A lot of people today in America are pointing to the increasing sense of diversity and

multi-ethnic, multi-religious context in which we live and all the businesses where you work are talking about, you know, diversity training

and all that kind of thing.

And a lot of people are saying, whoa, this means that we have to be less authoritative

and less dogmatic and unjust to this new setting.

And David Wells, who's a historian as well as the theologian, says, it's very interesting

that that's the conclusion being drawn because really what's happening in America is that

we're simply becoming like cities that Paul originally planted the church in.

What makes bold, reasoned persuasion essential to the Christian life?

In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper draws on Paul's example to show how

truth-filled teaching can transform lives in a pluralistic culture.

This seminar was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on April 6, 1994.

We talked first about why truth is under siege today and gave about 15 reasons cultural and spiritual.

Then we began of why truth is so crucial, biblical reasons for why truth is so crucial.

And we're on reason number five.

So I'm going to pick up here and reason number five for

why truth is so crucial is because I see in the Bible Paul's custom in the book of

Acts of reasoning and persuading from the truth of scripture.

For example, several cities, we'll just use several cities as an example on his missionary journey

in Thessalonica. According to Paul's custom, he went to them and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures.

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas.

So it may not have been his total mode, but it was an essential part of the way he did evangelism

...