YOUR CHILD AND AMERICA’S WORLD VIEWS
Pastor William Heinrich
America is a melting pot of many world views. It is in this environment that God
has called us to raise our children. Were it not for the Word of God (which is
designed to pierce the soul of our child’s very being) and the Spirit of God
(Who graciously quickens), we would be left with hopeless fear. The world view
of “secularism” would want our children to believe that all of reality, all of
life, every human value, every human activity must be understood in light of,
and judged by the value or norm of this present life. However, God calls the
Christian to live his life in the light of eternity, having eternal values.
The world view of “positivism” would want our children to believe that society
evolves from the simple to the complex. This philosophy teaches that the first
stage finds the meaning of life in religion; the second stage finds the meaning
of life in philosophy; and the final stage finds the meaning of life in science.
To those with the view of “positivism”, all truth is truth only if it can be
verified by one of our senses (hearing, seeing, smelling, touching, and
tasting). All that is unverifiable is therefore meaningless, including God.
The world view of “pluralism” would want our children to believe the opposite of
the motto of the United States of America. Our motto is “E Pluribus Unum,” which
means, “Out of the many, one.” To the pluralist, there is only the many, not the
one. Pluralism insists there be a quest only for diversity, many people, many
views, and only many - never one. Not “one nation under God.” God is not the
unifying factor to those who insist on pluralism.
The world view of “relativism” would want our children to believe that
everything is relative and that nothing is concrete, ultimate, real, or true. To
those who adhere to relativism, man has no reference point in which to find
meaning of life or values. He has value, but no absolute values. He has “trues”,
but not truth. He has purposes, but no purpose. What is right is right only for
him, but since it is right for him, others should not object. This view allows
one to have no conscience when she says, “I personally would not choose to have
an abortion, but I believe every woman has the right to make that choice for
herself.”
The world view of “hedonism” would want our children to believe that good and
true are defined by pleasure and pain. The highest good of man is to be found
in the enjoyment of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This is a deceptive lie,
for informed Christians know that the greatest good is to please God and enjoy
Him forever. Believers also know that pain is often necessary to refine us.
The world view of “humanism” would want our children to believe that man is the
measure of all things. According to the humanist, man is the ultimate being and
ultimate authority by which all things are determined. He holds the view that
life centers around man, not God. Humanism has evolved through many changes.
From the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, liberal religion and
humanism became allies in their views of the social needs of the world. Today
contemporary humanism is militant against the “religious right.” It teaches that
Christianity hinders the evolutionary progress of man.
A final world view to be aware of is “pragmatism.” The pragmatist would desire
that our children believe that whatever works is right and true. Pragmatists
will concede that if Christianity works for you, that for you it is right and
true, but that all standards of right and true must be determined by self. Truth
is not objective, such as Christ and Scripture, but is a subjective evaluation
that varies with each person. Harvey Cox of Harvard stated that “pragmatism is
the dominate influence that has produced American life.”
Attempting to understand America’s pluralistic society results in many
reactions. One wrong reaction is to retreat from society and isolate our
children to protect them. Christ clearly said, “I pray not that thou shouldest
take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil
[one].” (John 17:15) One correct reaction is prayerfully to commit our children
to the Father’s care - while faithfully teaching the Scriptures - trusting His
Word to pierce truth into their souls and His Spirit to quicken them graciously.
God sent us into the world as sheep among the wolves. He equipped us for a
successful journey with His Word, His Spirit, and fellow believers. Fear not!