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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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A Call for Difficult Questions
Posted on March 25, 2009
Filed Under The Truth Project, Worldview |
In May, we will resurrect the Truth Project classroom and film a new series of half-hour “classes” that will be geared toward preparing a High-School student for the battle they will be facing on the university campus. That battle will come from three major fronts:
–the classroom, where a majority of professors do not hold a favorable view of evangelical Christian students or their beliefs;
–campus life, where the party scene, alcohol and sex beckon; and
–internally, where a lack of solid foundations, answers, and a confident faith in the truth claims of Christianity fall prey to a multitude of powerful desires and passions, hormones, and a hunger to be significant—all in a new world where boundaries do not exist and the enticing calls never seem to cease.
Although this may sound bleak, I believe that our young students can not only survive this battle but also thrive in such a way that they can be a driving force for revival at their schools.
But, they must first be prepared. And that is why we are developing this series. Our prayer is that the Lord will use this new series in conjunction with the Truth Project to be a major part of that preparation. There are already many great opportunities for parents and students to get ready: Summit Ministries and its wonderful material or Impact 360 for those who want to spend a full year in preparation, as examples. I encourage parents to seek out these opportunities because your child is about to enter one of the most hostile battlegrounds they will ever face in this culture.
Our effort will be to concentrate on the specific questions that trip them up and the foundations that will provide them with a reasonable, and winsome, response. But, fundamentally, we want them to have an internal confidence that will sustain them in the heat of the battle. We want them to recognize the issue and know that they have walked through it before and that the biblical position is not “a blind leap of faith” at all. In fact, they will recognize that the attack itself is actually resting on pretty shaky ground.
So, all that said, I would like to issue a call for your “most difficult questions”—questions that either you or those you know have wrestled with. These are questions about God, about the Bible, about Jesus, about Christianity and religion, about truth and faith and evil and suffering and the Gospel of Thomas…any and all.
This will be of great help to us as we make our final preparations.
Thanks!
P.S. Students must not only be prepared, but they must have “authentic” Christian fellowship on campus—not just meeting once a week for pizza, singing and a message. I’m talking about the “one another”, locking of arms, “Band of Brothers” kind of fellowship. I think it’s the kind that Jesus and the Scriptures talk about. The kind we, unfortunately, don’t experience in our churches today, so our kids don’t have much of an example to follow. We need to talk about this some more. It is absolutely critical. No soldier can be expected to fight and survive in the battle alone.
Comments
195 Responses to “A Call for Difficult Questions”
Praise the Lord.
May God bless your efforts.
YES!!!!! Several senior kids we are close to are entering college…..when and how do we get our hands on this material? God is good and timely!
Del,
I am very much looking forward to this. Great idea. I have been teaching senior seminar at our Christian school. While we spend a great deal of time discussing worldview issues, I am constantly telling them that the most potent weapon the enemy has for them on the campus is the cute girl or guy who invites them to bed or the keg party that is always beckoning. I can’t wait to hear what questions you get and look forward to your answers.
Grace and peace,
Mark Bates
I have begun viewing this series and it is a real eye opener! Since this has opened the eyes of my heart to things I never even imagined, I can only imagine what this series will do in opening the eyes of our youth! Only the truth can set us free and until we accept and live by the precepts set before us by our Creator, then and only then will we have a truly meaningful life! Just remember-Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in this world! Praise God and love always Bruce
Hooray for shorter videos! Our son has shown them to his high school friends, and we have an adult group running in our home. We are loving the ideas, but are finding the length to be a challenge.
Thank you for targeting our young people. They need all the support they can get.
Del,
I just finished leading the 12 tour journey of the Truth Project at my church. One of the subjects discussed during the last meeting was how could such information be properly delivered to the very young adult to prepare them for the onslaught of worldly behavior and thinking that is found in the college scene today. It’s as if you were reading our minds Dr. Tackett…!
This is an answer to my (our) prayers! I have a 16 year old daughter who is just two years away from leaving home for college. If there is ANYTHING I can do to help with this effort Dr. Tackett, please let me know…
Yours, In Christ
Dan…
Del,
I believe one of the most difficult questions the next generation will need to address is to determine where they should stand when one compares what sometimes seems is two distinct “flavors” of christianity. One flavor comes with perspectives from known voices such as Jim Wallis, Tony Compolo, and Brian McLaren. Every one I plan on seeing in heaven but on earth their perspective is challenging to me. Which brings the second “flavor”. Call it traditionalist, if you want. Known voices such as yourself, Chuck Colson, and Franklin Graham, being just a few.
Todays student, I believe needs to understand the differences in these two philosophies and decide whether or not they are mutually exclusive or can you develop a “spiritual worldview” that encompasses both. Can your relationship with Christ be strong enough to defend against or protect for either the “postmodern” view, the “traditional” view, or both?
I know the Body of Christ is wonderfully diverse in a divine way, but sometimes these two perspectives make it difficult to recognize the real Enemy of our souls who wants division even within the Body.
Still learnin’ myself at 47,
Dennis T
The one thing I find extremely important, and rarely covered is how to avoid a crisis of faith when a professor or fellow student can demonstrate that well meaning parents and Pastors are far off on their facts. As people we are often misinformed on small points, but even smart kids can begin to doubt big issues (for instance the truth of the Gospel) if they are convinced they were lied to on small things.
While on a deacon board, I advised that the Sunday sermons not be posted to the church website until someone “fact checked” them. As unimportant as it may seem, I was most concerned with the sermon illustrations, because well known stories are often slightly misquoted, but easily checked.
I am so excited about this I am printing the blog and passing it out at my group’s meeting tonight and at church on Sunday. I can’t wait to see it!
What a wonderful tool for young people and for parents of them.
May God bless your faithful efforts…
Having watched the first 5 Truth project videos (I’m currently in a group, were just not finished) I think you’re doing an excellent job preparing people for hard questions with great Biblical/scientific/philosophic rejoinders.
If there is one thing Christian high schoolers need, it’s a firm foundation, passion, and wisdom in how to share the “good news”.
They have to be stirred to be truth seekers on their own. Once they experience authentic understanding for themselves, then they will fill confident that they are IN THE TRUTH
Yes, the shorter videos seem to be needed.
I love The Truth Project, but for a lot of people my age, the scripture references just fly past em.
It’s unfortunate, isn’t it? Seems we are being taught to absorb, but not to process.
Some questions that I’ve seen people ask/wrestle with. That I’ve wrestled with:
How do we know our calling?
Isn’t it judging someone when we say what they believe is wrong? When we think it?
How do we know the Bible is accurate?
I’m asking around - I’ll post back here with more! (I’m sure the fine students at The Institute will have plenty of questions for you as well!)
So glad you’re continuing on with the work!
Another fine institution (though a little lacking in the theology) is Teen Mania’s The Honor Academy for those looking. (Where I’m headed in August!)
Thanks again Del and team!
God bless!
Bryan
The biggest question I think our young people have to face is “How can you believe in a faith that says it is the ONLY WAY? With global economy and global awareness at the forefront, our kids will be labeled as backward to hold to a World View that is exclusive.
If intelligent desing is true, why would a benevolent creator make, or cause to be made, such creatures as poisonous baccteria and black widow spiders, etc.
Not sure if this is the place you wanted the questions, but here are 2 that came up:
1)
Not sure if this is my hardest question, but it is one of them. On the one hand the Bible says that if a group of people do not have the law, they are a law unto themselves, and thus will be judged through Christ based on their hearts. Why then did Christ instruct us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, when many of the laws that were … Read Moregiven to the Jewish nation really only serve to confuse (remember the whole circumcised or uncircumcised debate) other nations that really should only be instructed to Love God and love one another as they love themselves. Shouldn’t the law that they already had “unto themselves” stand as the law that the new covenant of Christ sets them free from? Above and beyond that, a lot of what the missionaries did was simply a “Westernization” of other nations. Christ did not intend that in his great commission did he?
2)
So, can one of you answer the question about the 13 year old muslim… is she going to burn in hell. I answered it, but they did not like it.
Del,
Concerning the commandment you shall not kill, how can we reconcile this with parts of the bible where God calls His people to not only kill but wipe out a certain group of people even woman, children and babies? I understand the part of they’re doing evil and influencing God’s people to do the same, but killing children and babies is a stumbling point for me.
Where can I get information about Impact 360? I have a junior daughter and freshman son and would love to send them!
Looking forward to your next series. I thank God for people like you standing in the gap and teaching us how to do the same. Blessings, Donna
Dr. Del,
Suggested subject: God’s absolute sovereignty and the biblical fact of election and pre-destination.
I know that this is a very broad subject. But it is a critical issue for our young people today. Especially when you consider that modern-day “political correctness” is driven largely by what I call the perception and pursuit of (so called) fairness. For example, if a biblical statement of fact is not complimentary to someone or to a particular segment of society, then it is labeled rude and divisive. There’s the echoing chant of “that’s not fair” when a young person tries to understand how a loving God, who knows the end before the beginning, will purposefully create souls that are pre-destined for eternal damnation.
I guess it’s fair to say there are many adults who have the same problem with this biblical fact. I’ve had many a non-believer say to me: “How can a loving God do this…?”
In Christ,
Dan…
I am so glad you’re doing this. I was raised in a very strong evangelical Christian home, attended Christian school my whole life, and then went on to a Christian college, where I started drinking, using drugs and misbehaving with the opposite sex. My parents’ worst nightmare came true.
I honestly don’t know why I did the things I did … I absolutely knew better. I guess I felt somehow that my parents had stunted my social life by being so hard on me all those years. Now that I’m a parent, the thought of how my parents raised me and all the things I did behind their backs even so scares me to death.
With that said, I am an experienced, published writer and editor. I would love to help you on this project any way I can. It’s always been a dream of mine to work with FOTF.
Right off the top, here’s a couple hard questions:
Why does the Bible say in I Peter 2:24 ‘by His stripes’ we are healed, when some Christians - even very devout ones - are never healed from their diseases?
Also, I know the Bible talks of men being “without excuse” for coming to a saving knowledge of Him … but what about someone raised in another culture, taught of another god, and never told of the one True God? How would that person know any better? Would God send him to hell?
Thank you again for what you’re doing. God bless you.
- Melanie
Here is a question that has put me in a cocoon that I don’t see a way out of because it seems to greatly undermine the story of creation in the Bible:
In the beginning there was only one man and one woman and “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen 1:28)
In order for this to occur incest had to take place.
In a number of scriptures (Lev 18:9-18, as an example) we are told that incest is wrong.
So in order to keep God’s command to “Be fruitful and increase in number;…” Adam and Eve’s children would have had to do something that God later says is wrong - “Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother…” (Deut 27:22)
How can this be?
Also, hasn’t it been proven that the risk of birth deformity is very large among people who practice incest because their DNA carry the same genes, creating a substantially greater probability of a particular birth malfunction being passed on?
If this is so then why would God make it so that in the beginning incest was the only way to procreate?
I am sorry for the question, it makes me feel uneasy to ask it though I really don’t know why - I’m sure there is at least one other person who has struggled with this question.
Thank you,
For His Glory!
Bri-
I am thrilled to see you are doing this set of “tours” for high school kids!
As a result of our adult group some of our high school kids will also be doing the Truth Project to help them prepare for University, College etc. as they step out into the “real” world, on their own.
We had a wonderful group of 12 -15 adults who went through the tours with us and I know we have all been impacted with The Truth Project.
God Bless you and we thank you!!
Lorraine
Del,
I have been through the Truth Project series and absolutely loved it! Concerning questions that might be considered for the pre-college series, I have some thoughts. There seems to be quite a wide distribution of items like the Zeitgeist video that present an idea of Jesus being a character that was modeled after other ancient gods. The truth about these claims would be, I think, a valid subject to address so students are well prepared for this attack.
Another thing I have seen quite a lot of is the other side misusing scripture and also scientific studies to convince many that it is proven that people are born homosexual, which then leads to an argument about how a loving God can make someone designed to sin. It may be a controversial area, but I think one students have a great likelihood of encountering.
Finally, I think a direct addressing of the New Age assault on Christianity and it’s popular ideas that usually will take scripture out of context or skew its meaning.
-Barry
One of the things some of the young people I mentor have mentioned, or their friends have mentioned, basically boil down to defending Biblical authority. Anything you can do to help them defend Biblical authority will give more weight to their answers…it’s hard to use anything pulled from the Bible when the person you’re discussing it with doesn’t believe the Bible is authoritative.
EXCELLENT!!!!
Simply Excellent! Dr. Tackett in response to your comment made in the post script, in particular of “authentic” Christian fellowship, have you given any considerations of presentation for the new material?
