“Humanism : a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially : a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason.” Merriam-Webster
Does that definition fit you? It fits most Christians. A humanist Christian is someone who believes in Christ, but rejects the power of God in their life. Their Christian lives revolve around doing things for God under their own power. They can have the best intentions and even get some good results, but it is all humanistic based.
When I was a young Christian, I went to a Church meeting where we started the meeting without prayer and were trying to find a solution to a problem. I suggested we pray about it, but the pastor put me down saying, “No! We need to find out what we should do first and then ask God to bless it.” That is humanism. Anytime we try to do something on our own wisdom, or strength, we are saying we have what it takes to do God’s work, without God.
We think the answers to the Christian ministry are in such things as, what techniques to use when witnessing; What small-group dynamics work best; Memorizing Scriptures; Charisma of a speaker; Bible training and education. Not one of these things are bad, if God leads in these areas, but when we rely on them to fulfill the work of God, we are relying on human effort instead of on God.
Jesus knew the Scriptures and doctrines. He quoted scripture often and walked out the law in everything he did. If anyone was wise enough to do what was best it was Jesus. John 5:19 says, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
Even Jesus, the Son of God would not do anything under his own power or wisdom. He only did what he saw his own father do. If he didn’t do the work of God on his own, than why do we think we can?
We have been raised to believe in ourselves, our wisdom, knowledge, education, experience and hard work. We see the challenges and immediately search for solutions that will work in this world of ours. We get advice from books, mentors, the internet, universities, and other worldly approved methods.
We must begin to listen to God first before we try to do anything for God. He is speaking to us, but we must listen. We must learn to hear that still small voice and distinguish it from our own. People say God doesn’t speak to people today, and yet they believe pastors are called by God. God does speak. We just don’t listen.
Note: This post is based on my reading of the book” Viral Jesus by Ross Rohde
Photo Credit: First: believe in yourself. Then: achieve! by Felicelam
While I personally embrace the role the supernatural has played in my relationship with Christ, I've also witnessed the "humanistic" label used like a baseball bat to slam non-Christians or cultural trends. Other than the dismissal of the supernatural, shouldn't the definition of humanism be embraced by Christians? That is to say, shouldn't we be engaged in human interests? Promote the dignity of individual's and their self-worth? Apply reason to the area of self-fulfillment? Seems like these are common sense attributes required to sustain a civil society. Yes - let's recognize we are unique in our acknowledgement of the supernatural, but why trash those who are not yet persuaded? As regards the church - I submit that every institution has to first tend to its self-preservation, then the needs of the people it is supposed to serve. Self-preservation is antithetical to the teachings of Christ - therefore institutional religion is by definition - humanistic.
ReplyDeleteI am not slamming non-Christians at all. The only power they have is within themselves. They have to be humanistic because they only depend upon themselves without the aid of the Holy Spirit being within them.
ReplyDeleteHumanism is counter to Christian belief. Christianity says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Humanist says, "I can do all things."
As for promoting our self worth, we are nothing without Christ. We only have worth because of His work. Are we garbage? No! We are the most valuable things in this universe because of the work of our Lord and Savior. Humaanist say we are valuable because of what we can do and who we are. They leave God out of it. That is not biblical.
As regard to the institution of the church, God is the one who preserves and guides it. If the church is not looking to God for its preservation and guidance but instead to their own efforts, then yes, it is humanistic. I say that every christian institution has to first tend to following Christ. Other needs will all be met as He leads. If we do not rest in Him than we err and need to repent.
David, I didn't mean to at all imply you were slamming non-Christians. What I meant was that I often see this happening in dialogue's between Evangelicals and Non-Evangelical Christians. The definition of humanism you used speaks to the dignity and self-worth of individuals, so I wanted to clarify that we as Christians - as you pointed out in your reply - ALSO believe in the dignity and intrinsic value of the individual. YES - that belief is linked to our knowledge of God The Creator. YES - The dignity of EVERY person is linked to the fact that we are all God's children, NOT that we have achieved this worth in and of ourselves.
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