A.In this series, several truths have been established concerning humanism.
1.It is a dominant religion in our culture that is virtually undetected among us.
2.It has had profound effects on individuals, families, churches, and the nation.
3.Its lies have spread by influence and propaganda in popular media, politics, churches, and especially public schools.
B.In this final lesson, we will consider some Scriptural principles to help us detect, guard against, and refute the invisible religion of humanism.
1.The purpose of this lesson is not to convince humanists of the reality of God.Humanists have rejected all divine revelation, so Scriptural references will mean nothing to them.
2.The purpose here is to alert Christians to the influence of this godless philosophy and the truth of God that proves its error and protects us against it.
II.SCRIPTURE AGAINST HUMANISM
A.Psalm 14:1 – "The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
1.God’s existence has been self-evident in the world, His creation, since the beginning of time.
a.The intricate detail and perfect design of the creation demand that a wise and powerful Creator made it all.God’s works testify of Him (Ps. 19:1-6).
b.Even within ourselves, we find the undeniable evidence of God (Rom. 1:18-20).
2.Those who believe in humanism are built upon a foundation of abject foolishness.
a.Although humanists declare that their philosophy is founded upon reason and intellect, they lack "the beginning of knowledge,” which is the fear of God (Prov. 1:7).
b.Humanists seek for fulfillment through knowledge and experience, but they fail to observe the whole duty of man, which is to "fear God and keep His commandments” (Eccl. 12:13).
c."The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1; 53:1), but humanists go beyond foolishness when they declare their disbelief openly and proudly.Moreover, humanist organizations extol the virtues of disbelief.
d.Humanists fail to acknowledge the spiritual part of man that is made in God’s image and will exist forever.By this neglect, they condemn themselves to an eternity separated from God (2Thess. 1:9).
e.Some humanists even admit their foolishness.Consider the words of Professor Richard Lewontin, a world leader in evolutionary biology:
"We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated.Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door.”
B.Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
1.Human reasoning cannot account for the origin or the destination of anything.
a.Humanists say that the universe is "self-existing and not created” (HMI)."Self-existing” is the same as saying that the universe made itself.It that reasonable?
b.Humanists make no attempt to predict mankind’s ultimate destination.The only explanation humanists have for the goal of humanity is to make humanity better.
c.What good are we if we do not know from where we have come or to where we are going?What satisfaction can such meaningless life bring?
2.Because humanists do not believe in God’s creation, they fail to see man in the proper perspective.
a.The meaning of life can only be understood through an understanding of God.Man exists to serve and glorify God (Eccl. 12:13; Matt. 5:16; 1Cor. 11:7; Eph. 2:10).
b.Man is mighty in this world, but he is insignificant in comparison to the God of heaven.The psalmists expressed this well in Psalm 8:3-8 and 33:6-9.
C.Jeremiah 10:23 – "I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.”
1.Whenever man has attempted to guide himself, it has been an abysmal failure.
a.Individually, a person who lives without regard for God walks in darkness and is bound to stumble without the light of God’s word (Ps. 119:105).
b.Collectively, when men attempt to eliminate God from a culture or nation, it is always a disaster (consider the failure and brutality of communism, which is a practice strongly advocated by the humanist manifestos).Nevertheless, humanists diligently seek to eliminate God from our nation today.
2.Without respect for God, accountability to Him, and fear of His wrath, there is no standard for man’s conduct.This leaves us in moral chaos.
a.Humanists claim that morality and ethics are the results of mankind’s experience and common interests.Moral behavior has evolved in man by necessity.
b.The truth is that without fear of punishment from an authoritative source (God, government, parents, etc.), man tends toward anarchy and self-destruction.
c.Instead of afflicting ourselves with such foolish behavior, the Scripture counsels us to trust in God in Proverbs 3:5-7 – "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”
D.Deuteronomy 6:5 – "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
1.When the Lord Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest in the Law, He said that it was this one from Deuteronomy 6:5.However, He also added a second commandment.Notice His full answer from Matthew 22:37-40:
"‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the great and foremost commandment.The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
2.Humanists appear to elevate the second commandment while denying the first.However, they cannot truly love their neighbors without the love of God.
a.Humanists have been tremendously successful in converting people to their philosophy because it appears to be good on the surface.They claim to promote happiness, peace, compassion, freedom, fairness, etc.
b.However, the substance of humanism is meaningless and detrimental to humanity.
i.It destroys man’s relationship with God, who is the source of everything that is good (Jas. 1:17).
ii.It destroys man’s ability to love his neighbor because love for mankind flows from love for God (Matt. 5:43-48; 1John 4:7-11, 20-5:3).
3.Let us beware of everything that emphasizes love of man while neglecting love of God.
a.This philosophy is strong in the world and is manifested in many ungodly ways (the spoiling of children, charity and welfare that encourage laziness, public school emphasis on self-esteem, socialism, communism, etc.).
b.It has also crept into the church so that too often social relationships between Christians are emphasized while the spiritual relationship between them and God is neglected.
i.What good is it if we get along with one another but have enmity with God?
ii.What good is it if we avoid offending one another but instead offend God?
III.CONCLUSION
A.This series is only the beginning of all that needs to be said and understood about the powerful influence of humanism, the invisible religion among us.
B.Let us pray that God will open our eyes to this influence and guard our hearts against it.Let us look to the Scriptures for guidance and protection."From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Ps. 119:104).
