Let us first look at the definition of humanism.
Humanism: {noun}: 1. A system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth. 2. Concern with the interests, needs, and welfare of humans ... 5. A cultural and intellectual movement of the Renaissance that emphasized secular concerns as a result of the rediscovery and study of the literature, art, and civilization of ancient Greece and Rome. [The American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth edition, 2000]
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 Collegiate Dictionary, 2001]
These two definitions reveal quite a bit about humanism. First we see that it is "centered on humans and their values, capacities, and worth." Is this what the Scriptures teach regarding those who follow the Lord? Jesus told His disciples "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save ['bring safely, preserve'] his life shall lose it; but whoever loses ['bring to an end, put to death'] his life for My sake shall find it" (Matthew 16.24-25). The church usually "spiritualizes" this passage but the Lord makes it quite clear. We must put our lives -- our wants, our ambitions, and our aspirations -- to death. Self-preservation is a thing of the world. It is not that we should want to die physically; rather, that Messiah in us should live. This can only be accomplished by putting to death the aspirations of the fleshly body in which we dwell. It is the flesh that has the desires and wants and aspirations and it is the flesh that we must crucify. Paul said "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8.5). It is our flesh that is concerned with our "values, capacities, and worth."
We often have the idea that when the blood of the Lamb cleanses us, our flesh also gets cleansed. This, however, is wrong. Our flesh will never be cleansed. It is our soul that God cleanses with Jesus' blood. Our soul is eternal. Our flesh is not. We must understand that we, as believers, wage war in our members between the flesh and the spirit.
In another place Jesus said, "do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on ... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6.24, 33). We often apply this to different things but, in context, Jesus is talking only about three things: food, drink, and clothing. These are the things needed to sustain our physical life (clothing may be optional to the world, but not to the one who is born again.) We are not to seek "the good things" of this life on earth. If we have truly been born again, then we will "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." The mood of the Greek word for "seek" spoken here is imperative. This means the phrase "seek first" is not at all an invitation, but rather an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers (those to whom God has revealed the Word).
As to the part of the definition of humanism that "centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth," I believe that we can see that this was Adam's original problem in the garden. Before the fall, everything Adam did was based on God's viewpoint. Adam never considered himself or his "value, capacity, and worth." After the fall, Adam's focus was on what was good for him. His focus was not on God, but on the mistaken belief that perhaps God was holding out on him.
The second part of the definition states the "concern with the interests, needs, and welfare of humans." Is this Biblical? Sure it is. The Torah is full of commands and directions to take care of the orphans, widows and the needy. Yet do we see the disciples — or any other of God's servants — making a "ministry" of helping the poor and needy? No. In fact, Jesus said "the poor you have with you always" (Matthew 26.11). The problem with this type of "ministry" is that the focus is not on the Kingdom. The only possible solution for the needy and poor is the return of Messiah. Jesus instructed His disciples "as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give" (Matthew 10.7-8). Again the focus is on the Kingdom, even as before "seek first His kingdom." The disciples understood there was no hope for this present world order. Just look around and ask "has the situation on earth gotten any better since Jesus came"? Is there not more poverty and sickness? There cannot be healing until there is deliverance and there cannot be deliverance until Messiah returns. He alone can bring deliverance. Neither the church nor man can do it.
The third part of the definition of humanism states: "a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason." This statement is a rejection of anything spiritual, i.e., God Himself. We are designed to operate under the authority of God; outside of this we do not function well. Adam proved what "self-realization" can do. Humanism deceives the world into thinking that, given enough time, it can redeem itself — make everything right. Contrary to popular belief, we are not getting better. Quite the opposite. So then the rejection of "supernaturalism" is actually a rejection of God and His Kingdom.
If humanism is really so good wouldn't we figure that God would be for it? Scripture does not bear that out. When Israel was moving into the Land for the first time, God's peace plan was very simple. For those cities that were far off, God said to offer them terms of peace. If they accepted, they would become forced laborers and serve Israel. If they refused, God said to destroy them and take their women, children, animals, and all the spoils of the city. However, of those in the cities of the land they were entering, God said to "not leave alive anything that breathes" (Deuteronomy 20).
Lest we think that this was the "bloodthirsty God of the Old Testament," let us look at the books of Revelation and Ezekiel. In Revelation 19 Jesus returns and the angel invites all the creatures to the "great supper of God" (a.k.a. the marriage supper of the Lamb). This is a feast of the "flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men" (Revelation 19.17). Ezekiel describes a great bloodbath coming against the nations (Ezekiel 38-39). In this battle it will take Israel seven months to bury the dead of the nations in order to cleanse the Land.
I have heard Christians say that those whom God sends to the lake of fire will eventually be set free. Again, Scripture does not bear this out. The angel told John "the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night" (Revelation 14.11) God stated through Isaiah "Then they shall go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; And they shall be an abhorrence to all mankind" (Isaiah 66.24)
Humanism allows people to hold up a child from a "third world" country and ask in a condemning manner "How can you not help her?". The question is phrased to obtain the maximum amount of condemnation against the viewer. Is it wrong to help the little children? No, not at all. However, condemning others into helping is wrong. The way to help this small child is to help build up Hebron and Bracha and all of Judea and Samaria, to help Israel believe the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15.8).
Humanism blinds the world to the fact that Eretz Israel belongs to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to His people Israel . . . and nobody else. It deceives people into believing that the PLO and the Muslims really do want peace and do not want to wipe every Jew off the face of the world.
I believe that we have shown the true colors of humanism. It is quite appealing to our flesh. It seems good. Some of it is not even really all that bad. The problem comes when it is our focus. When we are focusing on doing things just to make people feel good, we have taken our eyes off the Kingdom. Contrary to popular belief, God does not exist just to bless us. If we are looking for blessings, we have our priorities all wrong. The blessings are a side-benefit. Jesus said God would give us what we needed (key word: "needed"). We must, however, seek His Kingdom. It must be our only goal. We cannot do two things at once: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other."
[ Published: 13 February 2001 ]