Imagine all The Truth Projects attendees that have been so richly blessed some 70,000 + locking arms in churches auditoriums and even stadiums across the country singing Holy Holy Holy, displaying to our students the passion and truth of our Risen Saviour Jesus Christ! Imagine the impact on our kids knowing that we are all locking arms brothers and sisters in Christ with them!
When I was born in the holy spirit, nearly 12 years ago in my 36 th year my question was when do we ever quit being a child of God, and the journey has been simply awesome. The Truth Project has directed me and been essential in knowing just what it means to be “born again”. Knowing him! Directing me to Gods Truth of who he is and will always be!
Everything The Truth Project has done has been with the spirit of excellence and i mean that with all my heart, and as I said to you and Mr. Gary Taylor when we first met in Philadelphia, Our heavenly Father is one day going to say well done my good and faithful servants. I have no doubt. It is all about Jesus! It is all about Truth!
My prayers are with you and the entire staff. Know I am here if i can be of any help. Here am I send me !
in his grip with a passion for his Love!
Pete
Del,
I am so excited to hear about a video series for High-School students! There are numerous topics from TTP that need to be presented in a teen friendly way, especially effects of post-modernism on education, the farse of Darwinism, a right view of God and His holiness, and the many facets of the cosmic battle.
I also think you would be wise to place stress on personal holiness, more specifically sexual purity. The current cultural lies of being a technical virgin have crept in the church and are taking our children captive.
Lastly I think you should have a couple of 3rd or 4th year college students come in to tell the students how harse, intimidating, and hostile these college professors will be toward them simply because of their faith and how imperative it is to band together with other like-minded believers.
Thank you so much for your work here and my family will be praying hard for you as you are doing this much needed work!
Jack
Thanks for this series to you Del, and to the team that will help make it a success!
Question I have been asked and I think are current issues are:
1. Why should I change? My life is ok so far, I’m mostly good but don’t want to commit and look foolish.
2. How can I live mostly good all my life thus far and still not make it to heaven when people from other “rougher” crowds live for the world but then can change on their death bed and be accepted?
Question for your Students and Seminar
Recently heard a young soldier back from the war in Iraq (ask Ravi Zacharias while in Alaska) since he was taught and trained from youth to protect life through battle and war why shouldn’t he do the same for the unborn and destroy those who murder the innocent? Very intense and provocative enough to make me wonder how many young men & women are asking this.
High school students have no problem identifying evil, but some seem inclined to blame God for it. Therefore:
1. If God is good, and there is no darkness in Him, and if He created all there is, and declared it good, where did evil come from?
I am excited about the Truth Project for high school students. Please let me know how I can receive this series.
Thank you.
that’s great news about the new series. I took a science degree at a major Canadian university and as a Christian, a lot of the teachings and mindset at the school directly attack the foundations of our faith. On a unique note, in my 2nd year genetics class, the prof would speak of a God-less origin for the universe, but when something seemed out of place or broken in some aspect of genetics, I remember her making the reference that there seemed to be something, “wrong in the design.” Keep up the good work!
If Christianity is true, and the Holy Spirit is supposed to guide us into all truth, why are there so many denominations and why do they frequently hold contradictory views and truth claims?
Why hasn’t Jesus’ prayer that believers would be one in unity been answered?
Why doesn’t God heal amputees?
Are the ridiculous claims made by other religions any less ridiculous than the claims we make? Why do we dismiss their claims when ours can seem just as crazy?
Do Jews worship the same God as Christians since they deny the Trinity and Jesus as the Son of God?
Will Jews who love God with all their heart, but reject Jesus, go to heaven?
Why does God allow disparate interpretations of the Bible instead of making the interpretation of scripture completely clear, thus avoiding needless doctrinal debates and denominational divisions?
How is infinite punishment (Hell) for a finite decision just?
Were the colonial American Christians right or wrong in their rebellion against England?
If they were right, under what principles and conditions is it right for Christians to throw off their government today?
If they were wrong, is it right for Christians today to celebrate their actions on the Fourth of July?
Five things every Christian high schooler & college student should be able to answer/address:
Can you debunk the virtue of tolerance and defend why you are properly intolerant?
Can you debunk relativism?
Can you debunk multi-culturalism?
Can you defend the pro-life biblical position and state the pro-choice position better than ‘they’ can? (both views are rational, but you must believe certain things to be rational from either point of view).
Can you defend the biblical view of marriage and assert why homosexuality is bad public policy for America?
Trouble is, most adult Christians can’t do the above. We must train the next generation to address these and other issues, having already taught them the “truth.” But if they can’t apply what they have heard / been taught, they haven’t learn it.
Michael
Dr. Tackett,
Here are some questions that might help.
1. Why religion at all?
2. Why this religion over any other?
3. Where is this god today and why can’t I see him?
5. Why is there evil in the world?
6. Where is god in the disasters in the world?
7. Why should I believe this god?
The three focus areas and the well thought out hard questions proposed thus far will be great discussion points for high schoolers. I heartily support the new series based on TTP.
Of equal concern are the relativistic attitudes of our culture, so well mimicked by our youth — any opinion is fine. Such groundlessness is at the heart core of the critical issue of individuals who have self-identified as “Evangelical Christians” that show little if any difference in behavior, attitudes, or ethics from the secular American culture–evidencing few if any demands of biblical standards on their lives. How different these “Christians” are compared to the completely transformed lives we see in the early years of the church. The poll statistics are frighteningly bleak (cf. Barna) about the lack of a Christian worldview amongst adults, much less teenagers. Many “Christians” have become submerged in the American culture of materialism, exclusive individualism, sexual laxity, marital and family dysfunction. Have these “Christians” settled for the ‘cheap grace’ of heaven-bound forgiveness without the commitment to a life of spiritual discipleship in the Kingdom of God?
I have just finished reading Wm. Lobdell’s book, Losing My Religion; his loss of faith is less devastating than his ultimate, calm acceptance of an existence without a relationship with God. He recounts his struggles in letting go of belief as a direct result reporting on the abuse scandals of the Catholic church, which clearly is the hardest question of all, why God can allow unspeakable evil.
Our high schoolers are in a battlefield of eternal proportions, too often with insufficient understanding or interest in meeting the challenge of the prevailing anti-Christian worldview in schools and amongst peers. I have been there, taught there, lost and found faith there.
Godspeed this new TTP for teenagers.
Del,
Thank you for the opportunity to submit questions.
In the search for the “most difficult questions” I have actually consulted my 22 y.o. son, who, having been raised in a Christian home, attended Worldview Academy and Summit Ministries has now politely and respectfully concluded that the Christian faith is pure myth. Below are his “most difficult” questions. If you might have any suggestions for me,personally, in terms of literature, approach, etc. I would be most grateful for any advice. I am grateful that my son and I have a loving relationship and that whenever we are together these are the things we discuss.
May God bless you and your family for your commitment to this critical task.
My son’s questions:
Why should I believe something so outrageous - a man born of a virgin who performs miracles defying physics, is killed, then raised from the dead - and all this having allegedly occurred more than 2000 years ago? What definitive scientific proof exists for the life, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Also there are so many parallels between the story of Jesus and other pagan myths (ex: Osiris, Dionysus,etc)which evolved prior to the supposed birth of Jesus. The story of a “savior” being born to a virgin is an age old story that appears to have emerged out of the same region of the world and around the same time. It would seem, therefore, that the Jesus story evolved from those myths. What hard, cold evidence is there for the life and claims of Jesus Christ?
Since the beginning of man people have believed crazy things, why wouldn’t this be any different?
This is GREAT news! It’s a sad commentary on our effectiveness as Christian parents that it’s necessary at all, but it is sorely needed. Thank you for your commitment to TTP.
A question: How involved should Christians be in social issues and politics? If we focused our efforts on evangelization and discipling, wouldn’t those things take care of themselves? Are we foregoing the best thing by being involved in so many good things?
~Irene
i teach at a public high school and see students from a variety of faith and culural backgrounds trying to understand each other, and usually just giving up and retreating to their own groups…yet how will these students be able to share their faith in Christ with students of other backgrounds when they have this idea that its all okay, all paths lead to God, who am i to judge another’s belief system?….so my tough question is:
What makes my belief in Christianity better than
the religious beliefs/non-beliefs of my college peers?
How do i witness effectively without appearing
“intolerant”(the buzzword of the day rapidly now being linked with acceptance…)? love, janet
Here is a question I got from a high school senior who is going through the Truth Project with me.
We were discussing “relativism” in language–how our culture is re-defining words.
We know God never changes. But if the words we use to help us understand and communicate to each other about who God is (and the words used in the Bible that help us know Him) “change” in meaning, then we find ourselves without an anchor with which to navigate the “journey” of getting to know God. We end up struggling to find the words to know His Truth (absolutes).
In response to the above idea, my student made several assumptions and a asked the following question:
Assumption 1) Human to human communication is all relative and can never know accuracy
Assumption/question 2) translation of Bible was by humans so how accurate is it?
Assumption/question 3) Couldn’t Satan have influenced the Bible translators over the years (not the original authors necessarily who are inspired by the Holy Spirit)?
Assumption 4) Communicating from us to God–there is no flaws or issues since He is God and understands us regardless of our flaws.
So, my student then asked, “I guess i go back to your statement about having an anchor, and ask what is that anchor?”
I’m not totally sure I fully grasped all his assumptions and there are more there in his comments/question that I know I don’t have my finger on.
Also, this is the second time I hear “doubts” presented in regards to loss of accuracy or the introduction of errors in Scripture over the years–easy one to answer, I know, but it seems to be a rather popular attack on Scripture these days. I heard this argument (from a Christian adult who seemed to believe it) just recently weeks after having discussed it with my student.
I’m excited about the new High school edition of the TP. My prayers are with you and the TP team at Focus as you work on this. Exciting!!
Dell, another question I’ve been hearing is about what is “Faith”.
I think the world has “tainted” that word to the point it doesn’t really have the value we as Christians have (if we even know ourselves). Faith, in our culture, is about blind, irrational and biased “belief” in something that doesn’t exist as far as science, logic, or intellect can define. Well, the world would say the same about “Christianity”.
One of my students (TP small group) is very much an intellectual (who likes to ask a LOT of tough questions). More than anything, the TP videos have affirmed his intellect–and that he can believe in a Biblical worldview without leaving his brain at the door–even if at times he doesn’t have all the answers he is searching for (which I certainly can’t keep up and give him…).
It seems to me it has given him renewed courage and encouragement as he takes a stand for a Biblical worldview in his AP English class (defending Scripture against his professor and classmates).
I am looking forward to the new series! The half hour time is perfect for the students to have time to discuss…
I would think that you’d want to include most of what is discussed in the Truth Project already. If they have the basics, the rest should fall in.
The most important thing to address (I think) is a personal relationship with Christ. We need to stress to the youth that they are not going to be under their parents covering any longer and as a young adult, it is time for them to truly decide if they believe what they say they believe. Many of the youth I’ve seen that were raised in the church graduate and then when they begin to make their own decisions and are not having to get permission from parents, etc. they make poor choices and fall away. Many had a childlike faith but never brought it to their grown up life.
They (we) need to understand that they’ll NEVER argue a person into salvation. In school or life, debating with someone (student, teacher or friend) will not bring them to salvation. They might decide you made a good point and join the ‘church’ but faith is what saves, not education. You may change their mind or you may push them farther onto the path their set on but you’ll not ’save them’.
Good works or being good will not save you. Going to church will not save you. Only by faith in Jesus will someone find salvation.
A relationship with Jesus should follow that salvation and the results of the relationship will be the lifestyle changes, etc. As we read the Word and talk to Jesus and listen to Him (in Bible and prayer and sometimes preaching) He’ll let us know if we need to change something… Someone with a good relationship with Jesus is not going to sleep around or do drugs or whatever else comes along. And just cleaning up our act won’t bring the relationship with Jesus.
God bless you in your efforts!! We must get the word out and work with our youth! “Go” Focus on the Family and Del Tackett and may the Lord be with you!!!
Here’s a couple more…
1) Isn’t religion simply a cultural thing? In China and elsewhere, millions have the religion of their families. In America many church leaders grow into the faith of their “fathers” - it’s mostly a cultural thing. If Christianity is true, why does God’s plan provide for most people in the world to subscribe to different “culture-based” religions?
2) Most religions have the same basic foundations, so why does one flavor have precedence? The bible is not exactly black and white, so all bible based faiths are essentially equally valid, right?
3) If God created people for his glory, why is the world running away from God as science and humankind advance?
4) How can you prove God exists?
5) Why should I care? I can be a good person without religion?
