Oct 31, Tue - Your Truth, My Truth, Whose Truth?

Next Quiz/Test: See RenWeb for your next quiz date.

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 4 - Ethics
Journal 4-4: Study packet, Page 16
- Tolerance: What do you think…
- - 1) What do you think it means to ‘tolerate’ something?
- - 2) Do you have to agree with something in order to tolerate it? Or, put another way—can you disagree with something and still tolerate it?  Explain.
- - 3) When should we not tolerate something? Explain.
- - 4) Does God want us to tolerate people who disagree with us?
- - 5) Does God want us to tolerate sinful/evil things?

Video: Your Truth, My Truth, Whose Truth?
- Turn to page 10 of your Study Packet.
- Take notes on this, answering the questions
- If you miss a questions, don’t worry, just listen for the next one

Oct 30, Mon - Moral Absolutism

Next Quiz/Test: Monday is Quiz 4a: Matthew 22:36-40

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 4 - Ethics
Journal 4-3: Study Packet, Page 15
- 1) In 3+ sentences, answer these: 
- - What is the point of having a ‘standard’ for weights and measurements? (e.g. the length of a foot, the amount of a gallon, etc…)
- - What might happen if we had no standard for these things?
- 2) Read the following & then answer the questions below: 
- - “The Office of Weights and Measures promotes uniformity in U.S. weights and measures laws, regulations, and standards to achieve equity between buyers and sellers in the marketplace. This enhances consumer confidence, enables U.S. businesses to compete fairly at home and abroad, and strengthens the U.S. economy.”
- - What are the many reasons that this government organization says they have uniformed weights and measures for?
- 3) How would not having a standard of weights and measures affect…
- - Cooking meals?
- - Building buildings?
- - Buying clothing & shoes?
- 4) So, in general, what is the benefit of having an absolute standard?

Where Moral Relativism Leads: Student Workbook, Page 82-83 & Study packet, Pages 1-3
- We finished this work from yesterday. See yesterday's notes.

Moral Absolutism: Study Packet, Page 2
- Defined: The belief that ethical rules exist that are true:
- - for all people,
- - at all times, &
- - in all situations
- The theology view that goes w/this ethical view is:
- - It is the foundation of Christian worldview on ethics
- The philosophical view that goes w/this ethical view:
- - Absolute Truth:
- - - The belief that truth is complete, total, unlimited, & free from imperfections.
- - Truth is always true, no matter what.
- So, what is the benefit of having an absolute standard of right & wrong? (think about what we learned in the journal)

What is Halloween?
- Some Key Terms:
- - Hallow: An old English word for a "Saint," which is a biblical nick-name for a Christian (a holy one)
- - Eve = The day before
- - - Like “New Year’s Eve” or “Christmas Eve”
- November 1st: This was recognized as All Saints ("Hallowed") Day
- - Past: A day Christians celebrated the lives of past Christians
- - Present: Most have forgotten this meaning
- - - But some still celebrate this
- October 31: This was "All Saints Day Eve" also called, "All Hallows Eve"
- - “Hallows Eve” became “Halloween“
- - Many non-Christian worldview ideas (especially from ancient European religions) are now celebrated on this day
- - - These religions had a different holiday on October 31
- - - The American traditions you see mostly come from these.

Happy Reformation Day (Reformationstag)! On this day in Christian History…
- In 1517, on October 31, Martin Luther (a German monk)
- - Having just newly read & understood what the Bible said…
- - Posted a list of 95 things the Christians did that were against God’s Word
- - This led to…
- The Protestant Reformation: A correction of the Christian churches to follow God’s Word & not man’s tradition for knowing God, daily life, & getting to heaven.
- The Reformation was largely moved by 4 new understandings, known as the ‘4 Solas’ (Sola = Latin for 'alone' or 'only')
- - Salvation by grace alone!
- - Salvation is through faith alone!
- - The ultimate authority in our life (for the knowledge of God & what He expects from us) is by Scripture alone!

- - All that we do is to be done to the glory of God alone!

Oct 25, Wed - Quiz 4a

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 4a: Matthew 22:36-40
- See RenWeb for your next quiz date.

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 4 - Ethics
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.

When students finished the quiz, they were directed to work on Study Packet, page 6.

Oct 24, Tue - Moral Relativism

Next Quiz/Test: Monday is Quiz 4a: Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 4 - Ethics
Journal 4-2: Study Packet (page 12) & Student Workbook (page 82)
- Pick up your Student Workbook pages from the front
- - Read the article section entitled, “Who’s to Say What’s Right?” (page 82)
- On page 12 of your Study Packet, answer these:
- - 1) List the first 3-word phrase that is defined
- - - In your own words, define it & then give an example of it
- - 2) List the second 3-word phrase that is defined
- - - In your own words, define it & then give an example of it
- - 3) In 3+ sentences, explain why it can be dangerous to decide your ethics/morals in either of these two ways.

