The Bible Vs Humanism

Humanism is a pervasive and pernicious religion. It exalts man above his place in the universe, declaring that man has the answers to life’s most perplexing questions and problems. We must resist its doctrines if we hope to please God and find true meaning and satisfaction in life.

Life After Death
The humanist denies there is any life after death. He believes when we die, our existence ends. The Humanist Manifesto II puts it this way, “There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body.” They ignore the best evidence there is because it contradicts their theory.

It is true there is no laboratory at a research facility where life after death can be tested and retested. There is no formula or mathematical equation to be applied for proof of the afterlife. No vehicle exists to take us to the other side and bring us back. It is also true that there is no test, formula, or evidence that life does not exist beyond death.

The evidence that does exist is testimony. It is the same type of evidence that is the foundation for much of this world’s history; people and events of the past are known because of testimony. The accounts of life after death are credible and powerful. One example will suffice. Jesus was raised from the dead (John 20:1-9). The evidence tells us that He was seen by many people, including over 500 people on one occasion, after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

We not only have the life of Jesus after His death to prove the afterlife, but we also have His declarations about it (Matthew 10:28; 22:23-33; Luke 16:19-31). This being true, we need to prepare for life after death.

Salvation
Humanists do not believe in a Savior or salvation, because they do not believe in moral standards. They say, “No deity will save us; we must save ourselves,” and “Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful” (Humanist Manifesto II). Their idea of saving ourselves has nothing to do with morality, but everything to do with things like animal rights, homosexual tolerance, and gutting God from society (because religion is the scourge of the earth).

A brief look at humanity will quickly bring the sober-minded person to the conclusion that man does not have the answers; man cannot save himself. Turmoil and confusion reign. There are almost as many opinions as there are people. Thus, we know the way of man is not in himself (Jeremiah 10:23). We must look to a higher standard. That standard is God’s Word.

It tells us we are sinners and need salvation (Romans 3:23-26). Salvation can only be found in Jesus (Acts 4:12). If we do not turn to the Savior for redemption, then when we stand before God on judgment we will lose our souls (Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Counter-Acting Human Wisdom
The way to resist humanist doctrine is by filling our hearts and minds with God’s Word. We need to teach it in the home and the church (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 4:2). Moses overcame the corruption of Egypt, due in large part, no doubt, to the training he received from his parents (Hebrews 11:24-27). Preachers, elders, and Bible class teachers need to address the false concepts of humanism as opportunities arise. They need to be informed on what is going on and tackle the issues affecting brethren and their children. Compromise and silence is a sure way to lead people astray.

Keep your faith in the Lord, your eyes on the Word, and your head bowed in prayer.

-Steven F. Deaton

That Which Sets Us Apart

"If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful " (Luke 6:32-36).

At the same time that this passage is beautiful, it is also very scary. When we describe ourselves as Christians, that needs to be saying something, and it should be a big deal. When we stand strong and profess our faith, people should be impressed. But often, such is not the case. If we, as Christians, do no more than those of the world, there will never be great respect for our religion.

There is often little respect because we don’t set ourselves apart–we are often guilty of the very thing being talked about here! If we show kindness to our family, biological or spiritual, we do nothing more than the great majority of the world. In this holiday season, if we decide to whom we’ll give gifts based on whether or not we anticipate one, we do nothing beyond the ordinary. If we weigh the risk of loaning someone money on the odds that they’ll repay it, we’ve only matched the most easily matched.

Imagine the consequence if God acted in this way. There is little we could have done for Him, so there is no reason we would have expected the great things He did for us. The message? Go beyond the ones who love you. Show kindness to all. In so doing, set yourself apart. That is the road to being a son of the Most High.

-Jason Budd

“Confess Your Sins to One Another”

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much " (James 5:16).

Prayer is such a wonderful thing! It can strengthen the weakest soul, heal the deepest wound, and turn the darkest day into the brightest of blessings. It’s an allowance granted to us to connect to our God in such an intimate way, and for that we must be thankful.

It is no wonder that we focus on prayer so much. We announce the needy of prayer at the beginning of our services. We have long prayers lists on the back of bulletins. We engage in prayers during every worship service, because as James says, prayer can accomplish much. However, we must look at the other side of prayer.

Before the effectiveness of prayer is even mentioned, we’re told to confess our sins to one another. This isn’t listed as a matter of suggestion or as a recommendation for a time of convenience, but a prerequisite to it. We must participate in confession "so that" we may be healed. In other words, if we want our prayers to accomplish much, we must be righteous. If we want to be righteous, we must be prayed for. If we want to be prayed for, we must confess our sins to one another.

How often do you confess your sins? You have sins. We all do. While many times it’s our habit to anticipate forgiveness upon our vow to repent, there is nothing like the explicit confession of sins, the gentle request of prayers, and the ones in fact that follow, to wash away the filthiest of deeds. How much do your prayers accomplish? Are they just words buried in bad behavior, or a freely standing choir, calling on the mighty hand of God?

-Jason Budd

Where Do You Do What You Do?

"For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God " (John 3:20-21).

Everyone is born with the notion of right and wrong. The extent to which we know that people sin may cause us to doubt this statement, but even the cruelest of sinners have a notion of acceptability and limits. The mob itself has unwritten rules about how it treats its own.

But despite this, we have all undoubtedly come across something where we stop and think, "Is it okay to do this? " It is at these crossroads that we throw around our heads principles of conduct, general rules, and maybe even a verse or two. While these are excellent tools for discovery, you might just want to take a look at where you do what you are doing.

The statements in John can tell us a lot about whether or not something is okay. Evil hates the Light and will avoid it. If you do what you do in an unseen place, by design and not by chance, likely it is the case that your actions are not good. If what you do you do behind closed doors, chances are you shouldn’t be doing it. If you do what you do only when you’re alone, I think you know the answer.

You see, the Light of the Gospel can sort out all matters. The one who is honestly seeking the truth about a matter will subject himself to the powerful and cleansing Light of Christ, while the other will dwell in darkness where his own hardened heart can justify his deeds.

Where do you do what you do?

-Jason Budd

Influence of Friends

“They won’t affect me.”
“Even though my friends do it all the time, I’d never do that.”
“I’ll change him but he’ll never change me.”
“I’ll go with them but I won’t participate.”

When Christians, young or old, make these kinds of statements, it often reflects a lack of consideration of the power of influence. Influence is defined as “the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior or opinions of others.” By design, we are creatures which influence and may be influenced. Look at your life and ask yourself how you influence others and how they influence you in the following circumstances:

• The church meets on the first day of the week and you are present.

• Your friends meet at a dance to spend the evening and you are absent.

• Your friends meet to drink a few beers and watch movies and you are present?

• Your team/club is competing for the state championship on Sunday night at the same time as worship and you choose to attend worship instead of the competition.

• You have been inviting co-workers to the gospel meeting but during that week you volunteer yourself to work extra hours.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven ” (Matthew 5:16).

-David Halbrook