The search function searches Bible class descriptions and transcripts. When the search function finds the search word or phrase, you will be presented with links to the classes that contain those words. The link will take you to the class audio page. If you want to find where the search phase is located in the Bible class transcript, click on the Transcript:read link to view the transcript. Once in the transcript window, type Ctrl-F (PC) or Cmd-F (Mac) to enter the word or phrase in the browser search box, and it will show you all occurrences of your search word(s).
Search Tips
Entering a search string with no other criteria (such as AND, NOT, or quote marks) will return some of the context around the words you entered (which are highlighted) as well as a link to the audio player for the class. That page will also have links to the video, transcript, and slides for that class.
Entering two search terms separated by the word AND will return links to all items which contain both of those terms as well as part of the description of each class.
Entering two terms separated by the word NOT will return links to all items which contain the first term but not the second term as well as part of the description of each class.
Entering a search string in quotes will return links to items that contain the exact phrase as well as part of the description of each class.
A Mini-Series is a small subset of lessons from a major series which covers a particular subject or book. The class numbers will be in reference to the major series rather than the mini-series.
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. It attempts to answer questions regarding the origin of human knowledge, and considers especially how we can know with certainty. Epistemological answers are basic and necessary building blocks of any philosophy, worldview, or belief system. In fact, of the four major components of philosophy and worldview (epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and socio-‐political thought), none can be adequately addressed until we answer the question of how we can know. Regarding metaphysics, for example, we can’t make legitimate assertions about the character of God or the existence of the human soul until we first address how such assertions can be verified or falsified. Further, unless we have a means for validating ethical prescriptions as either worthy or unworthy, we have no warrant for choosing one prescription over another – especially when we encounter apparently competing or conflicting goods. And if we have no mechanism for authentication, then how can we even arrive at a definition of what is good in the first place? Finally, in socio-‐political thought, on what basis can we choose one system of government over another, or how can we determine whether a law is commendable? Without correct epistemological answers, there is no basis for our understanding or choosing one thing over another. In short, epistemology is really about authority, verifiability, truth, and certainty.
Imagine a person – we’ll call him Bob. Bob has just received the gift of consciousness. For the first time in Bob’s existence he is aware. Bob examines his surroundings and he finds himself standing in rolling sun-‐drenched fields of dandelions under a beautifully clear mid-‐day sky. Of course, Bob has no knowledge of what anything around him is or what any of it means, because this is the first time he has ever encountered any of these things. Bob begins to ponder. “Here I am, I suppose, now what?” Bob has to figure out how to answer that question before he takes his first step, lest he make the wrong assumptions and step in the wrong direction. He begins a quest to decipher the right understanding of who and what he is, and how he must proceed, but he isn’t certain of whether or not he has the right tools for the task. In fact, he isn’t certain of anything.