Reviewing Yesterday's Notes: We paused here & reviewed things from yesterday, using this picture as a resource.

Moral Relativism: Study Packet, Page 2
- Defined: The belief that ethical standards change according to the situation, individual preferences, and/or society.
- - Also called: Situational Ethics
- - This belief causes our ethical decisions to ultimately be based on what we, personally, feel is right.
- The theology view that goes w/this ethical view is:
- - The foundation of Pantheist & Atheist worldview on ethics
- The philosophical view that goes w/this ethical view:
- - Relative Truth: The belief that truth is dependent on another thing
- - Truth isn't always true,
- - Truth can change based upon such things as the situation, society, or individual

Where Moral Relativism Leads: Student Workbook, Page 82-83 & Study packet, Pages 1-3
- ¶1: What groups usually believe in some form of M.R.?
- ¶2: The human heart is… what?!?
- - Study Packet, Page 3: Bottom Right
- - - Jer. 17:9) We don't ultimately trust 'our heart' for ethics because sin has made our hearts a desperately sick & deceitful thing—Therefore, we trust what God says! days
-¶2: If, outside of humanity, there is no standard for right and wrong—then what is every ethical decision based on?
- - Study Packet: Page 2 & Short Answer 2 (pg 1): Two Problems w/this belief: Moral Relativism
- - - 1) Our feelings are unstable & lack perspective
- - - - How are feelings unstable?
- - - - How do feelings lack perspective?
- ¶3: Morals boil down to… what? How can we settle differences?
- - - 2) Using feelings as our moral guide will lead to confusion or a 'might makes right' perspective.
- - - - How could it lead to confusion?
- - - - What is the ‘Might makes Right’ view?
- ¶4: A God would provide a definitive authority for deciding right/wrong.

Oct 23, Mon - Introduction to Ethics

Next Quiz/Test: Monday is Quiz 4a: Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

Handouts: Student Manual, Pages 79-98

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 4 - Ethics
Journal 4-1: Study Packet, page 15
- Answer these questions in 4-5 sentences, total
- - 1) How do you, personally, decide if something is good or bad (right or wrong) behavior?
- - 2) Describe three other ways that you think other people try to decide what good or bad (right or wrong) behavior is.

Ethics: Study Packet, Page 2

- Definition: The study of why & how we make moral choices

- Our Focus: How should we behave? 

Three Types of Ethical Statements: Study Packet, Page 2

- Cover Principles: Ethical statements with a broad & general focus

- - These apply to all situations. 

- - Examples: 

- - - Do what results in the greatest good for the greatest number

- - - Whatever you do should show love to God

- - These help unify your ethics in a way that makes sense

- Area Principles: Ethical statements with a narrower focus

- - These make the cover principle more practical & applicable

- - Examples: Do not steal. Do not murder. 

- Situation Rules: Very detailed instructions on how to live out a cover principle in a specific situation. 

- - Examples? 

- Think of the dress code at school

- - What is our 'Cover Principle'? 

- - - Probably something like, "Whatever we do will honor God" 

- - What might our Area Principle for the Dress Code be? 

- - - Probably something like, "Whatever we wear will honor God and be modest"

- - What might a situational rule be? 

- - - Skirts must be wtihin 4 inches of knees

Oct 20, Fri - Unit 3 Test

Next Quiz/Test: Today was your Unit 3 Test
- Next Monday is Quiz 4a: Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: We had none.  Students studied for and then took their Unit 3 test.

Oct 19, Thu - Quiz 4a Preparation

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 3 Test
- Monday, Oct 30, is Quiz 4a: Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

Handouts: Unit 4 Study Packet

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 25, 2016
- Devotion 1 Presentations: Reference your Devotion Presentation Schedule for your day.
- Book Report Project: Due November 16

Instructional Time: Unit 4 - Ethics
Journal: Study Packet, page 5
- Read the two translations of Matthew 22:36-40 (at top) very carefully
- Then, carefully work through the questions below
- - Write complete & thoughtful answers for each
- - If you don’t know ‘for sure,’ simply give your best guess!
- - Make sure to actually look up and read the other verses:
- Matthew 22:36-40 (HCSB), “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God w/all your heart, w/all your soul, and w/all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
- - 1) Why do you think this person wanted to know the greatest commandment?
- - 2) If you were to summarize this commandment in one word, what would it be? Why did you choose that word?
- - 3) What are we to love God with? List the words given in the verse & then summarize the big idea that you think this is teaching.
- - 4) Mark records a time that Jesus quoted this Greatest Commandment in Mark 12:30. Which word was added in & why do you think he added this?
- - 5) Read 1 John 4:20. Then answer this question: How is the 2nd greatest commandment like the 1st?
- - 6) How do you think that "All of the Law & Prophets depend on these two commands?" (NOTE: "Law & the Prophets" refers to all of the rules & laws in the Old Testament)
- - "Love" involves your feelings and passions, but it is so much more! It is also an attitude.  Furthermore, love is a 'verb,' which means it is a word that requires action.
- - 7) Read John 14:23.  What will a man do if he really loves God?
- - 8) What will Jesus & God the Father do if we love Him?

