LGBT, Society, The Church & the Bible

By Joe W. Gresham

Over the last half century or more we have been introduced to a way of thinking that is no longer based upon fact and reason. Young and old alike are

being educated today to believe that there are no absolutes. They are being told that truth (right and wrong) is only in the mind of the individual and

nothing is any longer absolute. T

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fourth Angel Ministries
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088182475

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Absence of Absolutes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah17:9, 10).

Over the last half century or more we have been introduced to a way of thinking that is no longer based upon fact and reason. Young and old alike are being educated today to believe that there are no absolutes. They are being told that truth (right and wrong) is only in the mind of the individual and nothing is any longer absolute. There is no longer a standard of right or wrong that is absolute for all people. They are being instructed that our value system today is better than it was in the past because we have become a more tolerant society.

The common concept is that what is wrong for one person may be right for another. Therefore, one cannot judge the behavior of another. The prevailing premise is that there must be tolerance and acceptance of all people and all things; even if they are inappropriate, wrong, or condemned in the word of God. While it is true we should be very supportive of tolerance and acceptance of right things, how dare we think we should accept or tolerate evil? How brazen and abominable for anyone to think that others should be forced into their perverted and iniquitous mold! However, this is the very concept that has come from the secular world into the nominal Christian churches of today. The greatest problem facing the youth and adults of today is the loss of a biblically-based value system.

Are the values of today's generation what they were when you were young? Are they perhaps better? Did you fight and argue with your parents the way the young do today? We did not do these, not more than once anyway. We learned quickly in those days. Maybe it was because Dr. Spock had not come on the scene to tell us what a miracle it was to have lived nearly 6000 years following the biblical principles on how to raise children.

It is an indisputable fact that this generation is setting new records for dishonesty, disrespect, sexual promiscuity, violence, suicide, drugs, etc.. The reason for this is quite simple. Most today do not believe in absolutes. They have lost sight of an absolute standard of right and wrong. Truth has become nothing more than a matter of taste and morality has been replaced by individual preference. In other words, you may believe that something is wrong for you, but others must decide whether or not it is wrong for them. Having rejected an absolute standard for right and wrong, the words of Scripture, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 16:25) no longer has any real significance to many. Today the motto is: If it feels right – It is right.

In today’s society the absolute has been replaced by the relative; the belief that what is true for you may not be true for me. As a result research reveals that over 70% of today's generation claim that absolute truth does not even exist. They believe that all truth is relative. Studies show that when youth do not accept an absolute standard for truth they are:

Two times more likely to attempt to physically harm someone.

Two times more likely to watch a pornographic film.

Two times more likely to get drunk.

Two and a half times more likely to steal.

Three times more likely to use drugs.

Six times more likely to attempt suicide.

33% more likely to lie to their parents.

48% more likely to cheat on exams.

74% more likely to watch mtv.

83% more likely to say it doesn't matter what religious faith you follow because all faiths teach similar lessons.

Results further declare that 57% of Christian youth do not believe that an objective standard for truth exists and less than 33% believe that recognizable standards of right and wrong apply to everyone. That means that 67% of these people reject the absolute standard of right and wrong. Thus, everyone is free to do that which is right in his/her own eyes. We have come back to the condition of the people at the time of the judges when every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6). It did not work out real well for them then and it is not working out very well for us today. The admonitiion of Scripture is to Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7). It is never safe for us to lean to our own understanding. There is such a thing as absolute truth, truth which is true for all people, in all places, at all times.

Chapter 2

What Is Truth?

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:32-36).

Jesus said: Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32). He not only believed in truth, He was Himself Truth. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6). His promise is: When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13). God’s people do have something to guide them. He also said: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17). The word of God declares: All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth (Psalm 25:10) and all thy commandments are truth." (Psalm 119:151). Here we see that there are some things that are truth and truth is as enduring as these four things. 1. Jesus is truth. 2. His word is truth. 3. The paths of the Lord are truth. 4. All of his commandments are truth. There is then an eternal truth and it is as enduring as God himself.

Notice that truth is eternal and not temporal, or transitory. The LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:5). The truth of the LORD endureth for ever. (Psalm 117:2). Truth has always been there and it will always be there. There is a standard by which to measure and to judge between right and wrong. Consider what the Bible says about truth and obedience to that truth. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1). But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness. (Romans 2:8). Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth. (Psalm 86:11).

There is that which is true and there is that which is false. There is a contrast here. Those who do not obey the truth are unrighteous and those who do obey the truth are righteous. Those who walk in the truth walk in the ways of God, whereas those who walk not in the truth walk contrary to the will of God. Thus, truth is not merely something