I think the greatest focus needs to be defending the Bible. Scriptures have endured for 2000 years and we claim to believe that they are infallible and inspired. But we don’t know why they are and so our faith becomes ‘blind’ for believing them. If Christianity is true, then it must be shown that it is rational and logical. The early church fathers had to prove this in their day.
I’m sure an interesting lesson would be to look at the old heresies that have confronted the church and to look into the past of Church history.
It occurs to me that all too often the approach to help strengthen Christians is an attempt to answer questions. However I believe the beauty of “The Truth Project” is that it looks at God as revealed in the Bible. People ask “Why did God command His people to kill men, women and children? God is sovereign; He does what ever He pleases and He doesn’t have to answer to us, the Bible demonstrates that in its pages. Why did God’s law say that a disobedient child should be stoned. Because we’re to love God first and most; Jesus said the same thing “he who does not hate father, mother, sister, brother even his own life; cannot be my disciple. He has the right to demand that but He graciously reaches to us anyway because if we see the God of the Bible we should be amazed He wants to have anything to do with us…He sent His Son to die in our place. Does that amaze you? I could go on and on but, it’s all there in the Bible.
What a great time for a great project! Godspeed!
One question that I had asked of me when I was in college (back in the iron age) was…”Is scripture the only source available to testify that Jesus was the Son of God?”
I’d love to share your response with others.
These are all such great questions that people have submitted! But I hope you will also teach in general terms about how to deal with a crisis of faith. I think that answering the questions can prepare them a lot but ultimately it is walking through a crisis of faith that makes your faith unshakable. It is there that one learns to trust God and not have to have all our questions answered. Some of the important questions do not have pat, rational answers. You have to know God, and know that you know Him. You also have to learn to trust Him when things don’t make sense. I think even teaching them that they will have doubts that they will have to work through is a good thing. That they can and will persevere through the times of doubting to a deeper love and closer walk with God. We are not supposed to be able to completely understand an infinite, holy God–but we sure can love Him and walk with Him. Thank you for your important work!
One of the most challenging issues that I observe facing my own teenagers is not coming from “the world,” but rather, from within the Christian community. Many self-defined “new kind of Christians” are promoting a theology (known to many as emergent) that wants to re-define much of what we believe as Christians. This type of thinking (characteristic in the writing of Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, Donald Miller, William Paul Young, etc.) is permeating youth ministry, campus ministry, and I wonder how we can equip our young adults to still believe firmly and solidly in the foundation of Christ and the truth of the Bible when even many in Christian circles are calling it into question, or muddying the waters at the very least.
I had a person inquiring about God and Jesus and asked me, “If everything has a beginning then where did God come from?”
My answer was that God said “I am”, He has always existed and that we as humans understand things chronologically, but God is not bound by time. I also shared with them that God was, is, and always will be. Can you give any other information to help answer this person’s question?
Thanks and God Bless You and the effort of the God ordained Truth Project,
In Christ,
Jim
I attend ETHOS, a group at Mars Hill College where my youngest son attends. The group has a speaker each week that explains his/her worldview and how that “keeps you alive and well” on a daily basis. Then there is a question and answer time. These kids need a real biblical worldview to combat the wrong views that are presented and satisfaction in the answers that God reveals in scripture and in creation. I can give you lists of questions that have been asked while I was present or directly asked me after I spoke if you would like. Most of them are about the love of God and how election, predestination, calamity, and fairness fit into that love. They already have their own ideas about loves meaning and mans will. Anything I can do to help would be my honor. May God bless our efforts in trying to serve him in the harvest!
My toughest question I had to work through in college: Why are there completely nice, kind people out who do not at all acknowledge God or are involved in “wrong” religions (homosexuals rank up there with Mormons as the nicest people I know) and then the Christians are so busy defending themselves that they become completely judgmental in the process and are off putting in terms of simply being friendly. Why should I keep following the Christian way and how can I believe it’s good for the world when it seems you can be a perfectly nice, good person without all the rules and garbage that can come along with being a Christian?
Second issue: These kids need to know to “unlearn” the “history” they’ve learned to date. If you’re a product of public school, you don’t even realize what an agenda you’ve been raised with until it’s almost too late. If you were raised in a Christian or a home school, sometimes you don’t realize how different what you’ve learned is from what ‘everybody else’ is learning and then the problme is: how do you reconcile all that? As a Christian, you get sick of hearing how “bad” the world is when you keep coming across these wonderfully kind and much more accepting people mentioned in scenario 1 so it makes you question all that you’ve come to believe as truth which is so different from these ‘nice people.’ But then as a public school kid, it’s very difficult to believe that so much of what you have learned has been skewed…like having to buy into a huge conspiracy theory just to reconcile your faith with your education.
Okay, here is a question I was getting in my recent group that I felt I couldn’t answer adequately.
How do we know that the words of the Old Testament are God’s, and not just the thoughts of men?
And, there are a lot of attacks on cable network programs about the lack of archelogical evidence for many Old Testament stories. How do we address those points.
A question:
How is the best way to respond to obvious intimidation by the instructors?
Del, you and the TP are a major blessing! I’ve led two groups of adults and it was an eye opening pleaser for all. You convinced them and they were personally challenged to get more of the Truth out there. Our youth group also went through it, but for most, it was like water off a duck’s back. They are definitely captive.
Students need to be convinced of the Bible’s accuracy and credibility before they’ll open their minds to its message. Something along the lines of Lee Strobel’s work, perhaps, though highly condensed.
Del,
I hesitate to mention it as I am sure you are already aware, but How to Stay a Christian in College, by Jay Budziszewki would seem to be a great resource.
Chapter Titles: College as Another World, What God Thinks of the World, What the World Thinks of Itself, Talking With Non-Christian Friends, Myths About the Search for Knowledge, Myths About Love and Sex, Myths About Politics, Coping With Campus Social Life, Coping in Campus Religious Life, Coping in the Classroom, The Meaning of Your Life.
These would seem to me to be a rich, age appropriate resource from which to draw.
By the way, we are on our 12th class of The Truth Project and it gets better every time.
Gray
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I loved the Truth Project and made the comment that every child should experience it before entering higher education.
However, most of the ones that were subjected to it did not seem to grasp its truths as I had wished. I believe creating a series for younger people is a God inspired idea. Praise the Lord.
I believe it would be good to teach our young the basic fundmentals of all of the major religions and the history of them in our world. I feel Christianity would speak for itself. Someday they will quesiion why Christianity is superior and the only way to God.
In a university nearby every freshman is shown a film on fundmentalism depicting the handling of poisonous snakes in worshipping God. It makes most of them feel ignorant, ashamed or confused.
The question is, “How can young Christians understand the vast differences in our cultural worship, and in denominations, and still believe in the same God and use the bible as our source?
I will be anxiously awaiting this new series.
Very sincerely,
i know that God’s people needed to make sacrifices to Him so that they would be able to recognize Jesus (the ultimate sacrice) when he came, but why did God need a sacrifice in order to take away our sin? did it have to change hands before it could be gotten rid of? if so why?
There is an attitude on campus here that one’s faith is “personal” so to share the Gospel is made to look like a rude intrusion by a Christian into the life of the one who needs the LORD. I recently read that people will accept Christian witness from family members and friends. When I see a classmate in need, must I wait weeks, months, years to become a friend so I can share the Good News?
This is a real scenario on my secular campus today!
Del,
I am leading a study with folks in my Church, going thru RZIM’s Ministries INTRODUCTION TO APOLGETICS. This is an incredible series. I would love to see the same type series geared towards High School students. Why not consider the same 12 issues as INTRO TO APOLOGETICS is a setting like the classroom in Truth Project? Less Oxford-ness possibly but the same topics.
Um, Make that FOUNDATIONS OF APOLOGETICS. Not Intro
Del, I thank the Lord for you and your team as you turn your attention to the teens.
I empathise with Mary Lou as I also have a 21 y/o son who, after being in church his whole life, says he no longer believes there is a God.
I teach the teens at church and their questions have been “Why did God condone killing of innocent women and children in OT” and “My friends have fun as non-Christians, why would they want to be a Christian”.
Please remember to let us in South Africa have this when its ready, we don’t have Christian gap year programs yet.
God Bless you in your endeavours.
We are working with our US Military troops here in Germany, many of them right out of High School and Basic Training. They are away from their homes and support group for the first time and in a foreign country where many temptations await them. They too need this foundation of truth and a community where they can band together. We need to make the truth available to them in a way they can understand and apply. We praise God for Focus on the Family, Dr. Del Tackett and the Truth Project. May God continue to lead and guide you and may you continue to obey all He is calling you to. Let’s keep partnering together to make Christ known as we grow to know Him more each day.
This is a great idea - I am really looking forward to this format being available. I am currently leading the Truth Project for a group at church, and am considering leading it for students in our homeschool group. I am also a lay youth leader and a homeschool mom of teens, and am seeing such a need for young people to be prepared for the challenges to faith that they will experience in college. Even if they’ve already been exposed to the evolution worldview in a high school setting. I will start taking notes on the questions and challenges for which they need answers.
Thank you for the Truth Project. It is a valuable resource and inspiration. I teach and counsel college students at a secular university.
The apostle Paul states in Romans 7:18-20 (NIV):
”I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
Here are some questions that relate to applying the truth of Scripture.
How can I become aware when I am evading Scriptural truths that relate to my personal life? I do not want to pass on untruth/deceit to friends, future spouse, kids and grandkids that I have embraced because of Biblical illiteracy, cultural background and sin.
What are some keys to knowing that I am rationalizing sin in my life?
How do I keep the most important, the most important?
How do I overcome roadblocks, external and internal, to loving God with my whole heart, mind, soul and strength?
What do you recommend for a personal devotion time; quiet time with the Lord?
As I spend a good deal of time working with teens to establish a foundation for their faith, a question that often arises is “Shouldn’t I experience other religions so I can know what they are about to make a more informed decision for my beliefs?” How we respond to that question goes a long way towards the students willingness to listen to everything else we say.
#1: The “good person” theology; combat the statement that if God is truly a loving God, then He will realize I’m good and I’ll be saved. I don’t want to be with a God who is not loving.
#2: Evolution has to be up there in the forefront of the battle. Today’s college students are all about technology, and science and are bombarded with media outlets that portray Christianity as archaic and “quaint.”
#3: Defeat the “time element.” Today’s focus is on “things,” and people point out that no overt negative things happen to “bad” people, so where is God’s judgment? Today’s teenagers, and most adults, don’t understand that things happen in their season, and God uses things to His purpose. They don’t realize generations of Israelites lived in exile, and hundreds if not thousands of years pass without “overt” judgment. But just because 5 years is long to us, doesn’t mean it isn’t a blink of an eye to God. Shem and the Canaanites is another example of sin being punished.
Thank you for your work.
Many honest skeptics (and Christians) have difficulty explaining some of the actions and commands of God in the Old Testament. How do we reconcile this with the God of Love?
If Adam and Eve were created sinless, had never seen death and had no knowledge of good and evil, then how did God expect them to make the “right” decision when tempted by Satan? Seems like they were unequipped and setup to fail.
I am so excited that you are creating this program. I have been so burdened for our youth for many years. Having worked in a “Christian” school and having a college age son as well, I have seen first hand what happens to our youth when they are not firmly rooted in their faith.
One area that I would love to see addressed is the area of secular music. Our kids are inundated with it. It isn’t just on the radio anymore. It is also a major part of the video game industry where our children are being taught to imitate the actions, dress and thought patterns of these bands. It would be great if you could explore the side effects of filling your mind with this type of music and games. I have seen a huge trend in many churches to embrace these types of games.
I will be praying for you and your team. I know that Satan would hate to have our youth rooted in the truth.
Wow that was quick. I forwarded last months blog posting to our pator and suggested we put together a mini college prep course for our seniors and he ageed we should pursue it. Now you are making the tools. Thanks
I just started my 3rd time thru TTP andwill start a 4th in 2 weeks. One thing you made me remember is 1859. I was reading multiple bios of Darwin yesterday and they all touted him as a hero. The man who took God off the throne and showed the “truth” of naturalism. It is amazing really.
In the youth program please do all you can to debunk Evolution which is the foundation for most of the deception and insanity we see at work.
Also we do need to hit hard the foundational truth of Christain doctrine which is indeed under attack by many new strains of “christianity”.
I see loads of questions above on healing. We need to address some of the doctrinal distortions being taught in the word of faith movement.
Praying for you Melissa and the family daily. God bless your work.
This effort will be revolutionary for our youth! Thanks for all you are doing to reach the hearts, minds and souls of future generations for Christ! Though my son is only 6 years years old, I want to get this when it becomes available! Who knows (and I fear) what the world and culture will look like for him in 10 years…I am starting now to train him up in the Lord and praying for revival!