Quiz Preparation: Study Packet, page 4
- Your Verses: Matthew 22:36-40
- - Commandment: An order, or rule
- - Law: A reference to the first five Old Testament books
- - Love: See Short Answer #1
- - Heart, Soul, Mind: Words used to say 'all of who you are‘ (Mark 12:30 adds ‘strength’)
- - Prophets: A reference to the Old Testament Prophet books
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - 1) Describe the key verb in this verse that reveals the foundation of a Christian's ethics. 
- - - The idea of 'Love' is very rich! Love is...
- - - - A loyal commitment, it is 'covenantal' (part of what defines a faithful relationship)
- - - - Actions of kindness & compassion
- - - - Sacrificial (choosing to do what is good for who is loved, even if it seriously hurts)
- - - - Feelings of compassion, warm regard
- - 2) Concerning this word: From where does it come & to whom does it go? 
- - - The ability to love and the ultimate example of love ultimately comes from God (1 John 4:10, 19)
- - - When we express love, it must come from all of who we are (our heart, soul, mind, and strength)
- - - It first and most importantly goes to God; then it naturally goes to "our neighbors" (all others around us).

Oct 18, Wed - Unit 3 Review

Next Quiz/Test: Monday is your Unit 3 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: We jumped right into the review game below.

Unit 3 Review Game:
1. This is the physical thing where key chemicals & electrical processes of our body take place.
Brain
2. What were one of the two problems with the Elephant story?
It was self-defeating & it allowed for contradictions to exist
3. A Christian would say that this is like our 'soul,' it is the non-physical, spiritual element that ultimately contains our ideas & feelings
The mind
4. What are the three possible ways that a Christian could respond to a non-Christian culture?
They could be offended, delighted, or distressed
5. What is it called when God supernaturally changes the course of history or science?
A miracle.
6. What three things can be called "Truth" when they correctly reflect the world?
Thoughts, beliefs, or statements.
7. What did C.S. Lewis claim the relationship between Christianity & science was?
Christianity helped found/start modern science.
8. Reality consists of what two ‘worlds’?
The physical & spiritual worlds
9. What miracle distinguishes (to make something unique) Christianity from all other religions? 
The resurrection of Jesus Christ
10. There are many stories about miracles, how should a Christian respond to any of them?
Carefully consider it, not believe all, but not discount all
11. What studies the world through experiments, hypothesis, & observation?
Science
12. List 3 broad categories for how we can know things,
Trustworthy authority, Personal Experiences, Reason/logic/thinking-deeply, Revelation from God, Scientific Experimentation & Investigation, Intuition
13. What do you call something that someone believes or thinks?
An Opinion
14. For Christianity, simply believing something strongly & feeling peace about it is NOT a good way to determine if something is… what?
True/right/correct
15. What studies how we know what we know?
Epistemology
16. What believes that the only reliable way to get knowledge is by science?
Empiricism
17. In 1 Peter 1:13, Christians are told to prepare their …what… for …what…?
Minds for Action
18. In Isaiah 1:18, what does God invite us to do with Him?
Reason
19. What studies the nature of reality?
Metaphysics
20. What do you call something that has an ultimate meaning that destroys its own idea?
A Self-Defeating Statement
21. What are two reasons we talked about for why Christians can and should engage in science? 
- God gave us the job of ruling the world, we should know what we rule
- God calls on us to make our world a better place, science can help with this
- The Bible shares that creation points to God, by studying creation we can better understand both what God does & who God is!
22. This word defines what actually exists or happens, the 'real situation.'
Reality
23. What studies the nature of reality, knowledge, & truth?
Philosophy
24. List two things we talked about that do not make something true.
Our own belief in, feelings about, or opinions of it
25. What studies how to provide a reasoned defense for the Christian faith?
Apologetics
26. The Bible says that we can use this, along with the Bible, to defend what we belief.
Reason & logic

Oct 17, Tue - Learn to Discern Quiz

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 3 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Presentation: Be ready to present on your day! See class schedule.

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: We started today with a quiz. Then we had our binder check & finished talking about presenting devotions.

