POLITICS
Modern Humanism |
Biblical Christianity |
Philosophical Foundations |
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Politics is based upon humanistic law, which is based upon humanistic ethics, which is based upon the presumed basic goodness of man. |
Politics is based upon Christian law, which is based upon Christian ethics, which is based upon the righteous character of God. |
Political Assumptions and Affirmations |
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Humanistic politics assumes... 1. that the powers of civil governments are unlimited, and 2. that since man is basically good, then the best and the wisest of men should rule over the rest of men. Therefore, governing powers are centralized, while standards become elitist and bureaucratic by legislative actions. |
Christian politics assumes... 1. that the powers of civil governments are limited by God, and 2. that since man is a sinner, then power should be distributed among all the people. Therefore, governing powers are localized, while Biblical standards are broadened and the people are self-governed. |
Civil governments can assume whatever roles and responsibilities needed to regulate all individual and institutional human behavior. |
Civil governments can assume only the role and responsibility which God has authorized, viz., that of administering justice. |
Humanists contend that governance of church and family should be included within political considerations. |
Christians contend that governance of church and family should be outside political considerations, except when related to justice. |
Governments sanctioned by humanists affirm... 1. God’s irrelevancy or non-existence, 2. a moral order based on the will of man, 3. man’s evolutionary origin by chance, 4. that man is basically good, 5. the superior worth of the state, and 6. human accountability only to man, i.e. to the State. |
Governments sanctioned by God affirm... 1. God’s character of holiness, justice, love, mercy, truth, purity, etc., 2. a moral order based on the character of God, 3. man’s creation in the image of God, 4. that man is a sinner, 5. outstanding worth of each individual., and 6. human accountability to God and man. |
Political Objectives |
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Humanistic politics seek... 1. an ideological separation of church & state, with state control and regulation of church functions, and 2. a single one-world global government based upon the will of all people. |
Christian politics seek... 1. an ideological union, but a functional separation, of church and state, and 2. separate national governments, based upon the word of God. |
To accomplish total separation of church and state, humanists seek... 1. individual rejection of word of God as guide for personal life and conduct, and 2. governance of society by replacement of Christian laws and values with humanistic laws and values. |
To maintain an ideological union, but functional separation of church and state, Christians seek... 1. individual self-governance by widespread knowledge of word of God, and 2. governance of society by legislation and enforcement of God’s laws. |
To accomplish globalism, humanists seek... 1. peace through disarmament of all nations, 2. "economic democracy" (i.e. national & international redistribution of wealth), 3. public ownership and regulation of all property, and 4. increased authority for United Nations and its agencies. |
To support nationalism, Christians seek... 1. peace, through national defensive preparedness, 2. voluntary economic help to poor individuals and nations, 3. private ownership and regulation of all property, and 4. elimination of international authorities. |
Results: |
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Little Christian Freedom. Church Generally Despised. |
Much Christian Freedom. Church Generally Respected. |
(Copyright © by Robert L. Waggoner, Revised 04/18/1996)