is least used. As an example, let’s say someone says “how can God be truth and why can’t their be multiple ways to God?” The reason God is truth is because there is no other being which we can rationally think about which is “higher” than God. When I say “higher,” I mean more omnipotent and all-knowing as well as omnipresent. The reason is that God is God and there is nothing and no one which has his point of view; clarity, truth and understanding.  Whether you look to science, logic or morality, there is an absolute truth claim to ideas which can be known. Logical absolutes exist in science and we can understand logical absolutes in the coherence of an argument itself by looking to the three laws of logic. The three laws of logic are:

1. The Law of Identity
2. The Law of Non-Contradiction
3. The Law of Excluded Middle

The law of identity states that A is A. An Apple is an Apple. In other words, something is what it is. If something exists, it has a nature, an essence. For example, a book has a front and back cover with pages. A car has four wheels, seats, doors, windows, etc. A tree has branches, leaves, a trunk, and roots.  This also means that anything that exists has characteristics.  We recognize what something is by observing its characteristics.  You know that a tree is a tree because you see its branches, leaves, a trunk, etc. 
     Furthermore, if something has an identity, it has a single identity. It does not have more than one identity.  In other words, if something exists it has a set of attributes that are consistent with its own existence.  It does not have a set of attributes that are inconsistent with itself.  Therefore we can easily conclude that a cat is not a parachute. An Apple is not a race car. A tree is not a movie.
     The law of non-contradiction tells us that A cannot be both A and not A at the same time and in the same sense. In other words, something (a statement) cannot be both true and false at the same time and in the same way. We use the law of non-contradiction constantly in discussions and debates because we are naturally able to recognize when someone is contradicting himself.  If I were to tell you that yesterday I went shopping and then later I told you that yesterday I did not go shopping, you would be correct in saying there was a contradiction. A contradiction occurs when one statement excludes the possibility of another and yet both are claimed to be true. Since we know that both cannot be true, we see a contradiction.  From this principle we can conclude that truth is not self-contradictory. This is a very important concept. Let me repeat it. Truth is not self-contradictory.  
     The law of excluded middle says that a statement is either true or false. For example, my hair is brown. It is either true or false that my hair is brown. Another example: I am pregnant. The statement is either true or false. Since I am a male, it is not possible for me to be pregnant.  Therefore, the statement is false. If I were a female, it would be possible for me to be pregnant (given normal bodily conditions). A woman is not "kind-of" pregnant. She either is or is not pregnant - there is no middle position.  The law of excluded middle is important because it helps us deal in absolutes. This is particularly important in a society where relativism is promoted and truth statements are denied.

As people who have studied most religions know, they are not just different but fundamentally different and most claim to be the one “truth.” Therefore there is no such thing as all roads leading to God. It says in Acts that:

 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12 

That is an absolute claim and people who think morality can exist apart from God commit the same error. Morality must come from somewhere; otherwise it would only be someone’s opinion. C.S Lewis says in his book Mere Christianity “Isn't it amazing that even young children have a sense of right and wrong, even at an early age? This inherent morality seems to be already present at the earliest stages of childhood. Just watch any children play together and you'll hear, "That's not fair!", "You cheated". There is an innate sense of justice that adults also have. This internal morality is universal and is found in all cultures and nations and peoples groups. For example, most cultures universally believe it is wrong to kill innocent people. This is found in agnostics, atheist and all of the world's major religions, including Christianity. Where did this in-built sense of morality come from?” Lewis understood that without a moral absolute, such as “Thou shall not steal” than we are simply giving our own opinions. Now-a-days, most people think that tolerance is a far better road to drive on than truth. Tolerance is the cherished word today. Thou shall not judge is the most known bible verse in America today and for good reason. Yet we fail to realize that without judging, we wouldn’t even be able to understand that judging is wrong! When the Bible says do not judge, it means that you should not judge without first judging yourself and in another sense it means do not ever condemn someone—like saying “you are going to hell and there is nothing you can do about it!” This is evil, because it assumes that you know without a shadow of a doubt where that person is going after death but I digress, tolerance is made to be more important than truth and justice. However the truth is intolerant because it assumes something that is and something that isn’t. For instance murder is always wrong and that is intolerant towards murderers. Likewise God is intolerant of only one thing, sin. This is why absolute morality must take precedence over tolerance, because without it there can never truly be any authoritative good or evil, because morality would be left to individual people’s opinions. Some of the most famous philosophers and atheists understood this and our founding fathers understood that without Christianity, there could be no absolute morality or truth, because truth and morality depend upon something other than what individual people think; otherwise it is just mere opinion. Morality must have a moral lawgiver/God and so does truth.