Oct 16, Mon - Devotion Presentation Instructions & Packet Work Time

Next Quiz/Test: Tomorrow is Quiz 3b: Learn to Discern
- Friday is your Unit 3 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)
- Devotion 1 Outline: Due Today! (typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal:
- On your Study Packet, page 8…
- - Work through “Miracles”
- - You will also need: Student Workbook, pg 61-62
- When done,
- - Review for tomorrow’s quiz
- - - Remember, your Binder Check is tomorrow, too!
- - Ensure all of these Study Packet pages are completed:
- - - 5) Studying Colossians 2:6-8
- - - 6) Elephant Story
- - - 7-8a) Verses on Truth, Knowledge, & our Mind
- - - 9) Self-Defeating Statements
- - - 10) Re:View Response to Culture

Re:View: Response to Culture B: Student Manual, Page 71
- Our LAST Dr. Brown video!
- On the bottom of this page, do this: Summarize the way that Dr. Brown says that Christians should respond to culture
- Start where they are
- - Stop to understand their culture
- Seek to build a bridge…
- - To connect them to God
- - To clearly present the Gospel
- - With the heart & mind of Jesus Christ (wisdom & love!)

Devotion Presentation Instructions: We talked through this together.

Oct 13, Fri - Engaging Culture like Paul

Next Quiz/Test: Tuesday is Quiz 3b: Learn to Discern
- Monday (Oct 23) is your Unit 3 Test

Handouts: Devotion 1 Presentation Schedule (yellow)

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)
- Devotion 1 Outline: Due Oct 16 (typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal 3-5: Study Packet, Page 13
- Read Acts 17:16-21 & then answer: 
- - 1) v16) How did Paul feel/react to seeing a city that was full of people worshiping false gods (idols)? 
- - - "His spirit was provoked within him" -- He was saddened & distressed by the things they believed to be true that were actually false!
- - 2) Every day, what was Paul doing & where did he do it? 
- - - He reasoned for believing in Jesus Christ

- - - He did this in the synagogue & marketplace
- - 3) v18) What were the different responses the people of Athens (Athenians) had toward Paul? 
- - - Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him

- - - Some called him a babbler 

- - - Some noted that he was he was arguing for another god

- - - They brought him to a common place (like a community theater) to explain his ideas fully

- - 4) v18) What as Paul preaching?

- - - The good news about Jesus & the resurrection!
- Done with that? Now read Acts 17:22-34 & answer: 
- - 5) List at least two ways that Paul shared Jesus with the Athenians by engaging them with their own culture. 
- - - He connected to their altar "to an unknown god"

- - - He quoted their poets, "we are his offspring"
- - 6) vv32-34) In the end, what were the different responses Athenians had toward Paul? 
- - - Some of them mocked him

- - - Some wanted to hear more

- - - Some became followers & believed
- - 7) Summarize what Paul taught about God. 

- - - There are may things about God that you could mention!  

- - - God will judge the world, raising Jesus from the dead is evidence of that

We discussed this journal at length later int he period.

Journal Turn & Talk:

- What are some key lessons we can learn from how Paul shared Jesus with people in this passage?
- - Does your heart ‘feel’ for them?
- - Do you try to respectfully reason with them?
- - Do you use language and ideas that they know to help them know the God that they do not yet understand?
- - Do you keep going, even when many people mock?
- - Do you tell the important truths about God?

When done, ensure these Study Packet pages are completed:
- 5) Studying Colossians 2:6-8
- 6) Elephant Story
- 7-8a) Verses on Truth, Knowledge, & our Mind
- 9) Self-Defeating Statements
- 10) Re:View Response to Culture

Oct 12, Thu - Christianity & Science; Using our Minds

Next Quiz/Test: Tuesday is Quiz 3b: Learn to Discern

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Outline: Due Oct 16 (typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal 3-4: Study Packet, Page 13
- C. S. Lewis said Christianity is “The mother of modern science.”
- In 4 total sentences, answer questions 1 & 2:
- - 1) Explain what you think he meant by this.
- - 2) Do you agree with this idea?  Why or why not?
- Lewis also claimed that, Christians should expect to find laws in nature because they believed in a divine Lawgiver.
- In 3 total sentences, answer questions 3:
- - 3) Explain what you think this means.

Christianity and Science: Study Packet, Page 2-3

“Since the world had been created by a reasonable God, [scientists] were not surprised to find a correlation between themselves as observers & the thing observed…Without this foundation, modern Western science would not have been born.” – Francis Schaeffer

- If one God gave us…
- - - The world to live within
- - - Our 5 senses to observe the world
- - - Our minds to understand the world
- - … then, isn’t it reasonable & right to use our sense and mind to understand the world that he put us to live within?
- If God is a god of order and design, then…
- - Shouldn’t we be able to find order & design in what He made?
- - There have been MANY Christian scientists throughout the ages that have agreed with these ideas!
- - - “There are supernatural roots to modern science.” - Norman L. Geisler and J. Kerby Anderson
- - - At this point I showed a list of these 26 different scientists who are also Christians: Robert Grosseteste, Roger Bacon, Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Francis Bacon, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, William Harvey, Blaise Pascal, Robert Boyle, Sir Isaac Newton, Antony van Leeuwenhoek, Carolus Linnaeus, William Herschel, John Herschel, Samuel F. B. Morse, Michael Faraday, Charles Babbage, James Prescotte Joule, Lord Kelvin, James Clerk Maxwell, Gregor Mendel, Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister, Henrietta Swan Leavitte, George Washington Carver, and Wernher von Braun

