Cross Roads

#humanism #morality #Godsword #personalitytests

For the past year and a half, I've been at a crossroads between what man says is right or wrong and what God says is right or wrong.

I've noticed people placing emphasis on taking personality tests (which are not bad. In fact, I think everyone should take one at least once in their lifetime.)

These tests were meant to be taken so that people can learn what their struggles or strengths are, and to help them find strategies to overcome or grow in different areas. The problem becomes when those personality tests take first place in our lives and become a divisive tool rather than what could help us be unified.

With taking these assessments, I've observed that the culture surrounding the self-love, self-help mindset is saying "I will do what's best for me rather than what's best for others because what's best for others, might not be best for me." What's wrong with this statement?

• as humans, we can define what is right, wrong, or true

- If we as human beings define what is right or wrong then a murderer could not be charged as guilty.

- Slavery would have been right,

- Adolf Hitler's pursuit to ensure the survival of the Aryan race and the ‘1000 Year Reich’ by keeping the German blood pure and massacring what is believed to be 15-30 million people would have been right.

We know this isn't true, so if we as human beings cannot possibly define what is true or false, right or wrong, then who can? Who can give us the basis for what is morally good or evil? The answer is God!

The following passages below are a part of the final essay I wrote for my class Church History from the Reformation to Modern Day.

Humansim

By Caroline Wallace, 04/2022

Humanism has become a subject of great complexity for many scholars, and today the definition is different than during the Renaissance. Carter states that humanism “implies a system of thought which teaches that man, in the power of his nature, can function as a moral being, but, in reality, is a system where that capability does not truly exist."[1] Why does this not exist? It is because without God, humanity is evil, corrupt, and full of sinful desire (2 Peter 2:19;1:4). People are unable to function as moral beings because all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and without an unchanging standard for morality, humans cannot perceive right from wrong. Therefore, a Divine Being is needed to reveal this corruption to concur with humanity's realization of its need for a Savior.

(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 the Savior, His Son is Jesus.)

To have true moral knowledge one would have to recognize that Scripture is a supernatural revelation of God’s mind to humankind. In today's secular world, humanism has become, by definition, “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.”[2] Aristotle declared that everyone abides by a philosophy whether they are aware of it or not. To the humanist, philosophy comes from within humanity and of course, this is in complete opposition to what the Bible says. Dr. Davis states, "morality that begins with me must logically and necessarily end with me.”[3] God’s word clearly reveals that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God and that the heart of man is desperately wicked and sick; who could understand it... (1 Cor. 3:19; Jer. 17:9). To live in a Christ-rejecting world means that belief systems contrary to the Word of God are inevitable. Humans were created to worship something, so if it is not the Creator, their innate desire to worship will eventually go to something or someone. In this case, the human as the individual. “That importance stems from the perennial need of human beings to find significance in their lives, to integrate their personalities around some clear, consistent and compelling view of existence, and to seek definite and reliable methods in the solution of their problems.”[4] Today, humanism is a manufactured philosophy to explain life and the purpose of our existence on the earth outside of a belief in an Ultimate Creator.

Work Cited: [1] Carter, John D. Western Humanism a Christian Perspective: A Guide for Understanding Moral Decline in Western Culture. North Canton, Ohio: Photon Publishing, 2005. [2] “Humanism,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanism. Accessed 4/17/2022. [3] Davis, Joseph. Introduction to Ethics, at Southeastern University. 2022 [4] Lamont, Corliss, and Edwin H. Wilson. The Philosophy of Humanism. 7th Edition, Revised and Enlarged, 1990. New York: The Continuum Publishing Company, 1990.

The problem is that without God, there is no morality or ethics. Without Him, there is no real reason for our existence and we are all just beings that are just an accidental occurrence in this universe and devoid of meaning. but this is far from the truth.

In God's word, He says that we were created in His image "imago dei" which means we all deserve love, respect, and care.

So, from where do people get their morality or ethics if not from God? From their culture, family, friends, books, social media, the News, etc. It is not a good idea to base our thoughts or actions upon something that is inconsistent because then we will be unable to make the right decisions. Because God and His word never change, it is a reliable place to seek wisdom or answers to life's most trying questions.

I don't know where you are at in this walk of life, but this post is only a small part of the bigger picture. Jesus is my everything and I pray and hope that my every word points toward Him. Whether you are someone old or new to the faith or maybe not a believer at all, if you have any questions at all please feel free to contact me.

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