Humanism today might be described as an approach to life based on reason (not faith) and a belief that moral values can be founded on human nature and experience alone. Many see this as an alternative to religions that believe in a supernatural God and life in a hereafter.

Almost 400 years ago, during the Age of Reason, new ways of thinking about God, the world and humankind emerged. A focus of this thinking was happiness and fulfillment in this life. Modern science emerged and enabled humans to explore our world in new and wonderful ways with many positive benefits as a result. All this, it is argued, has come about due to the power of the human mind to think, understand, and form judgements logically. For many, human ability and potential is elevated to an almost “god-like” status.

However, a clear message from the Bible is that there is one all-powerful God who is to be acknowledged as the creator and governor of this world. So, when scientific discoveries are made and those making these discoveries are acknowledged ahead of the one who created it all, then humanism is at odds with Christianity.

A Christian view is that, notwithstanding the wonderful achievements that have come through science, human nature is flawed (sinful) and there are limits to human understanding. A rational thinker should eventually ask questions like: –

  • Where and how did it all begin?
  • How rational is it to argue that everything is self-generating?
  • Is there a purpose behind it all or is life meaningless?

For all humankind’s achievements, no human can really comprehend the magnitude of our universe and the complexities involved.

We see the influence of the humanist way of thinking in the Christian church when people question if miraculous events recorded in the Bible actually occurred, given they appear to go against the natural order of things.