- C. S. Lewis references Christianity’s key role in the development of modern science,
- - "No doubt those who really founded modern science were usually those whose love of truth exceeded their love of power" (The Abolition of Man)
- Why should Christians engage in science? (Short Answer 1)
- - God gave us the job of ruling the world,
- - - We should know what we rule
- - God calls on us to make our world a better place,
- - - Science can help with this (if it is used rightly!)
- - The Bible shares that creation points to God,
- - - By studying creation we can better understand both what God does & who God is!
- - Are there any other reasons you can think of?


Should We Think Through Our Faith? Study Packet, Page 3

The Bible makes it clear Christians should use their minds!
- Colossians 2:8 (NIV), "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."
- - Our philosophy should be based upon Jesus
- Isaiah 1:18 (NIV), "Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
- - God invites us to reason w/Him
- 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV), "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"
- - Christians should give answers & (logical) reasons for their hope (& belief)
- 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV), "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming."
- - We should prepare our minds for action!

Study Packet Work Time: After this, students worked on these Study Packet Pages
- Re:View Response to Culture: Page 10
- - Answer the bottom reflection questions
- - Make sure the top is filled in
- Self-Defeating Statements: Page 9
- - Work with your table-group to complete this
- - Read through each of the statements
- - - Describe how it is self-defeating.
- - - Example for #1:
- - - - Statement: “I cannot type a word in English”
- - - - Answer: “This is typed in English”
- All done?
- - Ensure page 5 & 6 are done
- - Work on your Devotion

Unit 3 Process Grid:

Oct 11, Wed - Epistemology & Science

Next Quiz/Test: Tuesday is Quiz 3b: Learn to Discern

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Outline: Due Oct 16 (typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal 3-3: Study Packet, Page 12
- Open your Study Packet to pg 7 & answer this for Journal 2-1

- - How do you know what is real (the truth)?
- - Write a 5-7 sentence paragraph explaining how you can learn what is real.
- You could answer such things as:
- - From what people or things do you get the truth?
- - How do you try and discover it on your own?
- - Why do you trust these sources?
- - How do you test what you are told is true?
- You’re all done?  Work on these things…
- - Work on Devotion 1 (Due Monday)
- - Read your Book Report book

Epistemology: Study Packet, Page 2 – Student Workbook, Pages 58-59
- Epistemology: The study of how we know what we know
- We can gain our knowledge from many sources: Here are 6 of them:
- - A trustworthy authority
- - Personal Experiences
- - Reason (logic, thinking deeply)
- - Revelation from God
- - Scientific Experimentation & Investigation
- - Intuition
- Are there any others that you can think of?

Christianity and Science: Study Packet, Page 2-3
- Science: The study of the world (nature) through observations, experimentation, & hypothesis.
- There are many branches of scientific study: For example...
- - Earth and Space Science: Astronomy and Geoscience (climate, geology, etc…)
- - Social Science: Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Archaeology, and History
- - Life Science: Functional (medicine, physiology, etc…) and Cellular Biology
- - Physical Science: Chemistry and Physics
- - Formal Science: Mathematics and Logic (reasoning & philosophy)
- Empiricism: The belief that science is the only reliable way to get knowledge (the atheist belief)
- - In essence, they say, “Science is the only way to know knowledge— I know because science has told me this”
- - - Interestingly, science can’t tell you this…
- - It is like saying… “The Bible is God’s Word and I can trust it— I know because the Bible tells me.”
- - Empiricism involves circular reasoning and it is even self-defeating!

Oct 10, Tue - Responding to Culture (Part 2!) & Miracles

Next Quiz/Test: Tuesday is Quiz 3b: Learn to Discern

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion 1 Outline: Due Oct 16 (typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: Study Packet, Page 10
- Dr. Brown encourages us Christians to: "Build a bridge to engage the culture with Jesus’ heart & mind"
- For each of the following situations, we considered these three questions:
- - Being offended by culture?
- - Assimilating into culture?
- - Engaging the culture w/Jesus’ mind & heart?
- Here are the situations: Take notes on page 10 of your Study Packet
- - If this guy walked up to you while at the mall, how might a Christian respond if they were a Christian who was…
- - If no one ever sat with this girl at lunch, how might a Christian respond if they were a Christian who was…
- - As you are walking around, you see these teens drinking beer— how might a Christian respond if they were a Christian who was…
- Confused? Come talk with your teacher or a classmate to get clarification

