The modern humanist is in secession from society. He is in flight from knowledge and in full-scale retreat from reality. The humanist is compelled to deny the possiblilty of knowledge, because it is the only possible way he can imagine of denying God. David declared, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Ps. 19: 1-3). As St. Paul said, that which may be know of God is manifest in them: for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible thins of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19-20). All man’s knowledge witnesses to God, and the law and order of God’s creation witnesses to God, so that man faces everywhere the inescapable knowledge of God. The knowledge of God is inescapable, because all things were created by God and therefore witness to Him.
– R.J.Rushdoony
Law & Liberty
One of the many books I read while sick in bed these last few weeks is Law & Liberty by R.J. Rushdoony. I had never ready any Rushdoony before, but a dear friend of this website had sent me the book insisting I needed to become acquainted with his writings. She was right. He really got my mind thinking.
This particular book is a collection of thirty-two essays, taken from radio addresses given in the late 1960s. They are just as applicable and timely today. Though they deal with issues of law, liberty, and morality, I found much application to my own interest in education, as well.
Actually, I grabbed a scratch paper beside my bed and made a chart while I read to keep track of what I was learning. Rushdoony, through these essays, is actually drawing the line in the sand, clearly separating biblical Christianity from secular humanism. There are many clear contrasts to the two belief systems and we can see them in our society today.
| Biblical Christianity | Secular Humanism |
|---|---|
| morality is based on God’s law | saved by man’s law |
| God is the Creator of life | no value for human life |
| freedom under God’s authority | anarchy under man’s tyranny |
| God’s law is supreme | only law is the state |
| Christians live in reality | creates science fiction (communism/socialism) |
| God is the Authority | create gods (Gen. 3) |
| originated with Creatiom | originates with chaos (evolution) |
| by Him all things consist (stability) | constant change, instability(culture, morality, society) |
| trust the Lord | seek fountain of youth and try to change time |
| liberty in Christ | “Academic freedom” is slavery to their own agenda |
| government begins with self-rule | government IS the state |
| private property belongs to God | property and family are products of evolution and family must be abolished |
| family performs multiple functions | state as family performs no functions effectively |
| God’s law is foundation of family | sexual love is foundation of marriage and family |
| common law | statue law |
| justice is God’s righteousness | no justice |
| God’s power unchanged | no truth beyond the historical time |
| liberty and freedom under God’s law | socialism/communism/totalitarianism |
| obey and honor parents | parasitic children and insanity adolescence |
| morality | custom/appearance |
| peace | violent rule |
| strong family loyalty | hostility toward “nepotism” |
| reality | flight from reality (sin, responsibility, God) |
| knowledge proclaims God | flight from knowledge (relativism, atheism) |
| reconcilliation to Christ | perpetual civil warfare |
| private (home) education | statist education |
| plenty | famine |
| will to live | will to die |
I wish I could have made the chart easier to read, but that gives you a basic idea of the huge contrast between these two opposing worldviews. I’ve been so stunned, I haven’t stopped talking about the significance of secular humanism in our culture with my husband ever since. And I have taken specific steps to continue studying this very important topic.
As home educators, we are never neutral in how we teach. Every subject, every moment, every day, we are teaching something to our children. Are we teaching them God’s truth, or are poisoning them with the lie (Gen. 3)? Because secular humanism has so contaminated every facet of our society and so much of our church and homeschool culture, too, it is imperative we be vigilant and zealous in training our children in the truth.
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Excellent post. I think I am going to copy out this chart for future referencing.
Glad it is a help to you. Since I scribbled it out for myself, I can see humanism everywhere … the news, TV, ads, education, music … it is more prevalent than I first thought.
I’m going to copy the list, thanks! We need to constantly go back to Scripture and God’s beautiful laws. I just looked up this quote for you: CS Lewis says in one of the Narnia books, “Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. Take great care that it does not confuse your mind……..remember the signs ” (or, laws) “and believe the signs. Nothing else matters.”. the rest of the quote is great; The Silver Chair, pg 27.
“And in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps 1.
Quick question: the chart listing doesn’t mention the church but the family is mentioned repeatedly; does Rushdoony write anything about the church?
This book specifically deals with “law & liberty,” so the focus is on national (political and social) implications. There were a few chapters on family, since that is obviously a foundation. But Rushdoony writes from a Christian legal perspective. That was a different focus for me, personally. I’m glad I read it.