In order to have a rational discussion there must be a coherent reality of truth and no illusion. There is no illusion which can sustain itself, because there must be something which gives life to the illusion. So what is truth? Truth is a person, who is called Jesus Christ. Jesus claimed to be “one” with the Father God. C.S. Lewis once made the argument that Jesus is either a liar, lunatic or Lord. Jesus made some incredible claims about himself; he claimed to be one with God, able to forgive sins, etc. Jesus is Lord and he is the way the Truth and the Life. The Truth is important, because without Him, nothing will ever make sense.

References -

Carm.org – Critical thinking school

Webster’s 1828 dictionary

Reformation Study Bible ESV

Bill Whittle – After burn

Ravi Zacharias

C.S. Lewis – Mere Christianity

Some favorite things of mine

I love reading. I love to study as well as learn new things and have a library of books that I own but still need to read. While growing up, I primarily read the Harry Potter series, the Chronicles of Narnia and the Inheritance series. I loved reading those 3 different fantasy novels and their corresponding sequels but besides that, I had little interest in reading anything else. As I got more into politics, I decided to read a few political books and then history books. Thereafter, I decided to read Mere Christianity and by that time, I could read basically anything and enjoy it. In the last year I have probably read over 80 unabridged audiobooks and 40 hard copy books. I love studying into the classics and understanding the beautiful ideas which help shaped western civilization. There would be no private property or liberty without the writings of Biblical authors, Greek, Roman and Christian authors and those who fought to preserve freedom or the world from being enslaved. I have a very extensive list of books that I have in my wish list and hope to eventually read. Here is a list of some of my favorite books, movies and resources.

My favorite book is my bible. 

My 10 favorite books  –

The Left Behind Series – This is like the tv show “24” on steroids! This series is long but it is very intense and drags you into the semi fictional/biblical prophecies of the end times in a way which leaves you clinging onto every word. You will grow and learn a lot from this series as well. 

The Chronicles of Narnia – A Christian classic. Tells the biblical story--through the use of talking animals and a strange world of mystery and fantasy. It is beautiful story of how there are things greater then ourselves and great adventures to be had, if we follow the “narrow path” of truth.

Mere Christianity – One of the greatest Christian classics of all time and my introduction to Christianity. C.S. Lewis is a great introduction to that faith which has so much love, faith, rational and logical depth—and charity not in the temporary state of man but in the eternal Providence and merciful plan of a God who created eternal beings who have the option to choose to live for themselves or for the love of all.

God’s Smuggler – An autobiography written by a man who lived the life of Jason Bourne, in all of its intensity--except for the benefit of God. He visited the worst of the Soviet states during their prime and smuggled bibles as well as shared the Gospel with thousands who lived under tyranny.

Liberal Fascism – If you want to understand how our society has gotten to this point in history and what the founders of modern liberalism accomplished, read this book. Hitler was not a man of the right but of the left. If you think it can’t happen in America, this book will help you understand that it already has happened in America and we have just forgotten about it.

The Consequence of Ideas – My favorite R.C. Sproul work. Sproul provides an amazing description of Philosophy from that of pre-Socrates-era, Augustine and lastly Freud. His book captures beautiful ideas which shaped the western mind about God, reality and truth.

One thing you can’t do in heaven – Evangelism. This was very convicting and really helped me understand the importance of the Gospel. This guy makes most people who evangelize--look lukewarm.

