Who Am I? Simple, Biblical Truths Solve Our Culture’s Identity Crisis with Martyn Iles

Welcome to the Master Books podcast! In today's episode, we delve into the insightful world of identity and culture with Martyn Iles, the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis. Our focus revolves around his latest book titled Who Am I? Solving the Identity Puzzle.

In Who Am I?, Martyn Iles boldly addresses the contemporary shift towards self-created identity, offering truth and hope rooted in God’s Word. This book serves as a double-edged sword of biblical truth, cutting through the layers of deception prevalent in our culture today. Whether utilized in family devotions, Bible study groups, or evangelical gatherings, Who Am I? equips readers to reclaim a firmly rooted biblical understanding of identity.

Designed with modern aesthetics and reader-friendly formatting, this critical Christian resource beckons individuals to delve into the transformative power of Christ's work on the Cross. Join us as we explore the profound insights and practical wisdom found within the pages of Who Am I? with Martyn Iles.

TimeStamps:

2:56 - Martyn shares his new role as Executive CEO at Answers in Genesis and his background as a lawyer who worked on religious freedom cases. He also took biblical truth into the public square with grass roots movements and a youth training program for biblical worldview.

5:20 - Book quote: "We are trapped by a morbid obsession with self, personality, well-being, and the unending quest to find out what makes us tick." 

5:39 - How does the self-created worldview lead to self worship? Martyn shares how this worldview negatively impacts our acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as good news.

12:13 - The "self" and a narcissistic inclination creates a worldview

12:29 - A self-created worldview often leads to depression, social anxiety, increased rates of suicide, and their need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

12:54 - Is self good or bad? 

13:37 - The Bible warns us about the self.

13:45 - Jesus says in Mark chapter 7  - the things that defile a person come from within or out of the heart of man. And then He lists 14 really grave sins.

14:30 - Martyn addresses the sin of pride and the celebration of it happening now in our culture with no hint of shame.

15:32 - Survey shows that less than 30% of the people polled strongly believed that lying is always wrong.

16:50 - For someone beholden to the identity theory of life, the best hope they have is found in how they feel about themselves. Only 40% of young people state that they feel good about themselves.

17:43 - Martyn shares what the identity theory of life does to our attitude about the gospel. The gospel is only for those who need a Savior.

18:15 - The identity theory is as opposite to the gospel as anything ever could be.

19:58 - Self Esteem: As the culture moves further and further away from Christian foundations,self esteem becomes self-worship.

Links:

Who Am I? Solving the Identity Puzzle