Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Can we "know" anything for sure? Some people say no.
Key Points:
- One ancient Buddhist parable discusses how blind men, touching different parts of an elephant, all argue that the elephant is one way rather than another. This parable has different meanings in different cultures, but in the West, it is often used to illustrate the postmodern idea that no religion has a monopoly on the whole truth.
- Objective truth has been challenged in our culture. One way is through epistemology (what we can know and how we know things). Many will argue that we can’t even trust our senses to show us truth. How do you really know you’re not living in a computer program like in the Matrix films?
- The problem is that when you draw a line by saying we can’t know anything, you’re saying we know that we can’t know anything. This is self-contradictory.
- Religious pluralism is likewise self-defeating. By saying that all religions are sort of right and sort of wrong, religious pluralism is claiming to have the lynchpin perspective: that religious pluralism is the ultimate truth.
Quote This:
John 8:32 (NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever talked with someone who said, “We can’t really know anything?” What happened?
- Have you ever experienced religious pluralism – the idea that all religions are basically on the path toward God/enlightenment but each is wrong in certain ways?
- Why is it important to understand how we go about deciding if something is true or not?
- Do you think religious pluralism and hyper-skepticism are self-defeating perspectives? Explain.
- Read John 8:31-32. How does truth set us free? Give an example if you have one.
- Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Paul seemed sure of the source of truth. How does this passage impact you and your view of truth?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
