Signs of the times - Humanism, pt. 1…
June 22nd, 2007
It seems at times that I often use this space to wage my personal war against humanists, atheists, and global alarmists who look to stir the hearts of men towards a seemingly reasonable, rational solution to the problems facing the human race. I suppose that I post so many articles on here about these issues because of the increasing alarm that is resounding in my heart related to the human condition and the growing mindset of “centrist” compromise related to a backlash against the extreme.
It simply seems so clear to me that I have stumbled onto a clear trend, a paradigm of thought and perspective that has transformed how I see and hear the world, and now I detect the fruit of the hubris of humanity in its bold resistance against the leadership of the Lord everywhere in modern society. Because I see where the Bible describes the peoples of the earth going collectively, and I have a fair understanding of the stream of history that has carried us here, I then can watch and pray with some measure of clarity in regards to the present reality of where men stand before my God.
The beginnings of my understanding can be found in Psalm 2.
Breaking the bonds and casting away cords
Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” (Psalm 2:1-3)
King David in Psalm 2 gave us the ultimate “blueprints” for the end-times, covering in the broadest of strokes the path that humanity would tread and the necessary response of the Lord in sovereignty, tenderness, mercy, judgment, and wrath. This first section of the Psalm gives us the overview of the desire of the nations to indulge in the ultimate vanity - to gather in unity related to their collective decision to throw off restraint and establish a global “anti-God” society.
I believe that they do this as part of a rage-filled response to prophetic preaching - the global witness of the coming King that will go forth in the coming days (Matt. 24:14). The powerful preaching of the coming prophetic messengers to the kings of the earth will actually serve to galvanize their resistance and rage against the “Anointed One”, or God’s chosen King of the earth.
The result of this concerted effort to reject God and His Son will be the apex of humanism itself, or the exalting of man and his capacities and capabilities in a manner that is seemingly able to effect his own salvation without the interference of biblical morality or the “restraint” of the law of God. In the minds of the sinful man, “salvation” means the achievement of utopian ideals related to perfection in society and perfection in man himself. Nietzsche called this the “Übermensch” - or the overman, which represented the human ideal, once men overcame by force the norms of society externally imposed.
As I continue this series, I will look at where this philosophy has been, where it is, and where it is going. All of the evidence, however, leaves me concluding that the destination of sinful man is far nearer than we would like to admit or ponder.
David
Entry Filed under: current events, end times, humanism, signs of the times
20 Comments Add your own
1. Cathy | June 22nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
Sounds just like part of your Biblical Foundations of Eschatology that I was re-reading last night. Good stuff!
2. David Gagne | June 22nd, 2007 at 11:21 am
Off topic:
What’s your Live Impact?
http://www.earthlab.com/carbonProfile/LiveEarth.htm?CID=1000&ver=3
I scored 317… Probably because I don’t recycle my grocery bags.
3. Cathy | June 22nd, 2007 at 11:37 am
I scored 403!
4. David | June 22nd, 2007 at 11:43 am
378 - I better start unplugging things.
5. Jason Kerr | June 22nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I scored 604 - my ‘95 Chevy Tahoe 4wd I think put me over. I think I better buy some carbon offsets!
6. Scott | June 22nd, 2007 at 3:36 pm
505. We’re a family of six with four cars. And that’s despite having sold the Suburban and we recycle.
I started to say that I don’t care, but actually I do. I want to be a good steward of the earth. I have tried to buy hybrid in the past when supply was limited (Prius) and I’m sure if money is available, I will in the future.
Can we be great stewards of the earth while keeping out hearts pure before the Lord of the earth and not crossing over into humanism?
I think we might be able to, but will it change anything?
7. Idhrendur | June 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Wow, I was 224. Probably because I rent a room and don’t have utility bills to factor in.
From what I here though, to decrease global warming, it may be a good idea to use more paper, and ensure that it ends up in landfills. How’s that for counter-intuitive.
From minor studies of done as well, decreasing emissions can best be done by taking trains instead of planes, by eating less beef, and by making sure you don’t use old-school refrigerants in your appliances. I would also recommend nuclear power, and that’s sure to put me at odds with most environmentally-oriented people.
On topic:
I agree overall, but I would say Psalms 2 is a blueprint for all times. Whether or not we’re seeing more of that attitude nowadays, I wouldn’t know.