A question I have gotten and for which I stumble when I try to answer:
“If God created EVERYTHING, then that means he created sin. If we loves us so much, why would he do that if a sinful life condemns us to eternal hell, not to mention the innocent victims of someone’s sin?” I’ve explained that he created choice, and our choice to do things against his will creates separation, thus sin, however that answer seems weak.
Yes!! I’m a junior in high school and have been waiting for something such as this to share with my youth group. When will the materials be released?
I am so excited about this project! I’ve been through the Truth Project and we are currently using it in our small group. It is so difficult to prepare our young people for the battle they will face. Looking back at my own struggles I know I wasn’t at all prepared and I came from a Christian home. I wasn’t prepared for the questions that people asked me and I wrestled with many questions myself….
How do I know my God is The God?
All of these other people think that way of life is okay, can they all be wrong?
How do I live as a Christian and “fit in” with society?
Eventually I got stuck in guilt over my own wrong doings……
How will God ever forgive and love me?
Why can’t I live the way I’m supposed to?
Where do I turn now?
You are truly a blessing to many, many people!
Dr. Tackett,
The question I have has probably been asked by a lot of archaeologists: If the Torah began as oral history in the Ancient Near East in response to myths and legends such as the “Epic of Gilgamesh”,before it was produced in written form,how does the conclusion to this question affect the doctrine of the infailabilty of scripture regarding Creation and the Fall of Man?
Thank you so much! As a high school student myself, it will be nice to be able to get “prepped” before entering the college world. May God bless you and your efforts.
Read Pat Buchannan’s article yesterday on why Pres. Obama should NOT be allowed to address the graduating class at Notre Dame and not be given an honorary degree…as part of the “govt pillar” and the question is…”Pres Obama says he is a Christian, after examining the evidence, do you think he is telling the truth? Is everyone who claims Christianity, a real Christian?”
Dr. Del, What a great Idea. I completed the Truth Project ministry for our senior youth. We had a group of between 12 and 17 students. Their attenion span was tested at times but it worked out well. We feed them dinner before each lesson. We prayed for each of them by name at every lesson.That little tip seemed to be inportant to them. In the end they were sorry it was over and most continue to remind us how much they got from the series. Two of the students have committed to Johnson Bible College. We look forward to continuing a program with the youth and this just may be the ticket.
Dr. Tackett, you have received many good questions, most dealing with theology which will form the foundation for college kids.
When you deal with the issue of sex, it’s not enough to just give the ‘truth’ commands. On a practical level, what needs to be explained is the extreme harm unmarried sex does to the soul, both woman and man. You reap the consequences all your life.
Thanks for all you have done through the Truth Project. I’m going through it for the second time.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
Praise God for leading the Truth Project to this next step! My passion for this material grows every day and reaching the next generation with TRUTH is of primary importance. I will pray God’s continued blessing on everyone involved for I know Satan and his armies are not happy!
Just a quick not to encourage Bobette - buy the Adventures in Odyssey CD’s for your child. We started our children on Odyssey when they were a year old - listeningn to truth as they went to sleep. All my children are 18 and older and when these tapes came out, I bought each one of them a set- they have enjoyed the memories from childhood, and it has led to deeper conversations on the subject matter after they have listened to them!
1. If we as Christians are to be “tolerant” of others, what should be the biblical/christian response to homosexuality?
2. What about some of the difficult sayings of Jesus? i.e. Matt. 10:37; Matt. 18:15-17; Matt. 19:8-9; These and othes bring up topics that can be hard for a young Christian to deal with.
3. I hope that your series will help college students to look at the horrors ofabortion and how they should respond to it on campus.
First, thank you for the orginal series. I have used over the past two years with my small group of high school boys. At times, candidly, it is over their heads but I believe in challenging them to reach higher, and not lower, when considering what is true and why they should believe it. The new series is an answer to prayer but my request is that you still challenge them to think critically and within the framework of a worldview that is based on the Gospel and not popular culture. The most difficult questions for the students I work with, as a student ministy volunteer, relate to identity. What is their identity based on - who is it based on - and is Jesus real enough in their lives to look to Him as the model? I find that we spend more time trying to entertain youth rather than challenging them on where to find the answers to the question of “who am I” and “why am I here” in today’s turbulent world.
God bless you for what you are doing - and keep the setting the bar even higher!
Dr. Tackett,
We are about to begin our 9th tour in The Truth Project and I have already told the class that I feel lead to share the video series with the Youth Group. Would this series be in addition to or in place of The Truth Project?
I pray the Lord blesses all your endeavors. I look forward to the new series!
I believe in Jesus Christ - have well studied doctrine - am currently a semenary student (surrounded by other students and professors) - go to church - read my Bible - pray - am justified by the Blood of the Lamb - have the Holy Spirit - am sanctified by the Truth (and am keenly aware that sanctification is a process)
O.K. then, that having been said and much more could be said in the same stream, my question is-
WHY AM I NOT BETTER THAN I AM?
Del, This is simply a repeat of what has already been said, but still I feel compelled to encourage you with positive feedback. This project is truly the definition of “Godsend” Please keep us informed of progress and ways that we can help as well as a release date. God bless you for this amazing ministry to the body of Christ. I am leading my 4th group through the Truth Project and am still growing and thrilled to see the growth in my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you.
RESEARCHING
Del, I am elated that you are broadening the borders of this invaluable project into the high school arena. I facilitate a Sunday school class of 16-20 year olds which is largely comprised of churched young people who come from homes where there has been little to no teaching on any of the issues that you address. Most of them don’t even pick up their bibles. Your 1/2 hour high school edition is just what the doctor ordered and as far as I’m concerned, it can’t arrive soon enough. Could you please let me know what the cost will be so that I am adequately prepared and will it be available to purchase in May? Thank you so much and God bless your efforts! Dianne
With a son heading into high school next year, I was almost brought to tears with the news that you are developing this invaluable resource. I strive to keep the dialog open, active and relevant with my son, but I can’t know everything, and I can’t anticipate everything he will encounter. I have been so incredibly blessed by The Truth Project, and I pray that you will have this series available before long so that he can be blessed too. Thank you.
I am a college student and love the Truth Project series. I first went through it with my family and am now leading it with some of my Christian friends on campus. Off the top of my head, these are a few questions that I have been asked and didn’t know how to answer.
1. How do we know God doesn’t lie to us? We say that lying is wrong because it’s against God’s character, but we know God’s character through what he has revealed to us, how did we know he didn’t lie when he revealed himself to us?
2. Why would God create someone who he knows won’t accept him? Wouldn’t it be more merciful to never create them at all?
3. Why does the Bible say that God hardened Pharoah’s heart?
I’ll ask my friends for others.
Regarding subject matter for your series. I think one of the most important thing that high school students (but everyone really) needs to hear is that you are loved just as you are. You don’t have to earn God’s love. You don’t have to DO anything to recieve God’s love, except…unless you consider the act of no longer resisting it an action. You just have to receive it. God doesn’t expect perfection. The world does and it results in young people who either are stressed beyond belief through trying to achieve it, or have given up trying because they are smart enough to know that they cannot achieve it. Once we recognize that we are loved right here, right now, in our flaws and failures, strengths and achievements, the pressure is off and we are able to breathe. The thing I would ask the young people is…Does God love me when I fail? And the Biblical answer, simple, but so much more profound when you, Dr. Del, use your beautiful gift to explain it is a resounding YES! Thanks!
May God bless your work and efforts abundantly!
I would echo many of the questions already raised and in addition:
1. The bible doesn’t specifically mention an age of accountability, so what about those babies who die before having the ability to accept Christ or those not baptized?
2. The homosexual agenda and tolerance/acceptance of the gay lifestyle is particularly strong on college campuses, even the christian school I attended. In my experience, it crept into the classroom curriculm (disguised as multiculturalism) and was promoted throughout all aspects of student life. That being said, how can we equip students (and the entire church for that matter!) to stand up for what is biblically sound while at the same time not coming across as intolerant/hateful, etc, etc.
3. If your other resources have not already done this, it might be helpful to have some sort of comparison chart between the different major world faiths/religions and specify how and why biblical christianity and faith in Christ is the only way to eternal life. Also, as mention in another post, it might be helpful to explain the differences within Christianity itself and what the essential components are for salvation.
Thank you for your efforts!
I think this is awesome as a college student I really feel that this is a great thing a lot of what you said I have seen and I was waiting for something to be done I pray that Gods will be done not only on my campus but also around the world can’t wait to see the Video
God Bless
Ryan
Del,
Thank you for your commitment to this tool that God is using to spur people on to contend with “true truth”, as Schaeffer has described it. We have had high school students go through the TP and they have been challenged, but timing for it has prevented many from committing. I work with CEF summer missionaries and I hope and pray that it is out by next summer so that we can use it to grow them, as they reach out to children with the Gospel. I am facilitating the TP with the staff at our CEF office and. as usual, I am growing as a result of the discussions from the tours.
Again, thanks!
This is great news. Our kids need this!
Del,
The Truth Project is a powerful tool that we can use to change lives. Thank you for it.
I have some tough questions based on my experiences in life and the things I hear young people say.
How can scripture be trusted when we know there are errors in it? Professors like Bart Ehrman have made their career publishing books like Misquoting Jesus and others that provide substantial attacks on the accuracy of the manuscripts used as sources for the Bible. Ehrman is a darling of the media and academia and young people need the tools to defend themselves against his critiques. My own rebuttal is that Ehrman can’t see the forest for the trees. He picks and chooses certain passages that have questionable translations and then uses them to construct an argument that is supposed to call into question the entire body of scripture. However, when the scripture is looked at as a whole, his arguments usually don’t hold up well. In addition, many of his critiques can only be applied to older translation like the King James. Newer versions like the NIV usually contain corrected verses.
Isn’t homosexuality caused by differences in our brains? If God made gay people gay, then why is it a sin? This is a tough one although recently Camille Paglia, a well-known lesbian writer, called the idea that homosexuality was biological preposterous. However, this is not what young people are taught. They are taught that it is biological and therefore God’s fault.
When does life really start? Is it at conception or later than that? This answer needs to be both scientific and scriptural. Kids today are growing up to believe that life doesn’t start until some arbitrary number of weeks in the womb. There is no respect for human life anymore and we can see that by watching the news any day of the week. This argument also needs to be both scientific and Biblical.
How can there be a personal God when He lets a baby die during childbirth or a child die of cancer? Why would a God who loves us allow that? I’ll admit that I have a tough time with that one myself. We are told to pray for the things we want but what happens when parents pray for an innocent child to live and those prayers are not answered? Does God care about us or not?
Can I be bad my whole life and then confess my sins and accept Jesus right before I die and still be saved? Many Christians live this way. They think they can do whatever they want as long as they get right with God just before they die and everything will be okay.
What makes Jesus right and Buddah, Allah, or whoever else wrong? Isn’t there evidence for their existence too? Maybe God appears to different people at different times in different ways. This question is very difficult to confront when you have people like Peter Gomes, the openly gay Baptist minister and theologian from Harvard, says, “Your God is too small,” to anyone who claims Jesus is the only way to heaven.
You have a similar problem with professors like Thomas Sheehan from Stanford who claims to be a Roman Catholic but doesn’t believe that Jesus was divine or born of a virgin or did any miracles. How can student defend themselves against a professor who blasphemes the faith at every turn while claiming to be a believing member of the faith he is attempting to destroy? These professors don’t deny the faith. Instead they try and twist it into something completely opposed to the Bible and claim that the evidence supports their interpretation, not ours.
These and many other questions need to be answered. I urge Focus to continue the Truth Project work and expand on it to cover as many of these questions as possible. Perhaps a Truth Project II is in order for adults as well. The Cosmic Battle will only get worse. If we don’t give believers the weapons they need to fight the battle, we lose and we will lose our children to the lies of the world.
1) If saved why should I worry about my actions; I’m going to Heaven anyway.
2) Propaganda of God wants you to be rich and healthy. There is a void in preparing youth for the attack Satan will bring against them.
3) How to address a professor, when fearing a poor grade for speaking out.
4) Why do the homosexuals think ‘Jesus loves me’ and I am a Christian. Our youth need forceful and direct information to fight this lie.
5) Faith and works. How works become a part of your faith, not a means for salvation.
6) Why are there so many types of Christian denominations and churches; when only one mosque for Muslims.
7) Youth need reinforcement on the Faith that founding fathers had.
These are a few items that youth from my church are dealing with.
God Bless you for your efforts. Also, we all should pray for extra protection for you and this project.
Steven
Where do dianasours fit in creation…or do they?
