Setting Captives Free

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"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
-- Colossians 2:8

Foundational Presupposition Chart

(copyright registration March 10,2009)

Religion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe.

(The Random House Dictionary)

 

 PUBLIC SECULAR / CULTURAL/GOVERNMENT PRESUPPOSITIONSBIBLICAL CHRISTIAN PRESUPPOSITIONS
RELIGIOUS ROOTS SECULAR HUMANISM BIBLICAL THEISM
ROLE OF GOD God is left out God is acknowledged
VIEW OF GOD By default, one of these three results:
  • Atheism: a personal, infinite holy God does not exist
  • Agnosticism: it is impossible to know whether or not God exists
  • Theistic existentialism: God may exist but is defined by man
  • A personal, infinite and holy God exists
  • God has revealed Himself throughout history via the Bible
  • God is knowable and desires to be known
BASIS FOR TRUTH Humans are the final source and/or measure of truth
  • Truth is "pluralistic", relative and dependent on individual belief or group choice
  • Tolerance is accepting all ideas (except the view that truth exists) and insisting that everyone adopt that perspective
 God is the final source and/or measure of truth
  • Truth is based on objective, absolute standards revealed by an infinite God who does not lie
  • “Tolerance” is holding to the view truth exists and not attempting to force others to adopt that perspective
NATURE OF THE UNIVERSE The physical/material world is all there is
  • the way to determine the existence and value of any and all realities is by means of scientific method or experience only
 The physical/material world is only one part of reality
  • there is a non-physical dimension of the universe
DEFINITION OF HUMAN Evolution: time + matter + chance
  • The human is the highest animal life
  • Humans evolved from lower life forms by natural selection and random mutation: “survival of the fittest” is a good thing
 Creation: God created man in His own image with purpose
  • Humans are inherently different from the animals
  • Humans made in the image of God are to care for the weak
PURPOSE OF MANKIND Man is to strive to reach unlimited human potential Man is to be reconciled to his Creator and enjoy a relationship with Him forever
HUMAN NATURE Human nature is basically good
  • Mankind will become better and better over time
 Man has a fallen, sinful nature from conception
  • Mankind will tend toward doing wrong and will need either inner moral restraint or external boundaries enforced by law
BASIS FOR THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE The value of human life is based on its usefulness Humans are intrinsically valuable because they are created in the image of God
MORALITY Moral choices are made according to evolving human rules or consensus
  • Morality is a relative, subjective standard
  • Personal choices are determined by physical and chemical responses to stimuli in the brain
 Moral choices are made according to absolutes defined by the God of the Bible
  • Morality is objective
  • Personal choices are made freely, using God-given creativity and reason
FAMILY ORIENTATION Families are made up of self-defined cluster relationships
  • Short of harming others or compelling them to do so, there should be free sexual expression and lifestyle choices
 Families are the basis for societies, defined by God as related by heterosexual marriage, blood or adoption
  • Sexuality is designed to be expressed within heterosexual marriage

(Note: the left categories are a limited selection)

"Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism and others."  Torcaso v Watkins, 1961