Defending the Gospel against philosophical pluralism (Part 1)

Defending the Gospel against philosophical pluralism (Part 1)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Aside from the triumph of the cross of Christ; there is no hope for humanity. Flash this across our pluralistic billboards today and the scoffers will come with their scoffing. (2 Peter 3:4) But truly; what hope does humanity have apart from the cross of Christ?

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not ^[a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Hedonists exalt pleasure and say:

“Eat, drink for tomorrow we die”

This worldview assumes no resurrection so the prevailing attitude becomes one of self indulgence and gratification in this world as the ultimate purpose of life. This soul so exalts the created being and denies a creator that it amounts to self idolatry. This is a common concept amongst atheists who despise authority and fashion themselves as their own gods. Hedonism typically falls under a broader philosophy referred to as “Humanism” by its adherents.

Romans 1:25

²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Philippians 3:19

¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

2 Peter 2:10

¹⁰ and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of ^[a]dignitaries,

·         God wants us to warn such people in gentleness and humility so that perhaps they will escape the coming judgement God will pronounce on all idolaters. (Romans 1:18, Romans 2:5-8) Love and truth are inseparable so we have a responsibility before God to warn idolaters to repent.

Nihilists claim life is meaningless and say:

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

This worldview concedes that there is no purpose to life, nothing is true, and that no eternity waits after death. Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, is mostly credited as the founder of Nihilism. Nihilists believe there is no such thing as absolute truth and that belief or values are worthless and untrue. For the nihilist; life is frowned upon with pessimism, skepticism, and mistrust. The root cause of this worldview is stubborn, generational unbelief in the word of God. (Acts 7:51, Nehemiah 9:16-17)

2 Kings 17:14-15

¹⁴ Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. ¹⁵ And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them.

·         Christians believe that God is the source of all truth and knowledge and it is our responsibility to shed light on these lost souls. (1 John 5:20, Ephesians 1:3, 9, 2 Timothy 2:8)

Agnostics claim there is not enough evidence to prove or disprove the existence of God.

This worldview claims that it lacks the necessary knowledge to believe or disbelieve in the existence of God. They are therefore unable to believe in a God they do not know. Christians need to boldly and unapologetically preach/testify the God of the Bible to these people in hopes that they will believe.

(Acts 8:34)

Hebrews 11:6

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Acts 17:23

²³ for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

Universalists believe that everyone will go to heaven. They are under Satan’s deception that God’s plan of salvation is not exclusive to the cross of Christ. Scripture plainly teaches that no one will be saved apart from saving faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12

¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

1 John 5:12

¹² He who has the Son has ^[a]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.