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Landslide: Week 3

Landslide: Week 3

Landslide: Building a firm foundation in an ever shifting culture

Matthew 7:24 (NLT) “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

Colossians 2:8 (NLT) Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

John 14:6 (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Definitions:

  • Worldview:
    • a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world
    • how we view, process, and therefore act in the world (whether we know it or not)
  • Humanism:
    • an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
  • Big idea:
    • Good without God/Man is the ultimate end.
  • Syncretism:
    • the combination of different forms of belief or practice
    • spiritual buffet with the illustration of a basket—Jesus in and old stuff out. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • Tolerance:
    • to recognize and respect others’ beliefs and practices without sharing them, to bear or put up with someone or something not necessarily liked

Humanist Manifesto I: [15 Statements] 1933 (American Humanist Association) (https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/manifesto1/)

FIRST: Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created.

SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.

THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, humanists find that the traditional dualism of mind and body must be rejected.

FOURTH: Humanism recognizes that man’s religious culture and civilization, as clearly depicted by anthropology and history, are the product of a gradual development due to his interaction with his natural environment and with his social heritage. The individual born into a particular culture is largely molded by that culture.

FIFTH: Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Obviously humanism does not deny the possibility of realities as yet undiscovered, but it does insist that the way to determine the existence and value of any and all realities is by means of intelligent inquiry and by the assessment of their relations to human needs. Religion must formulate its hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method.

SIXTH: We are convinced that the time has passed for theism, deism, modernism, and the several varieties of “new thought”.

EIGHTH: Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man’s life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist’s social passion.

FOURTEENTH: The humanists are firmly convinced that existing acquisitive and profit-motivated society has shown itself to be inadequate and that a radical change in methods, controls, and motives must be instituted. A socialized and cooperative economic order must be established to the end that the equitable distribution of the means of life be possible. The goal of humanism is a free and universal society in which people voluntarily and intelligently cooperate for the common good. Humanists demand a shared life in a shared world.

Mission of American Humanist Association (AHA) (https://americanhumanist.org/about/)

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

Designed but Distorted Desires of Humanism:

  • Humanity has intrinsic value and worth.
  • A moral society is a priority.
  • Equality, reasoning, goodness, etc.

Slippery Slope of Humanism:

Gen 3:4-5 (NLT) 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

John 10:10 (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

  • China: The Great Leap Forward (18-55 million murdered)
  • Japanese War Crimes: 3-14 million deaths
  • Nazi Germany: 6 million Jews, but 11-12 million total, killed

Our Part:

2 Tim 2:22-26 (NLT) 22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

True Life:

Revelation 21:4, 27 (NLT) 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” … 27Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

John 17:3 (NASB) This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 14:6 (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Next Steps

  • We, as a church…
  • You, as an individual…

Discussion questions for home, or Life Group:

1.After hearing the sermon, how would you describe “humanism”?

2.Where have you heard examples of humanism in conversations, or experienced its influence in your world?

3.Take a look at Proverbs 3:5-6 and Luke 9:18-26. In what ways can you tend to be more self-reliant (or human-reliant) rather than God-reliant?

4.How are you actively seeking God to be the one who determines the morals and ethics for your life? A) How does this impact your relationships with your family, fellow believers, and those in your world who do not yet follow Jesus?

5.We have looked at pluralism, relativism, and humanism. Which has most challenged your thinking or impacted your perspective? Share what is challenging or impacting you.