“In” but not “of” the world:
- Christians are to be in the world, but not ‘of’ the world
- Consider how the Bible addresses this issue in these two verses:
- - “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” – Jesus (John 17:14-18)
- - “You are from God… They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.” – John (1 John 4:4-5)

Miracles: Study Packet, Page 3

- Miracle: God's supernatural change of the normal way history or science would go

- A Christian should not disbelieve every miracle they hear about

- - A Christian should not believe every miracle they hear about

- - A Christian should examine the evidence on a case-by-case basis

- Biblical examples of miracles: 

- - Gen 1-11) Creation, the worldwide flood, & the confusion of human language  

- - Gen 19:24) The destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah

- - Ex 7:5, 8:10, 9:14) The plagues on Egypt 

- - Ex 14:21-28) Israel crossing of Red Sea 

- - Resurrection of Jesus Christ) Seen in all 4 Gospels

- - - This is the key miracle for Christians

- - - Strong historical evidence supports this
- - - This miracle distinguishes Christianity from all other religions

Oct 9, Mon - Responding to Culture (Part 1)

Next Quiz/Test: Next Tuesday is Quiz 3b: Learn to Discern

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion Assignment Key Due Dates: Preparation Part 2 (Due today!), Outline Form (Oct 16, typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy

Journal: Take out your Student Workbook& go to page 68 & read the stop paragraph. Then, preview questions 1-5.

Video: Re:View:Seen: Student Workbook, Page 68

- When does Darren realize it is his life on stage?  What about Deborah? 

- How do the people in the audience respond throughout the play? 

- What is the pivotal point of the play? What caused it? How was it resolved? How did the audience respond? 

- If you had a similar opportunity to change something about your life, what would it be? How would this change affect those who are watching? 

- What do you think the guy at the end of the play meant when he said, “Will you be the changed or the change?” 

- Key Ideas: 

- - Your life plays out to an audience every day: Will you change it for the better?

- - Don’t let the world change you, instead change the world!

Video) Re:View: Response to Culture A: Student Workbook, page 70
- 1) What are the 3 responses we can have to culture?
- - We can be Offended, Delighted, or Distressed
- 2) What are the 3 actions these responses lead to? 
- - Offended: Withdrawal, Isolation
- - Delighted: Assimilated
- - Distressed: Engagement
- 3) Why do many Christians choose to withdraw from culture?
- - They may believe the secular world is inherently evil
- - They may believe that interacting w/it causes too many temptations for people to turn away from God.
- - Christians are ‘citizens of 2 worlds’: Jesus’ & our culture. How we manage this can be a serious problem!
- - “In” but not “of” the world: Christians are to be in the world, but not ‘of’ the world
- - - “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” – Jesus (John 17:14-18)
- - - “You are from God… They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.” – John (1 John 4:4-5)

- 4) Why do many Christians choose to assimilate into culture?

- - They may want to fit in and be accepted by others more than by God.
- - They may enjoy the culture & not want to miss out on it
- - They may adapt their Christian beliefs to match the culture or simply forget their beliefs at convenient times.
- 5) What are some ways Christians can become aware of what’s going on in culture w/o becoming part of it? 
- - Your thoughts?
- - Understand the heart & desires of the culture
- - Communicate Jesus to them through their values
- - Build a bridge to engage them w/Jesus’ heart & mind!

Test Short Answer 2: List and describe the three responses and corresponding actions that Christians could have toward an un-Christian culture. Explain why the third way (as presented in class) is best!
 - 1) Offended: We are hurt/annoyed by it.
- - Withdraw: We go away from it.
- 2) Delighted: We really like it!
- - Assimilated: We become like it (e.g. music, language, etc…)
- 3) Distressed: We are made sad by it & want to help it
- - Engaged: We actively work in it to help it

Oct 6, Fri - Quiz 3a

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 3a: Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion Assignment Key Due Dates: Preparation Part 2 (Oct 9, submitted in-class), Outline Form (Oct 16, typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.

Oct 5, Thu - Metaphysics & Miracles

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 3a: Colossians 2:6-8

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion Assignment Key Due Dates: Preparation Part 2 (Oct 9, submitted in-class), Outline Form (Oct 16, typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal 3-2: Study Packet, Page 11

- Open your Student Workbook to page 61

- - Read the section entitled, “What is Reality?”

- Answer these questions as this journal

- - 1) In your own words, summarize what Metaphysics is.

- - 2) Briefly describe the three main metaphysical views. 

- - 3) Summarize what this said that supernaturalism believes about what a human being includes. 

