Page 21 - Bible Study Methods-Textbook_Neat

There are many confusing philosophies being promoted in this world to which some believers fall prey.
Here are a few false philosophies along with examples from the mouth of Christians who have been
duped by them:

1. Existentialism – individuals have the full responsibility for creating the meanings of their own lives.
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The movement had its origins in the 19 century of thought of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.

Existence precedes essence: a human’s existence precedes and is more fundamental than any meaning
which may be ascribed to life: humans define their own reality. It views human beings as subjects in an
indifferent, objective, often ambiguous, and "absurd" universe, in which meaning is not provided by the
natural order, but rather can be created. Values are subjective.

The rightness of a decision is based on the meaning it brings to the one making the choice. If a wrong
decision is made, then we are responsible for our free choice.

Christian example: “Read a passage of Scripture. What does that verse mean to you? It may mean
something different to me. Neither of us is wrong or right. The value of the verse is how it impacts your
life.”

The Bible declares that truth is found outside of us. Truth is found in God’s Word (John 17:17) and in
Jesus Christ (John 14:6). God declares what is true regardless if humans agree with it or not. God’s
Word remains true. Truth is not based on human opinion.

2. Rationalism - reason as a source of knowledge or justification for action. Truth is
derived not in the sensory but intellectual and deductive process. All ideas come to us
through experience, either through the five external senses or through such inner
sensations as pain and pleasure, and thus that knowledge is essentially based on or
derived from experience.

Therefore, at issue is the fundamental source of human knowledge and the proper
techniques for verifying what we think we know. We each find our truth through our
experiences and by making rational decisions based on those experiences. Truth, then,
depends upon the collection of your experiences.

Christian example: “I know that it is a wonderful experience to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I spoke with
tongues when the Spirit filled me. Therefore, the gift of tongues is an experience that validates that you
have received the Holy Spirit.” This is deductive reasoning.

Christian example: “How can you find the will of God? Take a piece of paper out and list all the positive
reasons why you should do something. On the other side, list the negative reasons why you shouldn’t. If
the positives out weight the negatives, then it must be God’s will.”

The Bible declares that our reasoning skills are not to be relied upon. The reason is that our mind and
heart are tainted by sin. The Bible says in Psalm 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not
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lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your
paths.

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