Del,
Praise God that you are committed to helping our college students. My son, a young Christian, fell prey to the alcohol and partying that went on at his “Christian” college, on the baseball team. In May of 2007, at the age of 23, a senior, he took his life. While I know he’s in heaven, I wish there had been some kind of support system for him in college. When he left home for college, he was on the right track, and while he was firm in his Christian belief, the peer pressure was just too strong, I guess.
Again, thank you for your commitment.
I’m a college pastor and I don’t really have a question, but rather a suggestion. I think the most helpful dynamic that will aid students to continue in their faith beyond high school is to have caring Christian adults who are in relationship with them. Maybe in your teaching you can encourage students to seek out a Christian mentor during their first semester of college. Youth pastors ought to network with campus pastors and help with transitioning students to new churches and ministries.
My experience has been that the majority of students walk away from the faith not because of beliefs, but because of a lack of Christian community.
There are a 3 of questions that I heard Josh MacDowel asked a few years ago that i think youth still stumble over…(1) What is the Gospel? (2) Why did Christ die? (and the answers is not to save His people) (3) Why is it ultimately wrong to commit murder…of any kind?(Since the Commandment is You shall not commit murder…it is not as the King James says..Thiu shall not kill.) (and the answer to the question is not..because it is against the law or the Law)
If they can field these questions then there won’t be anything that a professor or friend can throw their way that they cannot answer. Thanks for letting us help. I hope these are the kind of questions you wanted.
I have lesson 11 of the Truth Project on in the background as I type this (it is Bible study night in our home tonight!) Our bible study group had been very blessed with this study BUT my wife and I have struggled in our attempt to communicate these truths to our 6 children. Our oldest, married and 25 has responded very well to the few he has seen; he would like to take a copy of the whole series back with he and his wife to India on Easter sunday!
Our youngest is a senior in High school (he had the double disappointment of a “No” from both Stanford and Yale yesterday!) and a committed christian BUT we are very worried about the next phase of his life.
My questions are based on my daughter’s experience at a state university after graduating from a Christian school.
1. Why is it acceptable for intelligent people to speak to each other casually with filthy language?
2. Why is it that a class on Women’s Issues almost exclusively only discusses sexual preference, not really anything about real issues of women?
3. My daughter is in a program for future elementary ed teachers. In one of her science classes her teacher spent one session teaching how to deal with parents that don’t believe in evolution or want their children to learn it. How does a Christian deal with this?
Yea, God! Wonderful news! I have been struggling with my unmarried college age niece who has a 8 month old child. She keeps asking why she is being punished by God. The guilt is so strong. She loves her son but raising him alone, going to school, and working takes its toll on her. She still thinks everything is about HER.
And she thinks that lip service to God is good enough. Helping her to understand God’s ways vs our ways is hard when the lie is have it your way. Can’t wait to see what you do with the 30 min version.
Great idea. I’m going to ask my kids what their questions are tonight at dinner and to get back to me in a few days. They have experiences in both home school and public school. I’ll challenge them to ask around and we’ll see what we come up with.
Go for it, this is very important work!
In my church I observe young committed Christians who seem mature beyond their years at times. Objective, Critical thinking is promoted in University however so is Objective, Critical thinking in the Bible. The Laws of the Old Testement, the Forgivenesss of the New Testement provide students with strong foundations on how to live. Young committed Christians observe *wrong living* in the same manner as Adult Christians. Hopefully Universitys will provide students the opportunity to choose Christain Roomates in Residence, as you have noted, they can walk through this learning time arm and arm providing support to one another.
God bless you and your team as you prepare this vital new work.
With liberal theology so invasive among the majority of American churches, it is no surprise that college students leave Christianity in droves. Most of them never had a firm foundation of Christian belief. I hope you will consider this in all your future efforts aimed at young people. I believe the number of so-called Christian students who have any kind of foundation in the true faith is very small.
The truth of the Gospel is thrilling beyond any substitute worldview. Your Truth Project for young people has two audiences: 1) Christian students with at least some solid foundation in the faith, and 2) students who classify themselves as Christians but who have no roots in Biblical teaching and orthodox theology.
There is so much to be done. Our young people need Truth Projects. My point is that there are different audiences, even among self-identifying Christians.
Thank you for your work in Christ’s service, Del. You are in my prayers.
While dealing with university and graduate students, I am often asked about how to balance Truth with tolerance (as the world defines it). Striking this “balance” seems to be the greatest issue my students face, and it often leads them to forgo Truth in favor of tolerance. If you could address the proper understanding of tolerance and how to ’speak the truth in love’ I think students of the next generation will be well served.
Thank you!
I think I have two hard questions, the first especially for students.
How much should I risk my grade and the money thats involved disagreeing with my professors?
How does one choose a correct path while following the Scriptures admonition to obey kings and their ministers, when we live in a representative democracy where all presumably owe their wordly allegiance too the Constitutuion, Bill of Rights, and fellow citizens when theyre rights are usurped by the people that were sworn too serve us.
Whew! Long sentence. Old question of our forefathers.
I am also excited about your new project. I was enlightened by the Truth Project about our history as Christians and as Americans, so much so, that I am considering becoming an American History teacher. I am past College and Career age, but I think that it’s so important that our Children and Grandchildren have an education based on the “Truth”. I will be praying for your “Youth Truth Project”.
Thank you for continuing to serve the One True God wholeheartedly! May God continue to bless you and Focus as you serve him!
In some of my philosophy classes they question the existence of God by attacking the classic arguments for his existence. Thomas Aquinas’ first cause and Anselms ontological argument to name a couple. I think those are typical attacks.
Shoot not just the high school kids that are going to colleges. The whole school systems need this!
I am going through the Truth Project now, and I am so excited to hear about this new project. What a need it will fulfill and what a revival it will bring! Praying for this project and all involved…
Thank you for doing this!
I recommend the book “The Reason for God” by Timothy Keller as a good source of most difficult questions.
http://thereasonforgod.com/
How to understand a holy, perfect master who is a loving, merciful father and all the contradictions that presents.
It’s funny that my “most difficult question” is still the same after 20 years. It’s a question, or rather a revelation, that has complicated my trust in a God whom I know to be good, whose generosity and grace extend beyond eternal life without pain and tears and sin, whose love for me is evidenced in countless ways.
20 years ago my father died. This occurred less than a year after my salvation. I and many others prayed and believed he would be healed. I never expected him to die, but he did within the 3 months doctors allotted him. Sometimes the Bible seems to provide a formula (have the elders anoint with oil, fast, pray the prayer of faith, etc) and yet I learned through his death that a formula is not what heals people.
20 years down the road I’ve had some “a-ha” moments, times when God hasd given me a piece of the picture to help me through the doubt. But, when push comes to shove and my sinful nature desires authority, it always reminds me: there is no formula, no guarantee. That’s when I get scared: there’s no guarantee my children will be Believers; there’s no guarantee my children will walk in His ways; there is no formula.
So my question is: what are the guarantees? What good are we guaranteed in this life? What does the “abundant life” look like and how does it compete with the world’s success?
Now, I’d like to spend some time defending myself and my relationship with Jesus so you all don’t think I’m a crank, but it seems anti-climatic. I love Jesus and am loved by him, but I’m still allowed questions and confusion. After all, if I were perfect, I’d not be here writing this; I’d be with the One who will perfect me.
What a wonderful idea to reach out to young people with The Truth Project. A few years ago I was startled by two elementary school girls (in 5th and 6th grades), both stating that they NEVER wanted to get married or have children. They had witnessed many divorces and apparently did not want to bring forth any more children into this world. It surprised and concerned me because it was so different than what I wanted when I was their age. As we know, the secular world provides many remedies to this budding negative attitude towards marriage and children. So I would hope that you could and would discuss how marriage and children fit into God’s Plan for our lives. And that the alternatives to His Plan are the big lies that surround us.
Thank you so much for The Truth Project. It has been such a blessing and revelation to me and to so many others. I will be starting my second session soon.
A question I dealt with tonight in a ladies Bible study,
“In a world where political correctness is a top priority, How do we separate ourselves from those who choose alternate lifestyles etc. and still love them and live in their world without them feeling that we judge them?”
My husband and I have one week left in our “journey through the Truth Project”. It is has been one of the best things we have ever done!
Thanks Dr. Tackett and Focus on the Family for your insight!
I have two daughters who will be going to college soon, one this year and the other next year. I believe that this will be a valuable tool that we can them and others.
We are working on helping a student who goes to school with my daughters. She has been in foster care for some time and now that she is 19 her previous family has out her out with only two months of school left. With not address the school will have to release her. We will do what we can and I believe that this information will be very vital for her and others in her situation.
We talk about a relationship with Christ being the only important thing, then all we ever talk about is changing our “bad” actions? What’s important our relationship with Christ our just making “good” people?
Hope this helps!
I find the simple things throw off our students. For example, they will say: OK so God is outside of time and outside of the box so he didn’t have to be created and I don’t have to think in terms of who created him if he created everything else or what did he do before he created the universe since he lives in all time at the same time, but… why would he create the universe and stupid people like us in the first place? Why didn’t he just create another god like himself to hang out with? It could have been powerful and had free will and chosen to love him too? It just makes it seem like a cruel experiment to put us on this hell on earth and leave us here with Satan because we seem so tiny and insignificant compared to a god who could design the universe. (try explaining that one to a 13 year old who won’t even fully accept that the Bible is even true, much less that a powerful god would love him)
One of the lingering questions from our youth continues to be asked of adult believers: What about those in Africa or other parts of the world who have never heard about Jesus or the Salvation message?
Another: What of Creationism vs. Evolution (that you cover well but needs to be addressed in age-specific context).
As a college professor who has seen countless Christian young people make ship wreck of their faith, I URGE you to not just encourage these students to find a “band of brothers” for accountability and growth, but to plug in to a church that will be biblical in preaching of the word (2 Timothy 4:1-4), in fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25), accountability (Hebrews 3:12-15) and the exercise of authority (Hebrews 13:9). Often the truth arguments alone are not enough. Our sinful natures rebel even when we know and can argue the truth. Often a Christian peer group is not enough because these kids need to see how more mature believers negotiate difficult situations and how they relate to their God and their world. PLEASE talk about serious involvement in the local church. It’s the biblical thing to do!
Dr. Del,
I’m hesitant to add any more suggestions to this rapidly growing list for fear of repetition.
Might I suggest that your next post be a summary of the suggestions received so far, so that we contributors might be more efficient?
Just a thought….
Dan…
Our youth group is going through some rough times dealing with the death of a couple of their friends. One is a 9 yr old who just died of Cystic Fibrosis and the other a 19 yr old who died of a pulmonary embolism. The struggle comes down to “why does God let bad things happen to ‘good’ people?” and the other side of that coin, “why does God let ‘bad’ people prosper?” How can a ‘loving God’ allow this to happen? Babies of faithful Christians die in childbirth - what did they do wrong? People who are living their lives wholeheartedly serving God die in a car crash - why would He let that happen? If someone I love was falling down the steps I would move to catch them - why won’t God move to catch us?
I guess these questions come from observing that this world doesn’t seem to function like someone who loves us is in control. If He’s loving and He’s in control, why doesn’t His control seem all that loving? Since the time of Job we’ve been struggling with this one…
Del, I hope you allow those whose have been trained already to jump on this new project immediately. It is much needed and so revelant. I just had to help a college freshman who was told by her professor NOT to bring any of her Creation ideas into his class as he was teaching evolution only. Another professor had informed him that she was a Creation believer and to watch out..
I think you need to include in your project some information on what a student can LEGALLY do and what their rights are. Professors are obviously ignoring their rights in the classroom and the student needs to speak up on solid legal ground.
Also, they need to be able to defend the absolute truth claim that it does exist, knowing how to discern fact from fiction involving evolution (biology related especially).
Philosophy basics involving the law of non-contradiction, and other “rules” to help them discern poporly made arguments without being a philosophy major.
PLease let us know about when the youth project will be ready “Truth for Youth”
Blessings,
David
As a believer in a young Earth, do you think dinosaurs were on the ark?
Can a Believer Lose His Salvation? Is there really a voice from God that I can actually hear? Are we slaves as Christians or sons and daughters? How come Satan can show his powers and God can’t seem to? Why does Christianity have to be the only way, isn’t that selfish and self righteous? What are the rules of separation of church and state? Why can’t God heal amputee’s? What physical evidence of God is there? and why are there so many rules to Christianity, they make it litterally impossible to follow or be good? so why even bother? There’s a few questions you could try to answer, that my group of highschool kids here get faced with every week in school. atleast these are the simple ones…hope they help
I am in a small group at my church on Wed nites and we are going into our 9th tour. I am so overwhelmed with what I have learned. But I still have a question that has bugged me for years. How do we know that when the scribes wrote the Bible that they put down word for word what our Lord has said? I’m speaking mainly of the old testament. Some of the contridictions really make me wonder. Had they changed any of the wording to suit them? Did they include their own opinons of how it should be? I am a true believer in Christ and do not doubt my faith. I just wonder sometimes about the time gaps.
