Humanism at Home
In the latter 70's and  early 80's, my wife and I received intense training on the issues of secular humanism and the biblical world view. Through this time of study,  I become aware of the humanistic influence in our educational systems and just how far our nation had moved toward socialism. I remember how shocked I was to learn that the phrase “separation of church and state” did not exist anywhere in our constitution or in any of its amendments! 

In 1981,  I moved to Iowa and began a ministry on the University of Iowa campus. I felt sure that nearly all the population would be equally appalled at the humanism that was creeping into our nation and I set out to enlighten them and rally them behind the cause of biblical values. However, the response was not as enthusiastic as I had expected. As I spoke with Christians in an attempt to build a base of support for this cause, I found that they too not only had humanistic ideas, but they often defended their humanistic philosophies quite vigorously. Some were offended that I would even suggest that they may have embraced unbiblical views. After all, one of the most predominant humanistic concepts in our culture is moral relativism: “You can’t tell me I am wrong. After all, what is wrong for you might not be wrong for me!” Now it is almost twenty-two years later and the battle of world views continues. 

This past summer, we sponsored a Bible Boot Camp which originated with the idea of intercepting Christian students before they get to college with a goal to fortify their minds with the Word of God and to connect them with other Christians. Being aware of the dangerous humanistic philosophies and other temptations that abound in campus life, we felt this was a “God idea” that He wanted us to act on. We intend to conduct this Bible Boot Camp annually.

Now, just a few weeks after our first Boot Camp,  I came across some alarming statistics that confirmed the importance of intercepting students before they get to college. Studies done by Dr. Gary Railsback and Norm Geisler indicated that, in 1981, 50% of students from Christian homes were denying their faith before they graduated from college. Today, they say that number has increased to 75%! According to research done by the Nehemiah Institute, 90% of Christian students from Christian homes leave highschool either “at risk” or “easy prey” for humanists wo wish to conform them to anti-Christian thinking. Testing, also done by the Nehemiah Institute, reveals that students coming from Christian high schools are not likely to be much better off. The typical Christian student in a typical Christian high school is scoring as a secular humanist!

How Did this Happen? 
Humanistic philosophy did not just happen upon our nation by accident. It got its grip because  a few people got together and purposed for it to happen. One such group convened on September 12, 1905 in the loft above Peck’s Restaurant in lower Manhattan. Their purpose was to overthrow the predominant Christian world view that still pervaded America and to “promote an intelligent interest in socialism among college men and women.” At this first meeting five men were present: Upton Sinclair, a writer and a socialist; Jack London, writer; Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a unitarian minister; J. G. Phelps Stokes, husband of a socialist leader; and Clarence Darrow, a lawyer. Their organization was called the Intercollegiate Socialist Society. These men started study groups on college campuses and began to infiltrate the intellectual elite until their views became predominate in our educational systems and our society (See The American Covenant; by Marshall Foster & Mary Swanson p. xvii).  Now we find ourselves in a battle against political and economic socialism, moral relativism, theological atheism and biological naturalism. What do we do?  Here are three steps to get started with.

1.  Wake Up
Humanism has crept into the church! We, who call ourselves “The Church”, must wake up and accept the fact that we may have swallowed a few humanistic concepts. We must be willing admit that we could possibly have some degree of error in our belief systems and be willing to correct it. I suggest taking the mini PEERS test online at www.nehemiahinstitute.com to see how you score. (PEERS stands for Politics, Economics, Education, Religion, and Social issues). It is free and quite enlightening.

2.  Teach a Biblical World View
Then we must learn and begin to teach a biblical world view in our churches and in our schools, including our Christian schools! We must boldly promote biblical values without receiving any fear or intimidation from those who hate what we stand for. 

3.  Commit to the Long Haul
Humanism didn’t get its grip on our nation overnight and we aren’t going to restore a biblical world view overnight either. We must commit to the long haul.  Find a way to get informed and get involved! At least, find a ministry that is promoting a biblical world view and support that ministry with prayer and a regular contribution.

We must be people of purpose looking to the future. Armed with truth and the power of the Holy Spirit,  we can and will make a difference.

We will be conducting a training course called Destiny 101 that will meet weekly this semester on the University of Iowa campus. We will be exposing humanism and introducing students to a biblical world view. Please consider supporting Purpose Ministries in any way you can. It will be greatly appreciated.