I want to introduce a series of articles concerned with living morally in an increasingly immoral world. In the first few articles, let us examine the logical relationships between morality, ethics, law, society, and God. Certainly, we must first understand the meaning of morality in order to discuss it in relation to God and his word. Furthermore, without an understanding of morality and its link to scriptures, we cannot refute those who appeal to the adulterated conscience of mankind, apart from God, to substantiate liberal views of morality which seek to gratify the flesh in ungodliness.
If you ever took philosophy in college, did your professor inform you never to bring up a discussion concerning God and religion because he would unmercifully disprove your position? More than likely, you may have been a freshmen just out of high school and were afraid to confront an older and apparently “wiser” professor. So, no one ever brought up God or religion in class. Instead, you studied the belief systems of Plato, Socrates, and others. Maybe, and thankfully, you finally were able to study some philosophers who believed in God.
Notice, I said the “belief systems” of philosophers. Webster’s new Collegiate Dictionary defines philosophy as: “1 a: pursuit of wisdom b: a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means c: an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs … all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts … the science and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology”. Now, my point is that morality as espoused by mortal men who appeal to no higher form of thinking than mortality itself is simply a value system concocted in their own earthly mind. And, to put faith in the value systems of mortal men, based upon speculative reasoning is to trust in humanism.
Humanism is defined by Webster as: “a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; esp.: a philosophy that asserts the dignity and worth of man and his capacity for self-realization through reason and that often rejects supernaturalism. Notice that humanism is centered on human interest instead of godly interests. And, humanism is interested in self-realization instead of spiritual-realization in Christ. So, each one of us must decide if we are going to embrace humanism or God. We cannot embrace both – one must be rejected. Jesus says that: “24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24).
Humanistic philosophies and interests contradict the Bible and therefore are contrary to godly living. Note these passages as Jesus and Paul teach to deny, crucify, lose self; they do not teach to seek human interests and values in obtaining self-realization as taught by humanists. (Matt. 16:24; Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:13; 1 Cor. 15:31).
Onward Rejoicing, John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