Also in Christ,
Debbie
Thanks for asking for those questions from us!
1) How can God be a good god and allow all this evil in the world?
2) How do I move from a faith of influence (because of those around me and what they believe- like my family) to personal live active faith in God?
Dr. Tackett,
As a freshman in college, I’ve been dealing with many of these very issues. Coming from a very strong Christian background and having seen The Truth Project, I didn’t think I would have any trouble with keeping the faith as I left for college. But the weakening of my faith did not come in the ways I expected… I think it is of the utmost importance to stress the need for Christian community (not just fellowship). To continue to have an active relationship with Christ, students NEED to have a small group of people with whom they can have meaningful discussions about the nature of God and who will hold them accountable.
Another issue I’ve come across on many occasions… How do I share my faith with people without coming across as “holier-than-thou?” There have been many situations where I’ve said something, not meaning for it to be critical in any way, and the reaction I’ve gotten has been something along the lines of, “Oh. You’re one of THOSE Christians.” I know it’s almost impossible to be labeled, but what ways can help sort of lessen the animosity?
I look forward to seeing this new version of The Truth Project.
Q1) Was a “back slidden” Christian, truly a Christian before going back into their sin?
Q2) How are forgivness/salvation/repentance related to each other? Do we only need forgiveness “once” to be saved?
Q3) Can salvation be lost?
Q4) Is it possible to be saved if you’ve heard the full gospel of Christ and believed in your heart, yet never confessed it with your mouth?
Q5) When I’m praying for an answer to something that I need guidance in (with an eartly deadline), and I don’t hear any specific answer…what should I do?
Here’s one that my son once asked. “If God wants us to love our enemies, and satan is our enemy, are we supposed to love satan?”
Del,
As I read the comments in this blog, I am seeing an even greater need for both the original Truth Project series and the new series you are filming. There are so many people out there sincerely asking questions on Christianity because of a desire to learn. I have seen first hand the problems you covered among those entering college. Peer pressure can be a powerful influence in a negative, sinful way to all people, not just our youth. Please let us know when the new series will become available.
May the Holy Spirit guide you in this very important effort.
Our church just finished the Truth Project. One of the comments was how to get the youth involved with this. I am so glad to be able to pass this along to those who asked about that.
As far as questions the youth are concerned about; why can’t I go see an R rated movie if I am 18? Why should I wait to have sex until marriage? What is sex? How do I speak up without anger? How do I handle unbelieving parents (guardians)? Why is it always the girl’s fault? Why aren’t there more programs to teach guys how to behave?
I could go on, but I am sure you are getting enough from everyone.
Thanks for all you are doing.
Perhaps some may need to know where their particular teachings came from. Many denominations will contend “from the Bible” without considering whether they follow a 16th, 17th, or 20th century cultural interpretation of Scripture.
This is whats needed
Hallelujah!!!
Del,
At one point in my life I was fasting and praying; I was very contemplative at the time, and something very powerful came from my thoughts to my lips which came over me with such with joy and thanksgiving…
My prayer was as follows along with the further contemplation of the complete thought:
God, You are so utterly powerful, so utterly passionate, so utterly capable and so utterly worthy, that not only do you DEFY inexistence (nothingness), in that your nature is love which could not BEAR to go inexistant or alone or unnoticed (thus worship and fellowship); but You, O Lord, DEMAND the name “God” of ALL of Your Creation; because not only is it the perfect power of Your love and the very purposes in it which demand utmost glory and honor and praise of the highest calling, but also the greatness of the love of JESUS CHRIST who ransomed man’s sin for those who would receive Him, for the glory of Heaven and for Your name… PRAISE GOD!!!
If I am lacking, or somehow in the wrong somewhere, by all means, take away what you must and/or continue with what is. May the will of God be established and souls saved for the GLORY of His Kingdom.
Peace and Joy,
Blessings!
Sara
Sweet! This series has turned my eyes to the truth, and kids who are SO susceptible to the influences of anything even though they THINK they are being independent, really need help with developing a discerning eye.
This is fanstastic!
How can a high school student move away from Godly supportive parents into the deep dark influences sometimes found in the dorms and find a band of brothers to be a light?
How can high school students develop a real and firm belief that their Godly influence MATTERS if they’ve never seen good results of their impact? (I had left high school feeling like none of my devotion to God had mattered, and I received a couple of messages from people years later saying how much my Godly influence HAD mattered during that time in high school).
Teach the students that God is good and He has their good in mind all the time:
Why does God seem so silent sometimes? Why does He allow people to encounter so much suffering, pain, hurt? How does a Good God allow it? How do people deal with pain and hurt once it has occurred and continue to really trust deep in the core of their heart that God is still good? What is the point of following God? So we can get to heaven in the end and have a bigger crown to throw at Jesus’ feet? We have an option to follow God or follow Satan, but God doesn’t want to be chosen because He is the better choice of the two, He wants to be chosen because He desires to have a relationship with us and really be loved and to love us. Teach them how to deal with the fact that all of life is either a valley, a mountain top or a level path. It will never always be any one of the three, but it fluctuates between them and how to deal with life when you are on a mountain that dives into the valley. Why is it important to follow God? Why choose Him over something you seem to desire so greatly? What does being saved really mean? What does salvation really entail? It is so much more than a ticket to heaven. It is a gift that doesn’t just get your name written in the book of life, but it offers life altering Truth and weapons to fight for real life.
I love Del’s quote, “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?” If we did, he is right in saying it would change the world.
By far the biggest question faced by traditionalist Christian students in college in the 21st century is how their worldview connects with the scientific reconstruction of the history of the universe, planet earth, and life. The simplistic critiques of Darwinism given by many Christians don’t help much. The young earth creationist position that many of us were taught as the only Biblical option requires the rejection of core principles of astronomy/astrophysics, geology, nuclear physics, and climate science as well as biological evolution. There is just no way to equip students to defend a 10,000 year old earth when tree-ring, lake varve, and ice core data allow us to reconstruct past climate by counting years back to over 100,000 years ago. Part of the problem is not that students are not equipped…it is that some of what they have been equipped to defend happens to be wrong.
This is awesome! I worked through the Truth Project with my teenagers and they really enjoyed it. God Bless.
This need for our nation to focus on the hearts and minds of our children as they prepare to enter the world as adults, bearing huge responsibilities, has been very heavy on my heart in the last year, and so I am incredibly pleased and grateful that Focus is beginning a new program to address that. My own children have had a foundation laid for them in our home, but they are continually drawn away by the deceptive philosophies of this world through their public school education. It’s a constant battle, and grieves my heart immensely. The Truth Project has been a blessing to my husband and I, but my teenagers have yet to “dig in” in the manner I intended…and I bought the Truth Project set more for them than for anyone else! So, thank you for this effort. I want them to be prepared for the battle ahead. Perhaps a set of questions can focus on not only why we can believe, but laying out the future as the Bible predicts will occur. I understand that we can’t fully know, but I’m thinking of parallels that can be drawn between what has occurred already and what we can know by faith what will occur in the future. Can we answer the question, what is heaven? What is the reason and the need for our children to go through this battle in the first place?
Gratefully,
Patty
Del,
As each year passes there is an even greater need for the church to experience The Truth Project. I was encouraged to read about your 1/2 hour based series project for High schoolers.
A number of believers in my church have expressed an interest in viewing the Truth Project during their lunch break. However as you know with the current length of the present DVD series that’s not possible.
A 1/2 hour series would be just the answer, even if it means extending the number of tours into separate parts. I personally know of two local businesses whose CEO’s are in favor of viewing the series during the 1 hour lunch period.
What a good use of the lunch break, The Truth Project and a brown bag… nourishment for body, soul and spirit.
May the Lord continue to guide you, and bless you in this very important ministry.
Bob
I’m a student on a university campus, and I’ve been struggling with these very issues!
This week in one of my classes, my professor made the statement that “Christians bring persecution on themselves” because it is the “religion with the highest number of forced conversions in history.”
She is convinced that Christianity is based on hatred and force, and has shown video clips in class of “Christian” groups rioting and screaming profanities at groups of homosexuals, etc.
Sadly, this is the view that much of the world holds of Christ’s followers, because sadly, many that CLAIM the name of Christ have given this precedent.
I’m struggling with how to negate this view. How do I share the love of Christ without watering down the gospel?
This is so extremely important. It has been on my heart, though a way has not yet opened to do it myself. I will be very interested to see what you come up with.
Collegians need to be firmly grounded in their faith in knowing that it is objectively true and not just ‘what we believe’, not merely that it is practical or beneficial.
They need to have their hearts and imaginations inspired to follow Christ no matter what the cost.
They need the principles to evaluate truth claims and deal with persuasion and propaganda. They don’t so much need to have local sub-cultural standards elevated to the level of objective Scriptural absolutes, for they need to be as Greeks to the Greek and Romans to the Romans, but without sin.
Without these things, they are lambs among wolves.
this is a great idea. i think this will show the teens how they should control their life. i would like to be part of this confrience, bt unfortunately, i will not be. i would like to hear how this meeting went and i would like to see the vidoe here on facebook. thanks true project ministries.
Del,
I see the major attack on kids right now in these three areas,
1. Islam
2. Homosexuality
3. Evolution
These three topics are the most outspoken on high school and college campuses as far as I can tell. The full blown ‘Truth Project’ is awesome and I think covers how to deal with them even if it is indirectly. My only thought is that much of the material doesn’t connect the dots for a high school kid. Example; You cover what truth is, and that in itself denounces Islam. A high school kid will be stoked on what is taught about truth, but when the Muslim starts misquoting the bible, or giving their version of who Jesus is, they get tripped up. Maybe a little help drawing the conclusions out for them would really help. I can’t wait for this. AWESOME!
I attend an Ivy League University, where the struggle isn’t so much answering pointed questions, because most have already “made up their minds” either for or against Christians/conservatives, like the professor in Megan’s class. I’ve had fabulous discussions with those who have engaged with questions. They’re curious, and probably seeking.
I struggle more with when to speak up in class, wondering if I’m letting Christ down by not taking on every anti-Christian comment. Usually, since I’m not in religion classes, per se, I let them go unless a side comment pertains to the discussion or subject at large (They usually don’t). I also try to pose my objection as a question that flips the perspective(eg “so are you saying all Christians are like that?” or “do you really think that’s what Jesus was like?”), but I feel like my tone has to be incredibly, incredibly mild and laid back or I’ve defeated my own purpose. In one class, a Jewish prof accused a Jewish student of “going evangelical” when the student offered a somewhat emotional critique of a fellow student’s statement.
Your post script was profound - I agree we need to talk about it more. But better yet we need to practice it more rather than just talking about it.
The questions I pray you cover are separate but related. In light of the recent discoveries of Sandra Cantu’s body with possible evidence at a local church there:
1. How does a sovereign God allow a little 8 year old girl to suffer so horribly? Is that really God’s will as John Piper would argue?
2. (This comes from Ravi Zacharias’s Hindu friend found in chapter 14 of Beyond Opinion) If this (Christian) conversion is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians I know?
At this point we don’t know if any Christians were involved in the death of this little girl, but we can look back at history and show many examples of where professed Christians have done as bad or worse as many atheists are quick to show. I know we live in a fallen world, but as Ravi says, “this is the most difficult question of all.”
I think it comes back to the question you ask in Lesson 1: “Do you really believe what you believe is really real?” If so, we will live it out. We will Love One Another as Christ has shown His love for us. We will take seriously our relationship to God through Christ Jesus and our relationships with others in the light of His mercy and grace.
I think that this is an amazing idea. I once had one of the kids in a sunday school class ask me. “If God loves us then why wouldn’t he want us to be doing some of this stuff if it makes us happy” the “stuff” was not showing a christian attitude and not following the path that God intended for them to follow. (drinking, sex, smoking)came up in some of the conversation, some admitted to drinking and smoking. Others also agreed that they felt that way as well.
I have been wanting to put something together for a long time. When I work with some intercity children where we hold a weekly bible school for them (ages 5-16), the questions I hear alot are
“Why doesn’t God help our family with money?”
“Why did God make me sick if he knows my family doesn’t have any money?”
“Why does bad stuff happen to kids, good people”
Why would it be wrong to live with someone before getting married?
There are so many topics! I am sure that you will do an excellent job and I can’t wait to see it. God Bless!
My men’s group just completed the Truth Project and I was struck by the last part on Community & Involvement.