8. Allison | June 22nd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
You said: The result of this concerted effort to reject God and His Son will be the apex of humanism itself, or the exalting of man and his capacities and capabilities in a manner that is seemingly able to effect his own salvation without the interference of biblical morality or the “restraint” of the law of God. In the minds of the sinful man, “salvation” means the achievement of utopian ideals related to perfection in society and perfection in man himself.
This is so bang-on… I have old friends who are so steeped in The One Campaign (www.theone.org) that is has become their religion… The website even lists a mission statement and a “belief statement” which creepily mirrors a statement of faith…
Sure, the desire to wipe out poverty is awesome and noble… but the campaign is men championing men… “humans to the rescue!” Of course, this is just one of many examples, but this is what came to my mind.
I’ll say it - humanism scares the crap out of me… because apparently, it’s now the religion of choice… growing fast and welcome everywhere. *sigh*
9. David Gagne | June 23rd, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I totally highjacked your comments section! Woo!
In reply to Scott’s question on being a steward to the earth — I definitely think we should, but it should look a bit different.
Our actions should be based on, “God, how do you want me to live? How should I take care of your creation?” And as we do our part we realize God’s part is much greater, so we pray for rain. Without God’s hand holding creation together, our minimal efforts don’t do much. But I think He wants us to do our part. God loves partnership.
Humanism says instead, “It’s up to me. This is my planet, I better take care of it if I want to stay here long!” Yet we can’t do anything to make it rain, to stop earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, etc.
10. Randy Bohlender | June 24th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
731! That’s two SUV’s and station wagon hard at work. But it I didn’t have one of the SUV’s I’d need two Honda civics - it’s actually cheaper to drive the Suburban.
Good thing I didn’t tell them that I eat meat 4 times a day. Except during a fast, of course….
11. David | June 25th, 2007 at 8:19 am
731 - Kelsey can NOT be happy about that score. Your secret is safe w/ me, my friend.
12. Randy Bohlender | June 25th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I’m not sure what Kelsey thinks about that score. She’s out waxing the Suburban.
13. Randy Bohlender | June 25th, 2007 at 10:07 am
…and honestly, it has more to do with air travel than four wheeling…
14. Ducky | June 25th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
356. Although I rent, so my score’s not worth much. My score would be lower if I drove a Prius instead of a ghetto-fied boat. But who has the money to buy one of those?
15. In Christ are hidden ALL &hellip | June 27th, 2007 at 1:19 am
[…] reading some blogs and one post that has stood out lately is this one from a leader at IHOP on Humanism. I have been interested in philosophy from a young age – yes, I was the kid that asked the curly […]
16. His Hand is on the Door &&hellip | June 27th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
[…] If you haven’t already, you can read Part 1 of this series here. […]
17. adam | July 9th, 2007 at 7:17 am
dave, i dont want to rain on the end of the world parade, cause everyone but my friend duncan loves a good parade, however, i fail to see the difference between the modern age’s favoritism towards humanism and say that of the renaissance when social humanism first came about as a philosophy. or say that of the enlightenment when men first boldly proclaimed that God was nothing and science was what would make men God? save perhaps that since we now have better communication we can say the same thing to each other and hear each other say the same thing. even before internet and international calling, however, these sentiments where far from scarce, in fact, i would say there were global.
18. refe | July 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Or the tower of Babel for that matter, although rather than actually denouncing God they just decided they didn’t need him.
However, to say that globalism simply makes it easier for us to hear each other expressing humanistic sentiments is short sighted. The ‘better communication’ also serves to spread these sentiments across the globe like a plague. Television, the internet, and international calling have allowed humanism to inundate every part of our lives. Advertisements, tv shows, ect. are continuously sowing seeds of antichrist into the minds of people all over the globe.
Its not just France anymore.
19. David | July 16th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Adam, I would guess from your comments elsewhere that your bigger issue is with the “end of the world” slant, not the perspective on humanism. If you are untroubled by the course of history, than you would naturally be untroubled by the “parade” of perspective that I would write from.
I agree with Refe, about both short-sightedness and the communication point, since better communication IS the point, related to the re-unification of what was “decentralized” and de-unified at Babel. Better communication is the tool that bridges a linguistic gap that was part of God’s design way back when.
20. The Great Canadian Wish L&hellip | January 16th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
[…] missionary at the International House of Prayer recently wrote a post on this very topic of humanism on his blog where he quoted Psalm 2:1-3, which says “Why do the nations conspire and the […]
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