The Danger of humanism within the Body of Christ

There is a form of teaching that is very close to biblical Christianity, and that form is humanism. Following is a quote from the American Humanist Association on the definition of humanism. Here it is: 

“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good.
– American Humanist Association

Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernaturalism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values-be they religious, ethical, social, or political-have their source in human experience and culture. Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human need and interest rather than from theological or ideological abstractions, and asserts that humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny.
– The Humanist Magazine.”

You may have noticed that there are many things in this definition that are consistent with biblical beliefs. However there is one very dangerous statement that describes humanism as ” a progressive philosophy of life, that without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good.”

As biblical Christians, you and I are given a warning about any philosophy that negates any belief in God or the supernatural in Colossians 2:8 which says: “ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

My warning is this: Humanism works against the grace of God by stating that mankind can improve itself on it ‘s own without God. So, one way this philosophy can infiltrate the Body of Christ is by causing some Christians to attempt to save themselves by their own good works, and that is another gospel and not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. You and I know this based on Ephesians 2:8-9 which says:

 ^“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Paul was also used by God to make another statement on this struggle between good works and grace in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 where he says: 

” ³ But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

Do you see it” A different gospel? That is what humanism presents, a different gospel. A gospel that says that man can save himself by doing good and has no need for God’s help.

This is just the first statement that I want to present and hopefully it will generate some dialogue that will foster discussion on this topic. I will continue with my part of the dialogue in my next blog post.

Thank you for reading this brief introduction, and please join in on the discussion and you are led.

Your brother in Christ

Pastor Leonard Roy Harris