I was laid off in September ‘08 and have been searching and researching jobs in the architecture or construction industry. Nothing going on and UE benefits are over. However I found I could substitute teach in the local public school system based on my masters degree [MBA].
I was completely astounded by the depth of misinformation and extent the depressingly bad
cultural influences have had on our students, elementary, middle and high school levels. I don’t believe many Christians are aware of how un-civil, argry and even vicious our urban youth have become. I sure wasn’t aware of the depth of the problem till now. My kids only graduated from high school 4 and 5 years ago. We are a small urban community, < 100,000, so obviously if we include larger urban areas we have a huge community needing the Truth.
Are we getting this information into the cities, and to younger people? Particularly our black and latino students.
So my question is can we get the Truth Project into these cultural groups?.
Can we get it to younger groups? We must influence them at ages younger than pre-college.
Thanks, Robb
I am so glad you are doing this!! We are faced with exactly this situation with a granddaughter. She has always been in a Christian environment but now at school is sliding away. She is smart - all A’s forever - and a thinker. The attitude she and her boyfriend display can be characterized as the traditional “I don’t need Christianity, I want to use my brain” displaying the attitude that science and modern knowledge are mutually exclusive with Christianity.
Dr. Tackett
In your first tour on veritology, you pose the question, “Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?”. This poses the question of whether our beliefs externally conform to reality as defined/created by God.
I wrestle with a similar question, but with an internal focus rather than external, “Do I believe that what I believe is really what I believe?”. In my mind, I believe that I believe the truths of God, Christ, and the Scriptures. Yet if I really believe them, why do they not impact and control my life/actions more than they do? In many ways my actions declare that I love the world more than God. Have my intellectual beliefs not impacted my heart? If so, do I really believe them?
I know this is an area in which you seek transformation in the lives of those studying The Truth Project and, I assume, the new, shorter series you are developing for high school students. To me, this question of why my “beliefs” do not have a greater impact on how I live my life is an important area to more thoroughly investigate in your new series - especially with high school students, who are in the process of forming their world and live views.
Thank you using your gifts and abilities to develop The Truth Project.
Comments from my Son, a Highschool Sunday School class leader:
Why do I choose to believe the Bible is true? If I say I was raised that way, many are raised differently, and how they were raised is true for them too, they cancel each other out. If I say it changed my life, many other religions and people that follow them can say that too. So they cancel each other out with “truth” there also. So when someone says, why do you believe that, and your answer is from the Bible, what should I prepare myself to say? Why do I choose to believe the Scripture is absolutly true, and I rest my answers on that?
Why do people that claim to be christians think differently on so many subjects? Don’t they read the same bible?
A statement I hear a lot is “I don’t want to believe or be a part of a God that would allow evil to happen to a good person.” If he is so all powerful, why do bad things happen to good people?
Hope that helps:)
Please understand I do not hold to any of the viewpoints of the questions I will write, but these were questions and ideas that I not only was confronted with, but saw many of my Christian friends succumb to. A few of the questions/ideas I faced going through college were:
1)Is there any such thing as morality (since “truth is relative”)? And if morality does exist, who gets to define it?
2) Humanism. This worldview is so broad in its scope and impact. So many times I have seen Chistians tripped up in class over subjects because they think that we are all generally good people (which is clearly not Biblical).
3) Homosexuality. Are they born that way? How can God “hate” homosexuals if He made them that way? What’s wrong with it as long as they love each other? Further more what’s wrong with any relationship outside of mariage as long as they love each other?
4) Am I being intolerant by not accepting other people’s lifestyles and choices (religion, sexual orientation, etc.)? Is this unchristian of me? Was Jesus inclusive of everyone and their lifestyles? Is it ok to be intolerant? How do I express my disagreement?
5) As a Christian, should I “force my views on someone else” or just live quietly in how my conscience sees fit? Is it ok for me to have an opinion about issues (abortion/life, homosexuality, marriage, war, poverty, abstinence/sex education, universal health care, etc.) and when should I voice them? What is my responsibility, or what should my response be to any of these?
6)Shouldn’t all of us (Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc.) put aside our theological differences and unite around the one thing we have in common, to help the poor? Is this what Jesus would have done? What role should I take in seeking social justice as a Christian?
7) What is the historical basis for Christianity? Is there validity to the Bible, or is it a flawed book put together with the thoughts of a bunch of men? There were many other religions in the region long before Jesus was born and started His ministry, with many of the details now “adopted” by Christianity. Christianity is merely based on ideas adopted from other religions that pre-date it (additional evidenced by Christian holidays roots in pagan holidays and rituals). Jesus was just a good moral teacher.
I’m sorry that this was so long. I was in the social work program, as well as psychology and humanities courses, and these were all constant topics that were brought up. There were very few Christians, and even fewer that had any Biblical basis for their opinions. I spent many long hours in prayer and conversation wrestling through these topics and questions, because they had so much “compelling evidence” (although false and misconstrued). The #1 hing was that I did not have enough of the Word of God in me to know what the WHOLE council of God in His Word said about many of these things. They have their talking points and scriptures taken out of context memorized, so we must know the God that we say we believe and the Word which He has given to us so we may know His heart. I hope this helps, and thank you for all that you do.
*You logic through the evil within mankind really well in TTP. A larger question is who is The father of lies in John 8 and where does he come from?
*A point I see frequently mocked by left wing media and I’m sure it comes from academia as well is the age of the earth. The typical statement I hear revolves around the 4000 year old position. The earth is the only sphere in the universe (that we “know” of) with a 24 hour day (Defined in human terms). A “time” discussion might be of value.
*This may not be the kind of question you are looking for, but I grieve for and pray generally for the student who is confronted with compromising their grade and their ideology based on agreeing with a professorial position on any number of matters that they are exposed to in the classroom. It’s good to be winsome, but it’s something else to have to “rollover” when their academic position is at stake and when they are tempted to go against their honest beliefs. (e.g abortion, government, sexual mores, et. al.) Is there a “Christian” alternative for them to pursue?
May God bless this effort throughout a state of fruition for His glory.
I think one challenge christians will face in the university is the question of definition when it comes to christianity itself. There are thousands of denominations with doctrinal nuances of a tertiary nature to polar differences in orthodoxy. How is it that so many doctrinal differences can emerge from one holy scripture? And its implication, How can the bible really be the word of God if God is not a God of confusion and yet the Christian community as a whole seems very confused as to what it believes.
This whole Truth Project seems like a really cool idea. I just recently had a huge leap in my faith this holy week, and my faith was already strong. I want to keep it that way, and this place seems to be the place to do it.
Thanks!
Marian
What historical and scientific facts undergird faith - prophecies that have been fulfilled exactly as predicted (Daniel, Isaiah…), amazing intelligent designs which irreducible complexity explains could not exist except in final form (see Dr. Francis Collins’ The Language of God, p. 192 - for refutation of the the bacterial flagellum “outboard motor” idea - he says it could exist in various unfinished forms), answers to prayer which doctors and soldiers document (Joan Borysenko - doctors have over 200 documented instances of people dying on the operating table and coming back to life with stories about seeing God, Jesus; empirical scientific designs showing that hospital wings which were covered in prayer (miles away in different states) show patients living longer, taking less medication, leaving the hospital sooner, having less pain, … when prayer was offered for “God’s will to be done”, etc.). In addition, testimonies of answers to prayer by George Washington during the Revolutionary War, Robert E. Lee during the Civil War, during Desert Storm, etc., to show people that God has acted miraculously during wartime to answer real prayer. God has just answered our Easter prayers for the release of the Captain by the pirates! Thank you.
As you state in Lesson 2: Philosophy, God reveals Himself in 2 ways: through creation and through His Word, the bible. Both are being discredited as ‘God’s own’. Deal honestly with the paradox of the scriptures and I believe we find welcome in the hearts of young people who live “in the margins”.
For example, how can Jesus offer ‘freedom from the law’ and yet have come ‘not to abolish’ it but to ‘fulfill’ it? How can we believe in One God who in the Old Testament is so intolerant of sin that He calls His people to utterly destroy His enemies, and in the NT has come to not only live among them, but to subject Himself completely to their evil will?
I believe Jacob wrestled with God because he was living ‘in the margins’. On one hand, he lived in an era whenever God and sin met, sin was utterly destroyed. He deserved destruction for deceiving his brother, and he knew it. On the other hand, he had a promise from God. Jacob “struggled with both God and with man, and overcame”. Our God is confident: give young people a space to wrestle with paradox, and if they seek the truth, they will find Him.
Blessings and Godspeed to you and all who share in this work of God!
I am very excited about this new project. I have been very blessed by The Truth Project. I attended a small group and now am leading a small group. I also work at a University (not a teacher), and I have been overcome by the liberalism to the point of being afraid to speak about any controversial issue. We do have an InterVarsity group on campus, so I plan to speak to the director and lead a group for the fall semester. The Truth Project is a gift. Thankyou and God Bless you and the staff.
What issues fall under the category of “disputable matters” (ala Romans 14)? This is crucial because Paul commands believers to keep silent about what they believe on these issues (Rom 14:22).
If any of the issues addressed in the Truth Project (i.e. evolution, social drinking, dating) are “disputable matters” then you are disobeying the direct Bible clear command by discussing them.
I am actually a leader of an off camps group of people who are doing the truth project. Its fantastic!!
The question that I have been struggling with is what is God’s will for me as a college student? and maybe even Why should I stay single? versus If I am in a relationship should I stay in it going off to college? What are the reasons that God wants me to stay single?
I know these are a lot of relationships questions but I think people need to know the reasoning behind why God keeps us single for so long. I myself have been single my entire life and I’m 21 years old. I am at college where everyone seems to be dating and its hard to stay true to what I believe sometimes.
Thank you for teaching this class I know it will be an outstanding class.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY!
I know of a group of home schoolers who would love to be part of your audience if you need them.
Many have taken part in different ministry opportunities focussed on being able to evangelize by talking through the ‘really hard to answer’ questions…one of their greatest frustrations is figuring out how to reach a culture that has been steeped in political correctness and tolerance and therefore has no concept of personal sin, let alone the need to be ’saved’ from anything.
The other issue would be dealing with apostates who turn to secular humanism or worse, Christianity-a-la-carte, which seems to be where many profs settled once they outgrew their christian roots and became intellectually ‘enlightened’.
I would like to see you tackle the historical perspective of the flood and the dinasaurs since most are programmed with a “localized flood” or the “billions” of years to cause the formation of the grand canyon… etc… Thanks!
In addition, I think that any of the major apologetical issues deal with questions that high schoolers will face when entering into the university. Although “verificationism” has been refuted, many in the scientific community still hold to such a notion. Design arguments for the existence of God; William Lane Craig’s Kalam Cosmological Argument; Gary Habermas’ work on the ressurection of Jesus; and Craig’s wonderful development of the moral argument are all aspects of Christian apologetics that students should become familiar with. Furthermore, refutation of Hume’s argument against miracles, the logical outworkings of atheism and how these fail, the biases of biologists holding to the evolutionary theory and the assumptions and problems with evolution in general. Lastly, any kind of introduction into critical thinking and logical fallacies are a must for students to be able to weed through the rhetoric and postmodern views that many professors still espouse.
Also, grounding in the historical reliability of the new testament — especially in light of the recent attack against a conservative hermeutic by Bart Ehrman.
I finished the TruthProject last Wed and I feel sad like a good friend has moved away. I was aware of many certainly not all the information given during the Project. The Project really confirms many of the conclusions I arrived at. I was however stunned at just how many lies the American people have been told about their own country. How this nation was birthed has been distorted and it is time we expose the darkness with the light. We wont need to fire a single shot we just have to be a beacon of truth. We can not insult others we have to be very tactful and graceful. With love. If there was a way for every eye to see the information I was exposed to in 12 weeks, I know we would capture enough that then those would spread the truth further in. They may get into places Christians do not tread. This is one problem and since we are too easily influenced we don’t but we should be like Jesus who was not affected as he hung out and spoke to serious sinners!
That all for now but I hope we really get involved, as things gets closer more people will wake up, may the grace of God be on us all for the glory of Christ.
Question:
What is it about Christian ethics that humanity needs? In other words, why can’t moral systems that men devised based on utilitarianism, enlightened self-interest, or personal survival meet our need for judging moral choices consistently?
Great idea! As for questions, one thing common to people that age is sex drive. Certainly they feel it, and it is marketed to them constantly by a world that does not care about the consequences. The question is: “Why is it important to save yourself for marriage?”