The Triumph of Christianity – This work is like a summary of all of Rodney Stark’s incredible books on Christian history. It doesn’t cover all of Christian history but it does completely destroy the arguments that Christianity was anything but a blessing to women, minorities, slaves, freedom, science and the world. Everything that you may have been taught about the Christian faith does a 180 in this powerful book.

When God writes your love story – This is a beautiful story of how two people can be so in love with God that they devote their courtship to pleasing Him. Their journey is filled with great insights into how we can fail to live for God when our need for relationships becomes our idol. This book and “When Dreams come true” really changed my perspective on how to live for God.

The Cure – The cure is a short but powerful book about how we can so often fall into the legalistic mindset of trying to do good ourselves to please God and how most people will never get out of this mindset or the idea that they are doing “good.” However, the Word of God teaches us that we are not “good” or saved by works but faith and no matter how much we try to be good, there is nothing we could do to please God apart from trusting Him and what he did for us upon the cross.

My 10 favorite documentaries/movies – 

The American Heritage series/ Building on the American Heritage series – Both of these will completely reshape your idea of America and blow your mind. We have been lied to and told that America was born a secular nation, after watching this; you will wonder how we have lost so much of our own history. 

Drive by history: Ancient history/ Drive by history: Israel – Best overview of history in video format I have ever seen. This guy covers a lot of material, is very interesting and funny!

Monumental – Life changing documentary about the Pilgrims and their journey to America. This is worth watching just for the incredible monument which should have been taught to every American and should be more famous the statue of Liberty.

The Left Behind trilogy – A good depiction of the first two books in the series. 

Ben-Hur – Greatest movie ever made. I love Ben-Hur. The story is centered on the Roman and Jewish culture in the first century A.D. and beautifully captures a part of Christ’s story.

The Lord of the Rings – My favorite movie is all three of these. Everything about it is epic in scope and is probably the greatest recreation of the Bible’s story from the perspective of a fantasy story.

180 – Life changing. 180 shows you how you view life, can shape the rest of your worldview. Have probably watched it about 10 times.

Lee Strobel: The Case for Christ, the case for faith and the case for a creator – A former atheist turned Christian, shows the evidence for the Christian faith from science, history and biblical prophecy. The evidence he provides is very powerful.

Agenda – Clarion call to wake America up! This shows you how the communist agenda of the Soviets has basically been accomplished in America and most people don’t even realize it.

The Third Jihad – An enlightening look into the radical world of Islam from a peaceful Muslim--who wants to warn America. Shows you how determined Muslims are to destroy American culture and replace western society with Islam and Sharia law.

My 10 favorite news and study resources – 

Drudge Report – Simply the easiest and most efficient of all news sites online and my favorite.

The Blaze – My second favorite news site but is even better then Drudge in some ways. Glenn Beck is my favorite radio host. He is extremely informative, interesting and funny.

Dennis Prager – Besides Glenn Beck, Dennis Prager is my favorite conservative radio host. He is one of the reasons for my conversion to Jesus Christ.  The guy has the most brilliant mind and has truly a wise insight into almost every issue in life.

ligonier.org – R.C. Sproul has taught me many things and is a gifted teacher of systematic theology and philosophy. His Reformation Study Bible (ESV) is truly a blessing and is my personal bible.

Wallbuilders.com/Wallbuilders radio – I believe David Barton and his work will be forever remembered in America as the reason why America survived. His work in recovering our Christian heritage in American history is simply without parallel and I believe everyone should study his work.

CARM.org – Great resource in defending your faith and understanding Christian doctrine, apologetics and logic. I especially enjoy their online course on the study of logic and critical thinking. 

gotquestions.org – A resource which I use frequently if I have a question that I need answered on basically anything to do with the Christian or Catholic faith.

theresurgence.com – Deep thought and reflection upon God’s Word and on equipping Christians with tips on bible study, prayer, leadership, etc. Mark Driscoll is an amazing teacher and my favorite pastor.

Movie Guide.org – I use this with basically every movie I see. I used to watch a lot of movies and still do watch quite a few. Movie Guide helps me know if a movie is entertaining and if it isn’t too anti-God and liberal.

conservapedia.com – Is sort of like my personal Wikipedia. It has many citations and great resources for study and quick reference.