- You’re all done?  Work on these things…

- - Study for Monday’s quiz

- - Work on Studying for Devotion 1, Part 2 (Due Monday)

- - Read your Book Report book

Metaphysics: Study Packet, Page 2

- Metaphysics: The study of the nature of reality

- Three main views about what reality consists of 

- - Materialism: Reality is only physical (Atheist belief) 

- - Super-naturalism: Reality is physical & spiritual  

- - - E.g. Christians believe people have both a… 

- - - - Brain: The physical thing in which chemical and electrical processes take place

- - - - Mind: Non-physical, spiritual things that contain our ideas and feelings (the soul). 

- - Spiritualism: Reality is ultimately only spiritual (Pantheist belief) 

Oct 4, Wed - The Elephant Story & Devotions

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 3a: Colossians 2:6-8

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion Assignment Key Due Dates: Preparation Part 2 (Oct 9, submitted in-class), Outline Form (Oct 16, typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: Study Packet (Page 6) & Student Manual (Page 74)
- Take out your Devotion 1 Preparation, Part 2. Set them on your table, next to you so I can get them. Then start this journal:
- Take out your Study Packet & go to page 6
- - Keep this open/bookmarked
- - We’ll work on this together as a class in a short bit.
- Open your Student Manual to page 74
- - Read the first page of this article, “The Trouble with the Elephant”
- When you get more time--Read through the rest of this article

The Elephant Story: Study Packet, Page 6
- Why doesn’t this illustration work to claim: “All religions are just part of the greater truth about God”
- Two Problems
- - It is self-defeating
- - - “Each of us is blind.”
- - - “But I’ll tell you what the world looks like.” (You couldn't really see that if everyone was blind)
- - - You can fill this out on page 2 of your study packet:
- - - - We see this in The Elephant Story (pg 6) through how people claim, “I can see that no one can really see what is spiritually true.” This is quite the spiritual insight!
- - It allows for contradictions to both be true
- - - Religions disagree on key points!
- - - - Example: Is Jesus Only God, Only a man, Both God & man, a man who became God, an angel who became a man, or something else?
- - - You are left with one of two choices:
- - - - Claiming there is no real way to know the truth
- - - - Choosing to accept views that conflict!
- Christian view
- - God is not passive, still, & silent…
- - - In this fable, the elephant seems to be more of a statue that anything else!
- - But, in the Bible, it teaches us a very different view of our God!
- - - He is active, involved & He told us who He is and what He wants!
- - - He doesn't sit there waiting for us to figure out who He is--He tells us who He is!

- Christian reapplication/reinterpretation of The Elephant Fable:
- - We are indeed all blind!
- - - None of us can truly see things spiritually.
- - - - "Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."" - John 3:3
- - - - "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 2:14
- - - Sometimes we find some part that seems to be true, but we are so blind & confused that we never totally get it!
- - For us to actually see, it would require that God 'reaches down' to us!
- - - Throughout history, God has done that very thing!
- - - - He has spoken to prophets in our language, through our cultures, to communicate what He wants us to know
- - - Ultimately this was most powerfully seen with Jesus!
- - - - Here, God took on the form of man to communicate to us in a way that we could understand far more than any other way!
- - - And now we, who were blind, can now know the truth because the one with true sight has told us what it is!
- - - - "No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father." - John 6:46

Devotion Instructions: We finished discussing this today.
- Your Devotion is due in 1.5 weeks!
- - Type it on the form that I e-mail out tonight
- - Submit it to TurnItIn.com by 8am
- - Print out a copy, hole-punch it, & put it in your binder
- Use what you have learned and studied from…
- - Understanding the Bible
- - Devotion 1 Preparation, Parts 1 & 2

Oct 3, Tue - Truth, Opinion, Apologetics, & Self-Defeating Statements

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 3a: Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion Assignment Key Due Dates: Preparation Part 2 (Oct 9, submitted in-class), Outline Form (Oct 16, typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal 3-1: Study Packet, Page 11

"Everything we hear is an opinion not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth" - Marcus Aurelius
- What do you think of this quote?  Is it true?  Is it not?
- Write about your own opinion about this truth-claim
- Use 5 or more sentences to explain your answer

What is Truth? Study Packet, Page 2
- Truth: A thought, belief, or statement that correctly reflects the world as it really is
- - It conforms & agrees w/reality
- - Truth is not 'made' by someone's opinions, beliefs/faith, strong feelings, or sense of peace.
- - Religious faith should be supported by true evidence
- - Evidence can test faith & feelings to find the truth
- Reality: The real situation
- - Something that actually exists or happens (similar to truth)
- Opinion: What one thinks or believes about something
- - Just because you believe something, doesn't make it true!