The Christ like view needs to be defended/sustained with a description of the challenges that will be faced. A lot of students get the scary talk frequently (STD’s, unwed pregnancy, et cetera). That talk is important, but it would be nice to see the consequences that don’t seem so obvious laid out for the students as well. For example, “What does sex before marriage do to the relationship that you will have with your eventual spouse, whether or not they are the same person?” Psychological implications like that…
My difficult questions for me are:
Why do people say Jesus is God when clearly He is the Son of God and/or ‘the first coming’ of the Messiah. You can be a Son and not be the One God! If you are the Messiah - the first or second coming - you are (prophetically anyway) God. God is God. Jesus is His Son. Jesus prayed to His Father God, was born by His Father God through a woman, He said to others that the way to heaven was: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One and you shall love (Him) with all of your heart sould and might. And, of course, your neigbor (enemy? as yourself. He asked His father God to avoid and/or delay his death and resurrection. And when He said ‘believe in me’ as the route to Heaven, I see it as believe in my miracles, my relationship with Our Father who help you better understand His and My miraculous and awesome power and Love and believe in my ministry and message and seek to DO them. No?
I would like to thank you for the work that you do, we are in the last 2 leassons of the Truth Project and I have been thinking about how this message needs to be brought to high school students.
Question:
If God is all powerful then why would he demand that Jesus die for the sins of the World, why could forgiveness just be given and not requiring Jesus to suffer ?
Q: Yeah, but there are 100’s of contradictions in the Bible ! (when asked to name even one, usually they balk). But, worthwhile to identify some ones that can be common, and how to answer.
A psychology/sociology exercise 30 yrs ago, but no doubt still common: Divide students into groups of 5 with the Q: There are 5 people in a 4 man raft in the middle of the ocean. Who to you toss out so 4 can survive ?
A: Don’t even participate, designed to invoke an immoral response of who should live or die, based on whatever values on human life the group wishs to exercise at the time.
Q: But what about the back-woods head-hunter (but a good citizen) who has never heard of Jesus ? Are you going to send him to hell ?
(You………..Christian !)
Our small group just finished the Truth Project! We have learned so much about who God is! Many in our group were not believers until after college. We all have children now between the ages of 6 and 12. Having fallen for many of the pathologies ourselves we are com that our children be well educated in God’s truth.
One question: What does forgiveness mean, is it unconditional, not requiring the offending party’s confession or willingness to change? Many children grow up in difficult situations and need to what it means to forgive others as Christ forgave us.
Thank you for this well put together Truth project!
Dr. Tackett, I have been working on a curriculum for seniors on this very subject.
I would like it to start their freshman year with a portion of their Bible classes being dedicated toward apologetics, with their senior year devoted to it.
I think it is important that we not only pose the questions but really explain different forms of debate.
Subjectivists and relativists constantly “topic skip” in order to avoid be nailed down to a particular answer or line of thinking.
We have developed a 4 category system that breaks down all conversation or debate into 1. Emotion 2. Scientific 3. Historical 4. Philosophical.
The curriculum is being designed to identify the category that the professor, student, friend, etc. is debating in. This helps them to identify the boundaries that each category is limited to.
i.e. Science is bound by the scientific method and cannot be used to make absolute statements about philosophy. Emotional arguments are generally based on strictly anecdotal evidence, and therefore one cannot base a comprehensive response on limited experience. etc. etc.
We rely heavily on Dr. Zacharias 3 levels of philosophy as well where he explains
level 1. Truth
level 2. Existential or drama,
level 3. Proscription or “table talk”.
Our students need to understand not only the questions and responses but the tactics used in delivering those questions. The university setting is very adept at attacking Christianity from a variety of angles, using a variety of methods. They will give an “emotional” argument a “scientific” appearance and let the class assume that their argument is based on science not emotion or anecdotal evidence. I find that when I can identify this, I am able to resist and then challenge the “assumptive statements” or presuppositions of the professor, friend, etc.
I sincerely hope that when we have a complete product your staff would be willing to give it a “once over”.
God Bless your efforts!
Forgiveness in a pragmatic sense is choosing to release the right or ability to personnally punish the offender in any way, physically, verbally, emotionally, $$, or other ways. Can there still be justice by authorities? Yes. Does it mean that the relationship will carry the same amount of trust and love? No. Does it mean that I don’t have boundaries to protect myself from being hurt again? No. Just so thoughts from someone on an uphill journey.
I am thrilled that you are doing this for high school students!! I can’t wait for my daughter, who is going to be a junior next year, to do this study so that she will be given some added knowledge and guidance to help her be more prepared. How awesome! Del, you are an awesome teacher, God picked a good one
God bless you.
Wendy
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the project. I can remember the questions that confronted me, as a college student. I was able, through the mercy of God and through the support of many Christian friends, to find the answers I needed to fend off the attempts of the world to conform me to their view. Unfortunately, my brother was not.
- Why would a God who loves His most cherished creation, and wanted to have daily fellowship with us, have even called our attention to a tree in the garden that had the capacity to pull us away from Him?
- Why do we not see as many physical manifestations of His miraculous power, today, as there were in biblical times?
- The line between “Discernment” and “Judgment” appear to be incredibly gray. How do I know when I’m crossing the line between helping a brother or sister in Christ discern God’s will and judging them for their impure actions?
In the Seventh Tour there is a giggle point about the hen counting the 10,000 pores in the egg shell. The question comes; if women are born with their child bearing eggs, why can’t the hen count the pores?
What would an evolutionist think? This further complicates the issues because only a male can fertilize; two egg bearing species can’t reproduce, but we, already, know that, don’t we?
Dr Tackett,
One of the most perplexing issues I’ve seen with our youth is the acceptance of the double minded mentality (as in Romans). I keep seeing young people make permanent decisions about temporary feelings, with an accompanying lack of concern about the consequences. So I suppose my question is how can we young people to first recognize their inconsistencies in a worldly view.
May God continue to bless your work.
I think the hard question is “Why does it matter if you have a Chritian World view or not?” however, it doesn’t get asked that way. It comes to the forefront as “Why can’t I see that movie, play that video game, listen to that type of music, everyone else does? It doesn’t mean that I’m not a good Christian” Which just begins to scratch the surface of the stuggle. Helping our kids (big and small) to understand that if we really believe that the Bible and what it teaches us is really real it will impact our lives and even simpel choices like this everyday. If we start on the slippery slope of “it’s not that bad” we soon end up justifying al sorts of things we never thought we would agree to.
Sounds good to me, anything with Christians banning together for the greater good sounds wonderful. Next we need to band together and figure out how to get our government to start over with God as the basis, that’s how it was in the beginning and how it should be now! Put God back into our government and our schools!
Wow! What an awesome God we serve, I have been thru the truth project with 2 different small groups now and every time I go thru it I find new refreshing Truth of God magnificent creation. One thing that I ponder is “which God do the Jewish people believe in? We all descendent from Abraham, but do they believe in the same God as we do, Father Son and holy spirit?
I have a son in college and he has had a crisis of faith. He has spent the summer in Europe, and will be coming home shortly. He took a philosophly class and came home and asked me what if people lied and Jesus really didn’t do the things people said he did (with tears in his eyes). He said he had watched a video “Waking Life” (I’ve heard it’s seen on many campuses…and can be watched on Utube) and was concerned that we have all been lied to. After several, heart to heart discussions, we told me he didn’t want to be a “christian”, he wanted to be a “christ-follower” (thank you God!). But then other college friends talked to him about 2012, the Mayan Calendar, and how the world was going to have a great spiritual awakening then. Again, I guess this is a very hot topic on college campuses. I’m researching again, and when my son returns, he’s going to go through The Truth Project and hopefully put this issue to rest. So…has anyone else watched “Waking Life” or have knowledge about 2012 and the Mayan Calender? I would like to see these addressed, if not in the classroom discussions, maybe as blog posts or extra material for discussion. Thanks for all the hard work…what a blessing!!
I’ve been reading the other responses and I think I agree most with Greg (April 4th post). The issue of the age of the earth is used by the media and the scientific community as a tool to discredit Christians and make us collectively look foolish. They never discuss the different theories within the Christian community itself and the merits or drawbacks of each theory.
I don’t know if the curriculum has been completed yet, but I would like to see a discussion on the varying interpretations of the Genesis creation and flood accounts, with an emphasis on the fact that these are merely differing interpretations. I don’t think a Christian discussion on creationism or cosmology needs to focus on any one interpretation and it definitely should not include a call to arms to attack another Christian who holds to a differing interpretation.
I would like to see some of the more prominent interpretations presented side by side with a discussion on the merits and drawbacks of each, while leaving the decision of which interpretation to subscribe to up to the student. We do that every week when we listen to the pastor’s sermon and decide for ourselves whether his message is consistent with the Bible or not and how much of the message we should take to heart. Our teens deserve the same opportunity with this issue.
Thank you so much for this very important work!!
Our small group has really enjoyed the thought provoking nature of the Truth project. It certainly taught me things I never knew. It was great discussion for our teenage children.
I am the father of 8, whom we have home schooled. Now I have them in the local Universtiy and Jr. College.
My older ones are my daughters and they have stood up to the challanges they have met, not wavering.
Two questions/statments have been possed to them from the text of mandatory material.
Fist since the Old Testement mentions a rabbit as chewing its cud and infact does not reguritate its food the claim is the Bible is unrelaible.
My comment is that the rabbit holds its food in its cheeks and then chews it later, is this still called chewing its cud?
Second is that the seqence of animals and man being different in Gen. 2 and Gen. 3. Can we hold that chapeter 3 is not seqencial?
Dan
Del,
How can we address the issue of apostasy with “believers” who embrace Christ with the belief that the church must accept sinners with compassion but insist that we leave the issue of sin outside? Today we are plagued with mainline churches and Christians accepting various sins such as homosexuality and abortion as mere “rights” issues and are expressing the belief that to “judge” these as otherwise is un-Christian. Still others look upon such behaviors as sin but excuse and accept people in leadership who believe that these issues are okay–as in voting for politicians who eventually develop policy that undermine biblical truths. It seems that the main warfare we must fight is in-house and that the battle with the world is secondary.
I didn’t read all the questions so this may have been asked, but I was always taught angels don’t have free will. Do they? If not, how could Satan choose to defy God? When did Satan fall from heaven?
Thank you for all the hard work involved in doing these film series. We are doing TTP with 11 Chinese about half of whom are believers. Very challenging!
Hello Del,
We are so excited about this new series for High school kids. Please let me know when it will be coming out so that we can buy it! I have one child going into his junior year in college and another that is just going into college this fall. When is it coming out??? they are ready for this. My one son has given his life back to the Lord but needs some help and accountability. THis would be a great study for both of them and they would do it too…
I’m touched by Mitzie on May 23. I’ve seen so many young people confused by pseudo science, which borders on magic. At present many hard nosed scientists aare turning to Christ driven to Him by their science. They write about it.
A good example is Frank J. Tipler, co-author of the Cosmological Anthropic Principle”. This is used by Stene Hawking in his study of possible universe. (The Universe in a Nutshell (non-mathy)) Tipler wrote “The Physcis of Im mortality” (Heavy caliber mathy))and more recently “The Physics of Christianity”(less mathy, but still stout)The interim between books brought about Tipler’s conversion to Christ.
An important observation by Tipler is that the singularity proven by Newtonian mathematics by Hawking and Penrose must be outside time and soace. Hawking shrinks back from this in “A Brief History of Time” he says that application of quantum physics to this singularity will remove it. Tiplar points out that such application makes it worst. The singularity is a true “achieved singularity”, but it has three solutions, best understood in terms of personhood.
His critics are fierce and use some conjectures he has made about the physics of miracles. What he intends is to show the physical proofs of central events. His treatment of the resurrection of Christ–the central mystery–discloses it to be actually a testable proposition, likewisse the virgin birth.
To completely discredit Tipler’s viewpoint critics would have to say ‘Frank, you’ve made a mistake in the math.” None do that. Mockery and random partial scholarship are their intruments.
I hope this helps.
Emeritus Prof. of Chemistry
One question I see - What is the art of asking a question that uncovers, reveals the Truth and the lie?
I don’t quite know what Catherine has in mind about revealing the truth. Since she capitalizes the word, and in this forum, one might surmise she means Christ. Otherwise she might mean the truth in some encounter. The lie is not capitalized so this clue leads me to offer the following.
Ravi Zacharas has an excellent method for getting to the point of some one by pursuing the logical extension of the speaker to its extremes.
An example, when a professor of physical biology tells a student “we’re really all cold nothing in a meaningless universe.” he uses a smuggled in autonomy (Ravi’s words)that his words have meaning.
A properly armed student might might reply, “Does this mean prof.XXX that we are merely blowing air at each other through holes in our respective heads?” The unadorned physics of the speech process would favor this interpretation.