Application of Truth!
- What is wrong with this conversation?
- - - Bill: “Get off the road, there’s a bus speeding at you!”
- - - Sally: “That’s just your truth.”
- - - Bill: “Well, I guess what is true for me isn’t always true for you”
- - This confuses ‘truth’ with ‘opinion’
- What is wrong with this conversation?
- - - Sally : “I don’t believe there are ‘absolute truths’.”
- - - Bill : “Really?”
- - - Sally : “Absolutely!”
- - In a way, this also confuses ‘truth’ with ‘opinion’
- - Also, it is a “Self-Defeating Statement”

Apologetics: Study Packet, Page 2
- Apologetics: To defend the faith with logical answers
- Apologist: This is someone who does apologetics
- Self-Defeating Statement: A statement with an ultimate meaning that destroys its own idea.
- - Examples:
- - - There are no absolute truths:
- - - - This can’t be absolutely true…
- - - You can’t know the truth:
- - - - They can’t know this is true…
- - - All truth is relative:
- - - - But, if this truth is relative, too, that means it all isn’t....
- - - The Elephant Story: We see this in The Elephant Story (pg 6) through how people claim, “I can see that no one can really see what is spiritually true.” This is quite the spiritual insight!

Christian Apologetics: Study Packet, Page 3
- In this, people…
- - Defend Christianity from evidence in many areas of study
- - - Including, but not limited to: Theology, philosophy, & the different branches of science
- They will…
- - Defend how Christianity agrees with true philosophy & science
- - - As has been said, “All truth is God’s truth.”

At this point we looked at & discussed a series of quotes by different people concerning truth, reality, & opinions. We considered if they were speaking the truth or if it was only an opinion.

Self-Defeating Statements:
- If you'd like to study these more, here is a website you can check out: LINK
- Also, here is a longer list of Self-defeating statements from that website
- - You can see the website for explanations of these.
- Examples:
- - I cannot type a word in English
- - There is no truth.
- - You can't know truth.
- - No one has the truth.
- - All truth is relative.
- - All truth is relative.
- - It's true for you but not for me.
- - There are no absolutes.
- - No one can know any truth about religion.
- - You can't know anything for sure.
- - You should doubt everything.
- - Only science can give us truth.
- - You can only know truth through experience.
- - All truth depends on your perspective.
- - You shouldn't judge.
- - You shouldn't force your morality on people.
- - You should live and let live.
- - God doesn't take sides.
- - You shouldn't try to convert people.
- - That's just your view.
- - You should be tolerant of all views.
- - It is arrogant to claim to have the truth.

Oct 2, Mon - Quiz 3a Preparation

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 3a: Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)

Handouts: Unit 3 Study Packet (white) & Student Manual (blue & white)

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2017

- Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 14 (report on TurnItIn.com; Art Project @ start of class)

- Devotion Assignment Key Due Dates: Preparation Part 1 (Due today!), Preparation Part 2 (Oct 9, submitted in-class), Outline Form (Oct 16, typed submitted to TurnItIn.com by 8am)

Instructional Time: Unit 3 - Philosophy
Journal: Unit 3 Study Packet, Page 5

- On page 5)
- - Read both translations of the verses on top
- - Work on the questions at the bottom
- When you are done:
- - Work on your Devotion 1 Preparation, Part 2
- - - This is due on Wednesday!
- - Study for your quiz
- - - This is on Friday
- - Work on your Devotion Outline Form rough draft
- - - Devotion 1 is due on October 17, typed & submitted onto TurnItIn.com

Unit 2 – Philosophy: Study Packet, Page 2

- Definition: “The study of truth, knowledge, & the nature of ultimate reality.”
- - The Greek: Philo ( “love of”) & Sophia (“wisdom”)
- Our Focus: What is truth? How do we know?
- In this unit we study how to understand what is true (e.g. reality), and what is not.
- - Why is it important to know what is true & what is not?
- Some teacher thoughts…
- - - It affects how you think of yourself & others
- - - It affects your decisions & actions
- - - Knowing the answer of these questions is vital—
- - - If you get it wrong, it can be disastrous! (H2O vs. H2SO4) 

Quiz 3a Preparation: On your Study Packet, Page 3, fill out this information

- Your Verses: Colossians 2:6-8

- Your Vocabulary:  

- - Received: To accept & take as a close friend

- - Established: To make permanent & sure

- - Abounding: Over-flowing; more than enough

- - Deceit: Lies (‘un-truth’)

- - Elemental Spirits: Simple powers/spirits of the world

- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer… 

- - 1) What should the foundation of a Christian's understanding of truth be upon and why should it be upon this? 

- - - What? It should be based upon Jesus, who He is & what He says

- - - Why?
- - - - Since He is a Christian's "Lord" (master, ruler, king, boss), a Christian should listen to what He says

- - - - Since He is God, then He knows everything--He perfectly understands truth & so we should go to Him to find out what the ultimate truth really is! 

- - 2) What types of truth-claims are Christians warned to avoid and why are they warned to avoid them? 

- - - What? Any philosophy or empty deceit that are based on human tradition or elemental spirits

- - - Why? They aren't based on the actual truth of God (Jesus, they are 'not according to Christ')