PRESUPPOSITIONS 'Chapter 3' 'Other Theisms' OTHER THEISMS DEISM PANTHEISM Fig.I 'Deism' 'Presupposition: God exists but He acts upon the world from a distance and His concern with it is general rather than special, perpetual and universal.' Deism is a belief in the existence of God but rejects any idea of revelation. In some forms it denies both the possibility and the necessity of divine revelation. The view opposed revealed religion in favour of natural religion. Man could come to the truth by reason alone. Revelation, miracles and providence are expressly denied. The Bible is simply a book of principles that can be understood by human reasoning and facts of nature. It was a religion not transmitted by tradition, nor accepted on external authority. It was established by reason common to all men and capable of receiving universally acceptance. One form of deism was that of God as the absentee-god. God is present in nature in His power but not in His being and nature. He acts upon this world from a distance. God's concern with the world is not universal, special and perpetual but rather general in nature. When He created the world and its creatures He gave them certain innate abilities. They were placed under immutable laws and then left to work out their destiny by the powers invested in them. God exercises oversight in a general sense. He does this by the general laws He established. God like a watchmaker, built and wound up the world then left it to run on its own. It was not a vessel to be guided but a machine programmed to run on its own. Deistic thinking leads to the same errors mentioned above under atheism. Deism acknowledges the transcendence of God but denies His immanence. Therefore it tends toward pantheism. It can also lead to theistic evolution.
Deism also leads to important theological errors. Deism was characteristic of the Pelagian1 heresy. Soccianism2 of the time of the Reformers was based on the deistic concept. It is also one of the basic errors of Arminianism.3 1 Pelagius taught Adam was created without positive holiness. He was neither sinful nor holy but had the capacity for both good and evil. He was given a free and completely undetermined will in order to choose to sin or not to sin as he saw fit. He was created mortal therefore already subject to the law of death and so death was not a consequence of the fall. When Adam sinned, he sinned for himself alone, and left human nature untainted by his sin. Sin is not inherited so there is no such thing as original sin. The only difference between Adam and one born since the fall is Adam had no evil example. Sin is not wrong affections or desires but separate acts of the will. No one needs to sin, he has perfect liberty to refrain from sin. The fact sin is universal is due to the wrong education, bad example and the long established habit of sinning. Grace is not needed in turning from sin to God although it undoubtedly is helpful. God's grace is external gifts and natural endowments such as human rational nature, revelation of God in the Scriptures and the example of Jesus. 2 Soccinus denied God's justice required sin be punished. He held none of the works of God were depraved nor had any iniquity. Justice was the effect of God's will not an immanent attribute. He held you could not have God forgiving freely and forgiving for the sake of Christ. It was either one or the other. He chose God's freely forgiving. Guilt is personal so substation is impossible. In regard to God Socinians held the Son did not pre-exist, and in His essential nature He was a human who possessed a peculiar fullness of the Spirit, had a special knowledge of God and at His ascension became Lord of all things. They saw the Christian religions as an acceptable doctrine. The Lord's Supper and baptism was a primitive rite for Jews and pagan converts not intended to be permanent. 3 Arminians reject the doctrine of original sin. Adam's guilt was not imputed to his descendants. The pollution of sin, is passed on. Pollution is a disease or weakness rather than sin. Man is not under condemnation but weakened in his nature so he cannot attain eternal life, re-establish himself in favour with God, nor discover the way of salvation. Man has a free will and the natural ability to do spiritual good and prepare himself for turning to God. In their view the Holy Spirit gives to all sufficient grace to counterbalance inherited depravity and gives a person the ability to co-operate in regeneration. One who makes proper use of this enabling grace, becomes object of God's efficient grace and receives the higher grace of evangelical obedience. Predestination was on the basis of foreknowledge of a person's obedience, disobedience, faith or unbelief, perseverance or persistence in sin. In regard to Christ's death they held it was a sacrificial offering but not as a payment of debt or a complete satisfaction of justice. In this view Christ death was not a substituted penalty but a substitution FOR a penalty. In the post-reformation period Arminians taught the church was mainly the visible society. It did not have the right of discipline which belonged to the state. The church was only to preach the Gospel and admonish the members. They with the Socinians and Mennonites (as well as the rationalists) saw the Lord's Supper only as a memorial, an act of profession and a means of moral improvement. 30
DEISM GOD EXISTS NATURAL RELIGION BIBLE BOOK OF PRINCIPLES BIBLE UNDERSTOOD BY REASON AND FACTS PELAGIAN SOCCIANISM ARMINIANISM REASON WAY TO TRUTH REVELATION PROVIDENCE MIRACLES DENIED GOD CREATED THE WORLD ABSENTEE GOD PANTHEISM GOD OVERSEES WORLD BY GENERAL LAWS DOES NOT INTERVENE IN HISTORY Fig.J 'Pantheism' 'Presupposition: All finite things are in some manner part of the one eternal, selfexisting being. All material substances are derived from the one infinite substance.' Pantheism is the belief God and the universe is identical. God is everything and everything is God. Monism is one of the essential doctrines of pantheism. It holds the universe is one single whole of closely connected parts. It has nothing beyond it. Another doctrine of pantheism is the whole of the universe is either divine itself, and therefore a proper object of worship, or it contains some divine principle. The world is said to emanate or issue from God. The world and God are one. The world being the phenomenal manifestation of God. The result of this is creation is continuous. All creation is continuously emanating from the Absolute therefore have no real or 31
continuing existence. This is a denial of both the personality and transcendence of God. It assumes the being of God is the substance of all things. Pantheism generally denies the immutability of God. God is seen as eternally becoming, rather than an absolute being. He is developing in human consciousness or as some would say, He is finite, struggling and gradually growing. Pantheism is found almost everywhere. It raises its head even in religions that are monotheistic. While it is not compatible with monotheism it comes as a reaction against the anthropomorphic tendencies of monotheism. Hinduism, which is also polytheistic, has the strongest pantheistic doctrine and practice. Pantheism leads to the closed system of determinism. If the whole of the universe is god, then it must be a single perfect system. There can be no alternative systems. The close interrelations of the parts is itself a perfection of the whole. It also leads to the thought called panpyschism which states if any part lacked a quality that it might have, the whole would fall short of perfection. Pantheism is the worship of nature. Therefore it leads to humanistic environmentalism, rationalism, relativism and with it lack of distinction between good and evil to utilitarianism. It also leads to materialism and existentialism. Pantheism emphasizes the immanence of God and denies His transcendence. Pantheism leads to extreme environmentalism. We can love a tree, commune with its spirit and as a result make it more important the human life. Trees can be spiked, days spent saving the whales, and there can be an outcry against hunting wolfs. The same ones who do this will promote the killing of the unborn, aged or infirm. Nature becomes the supreme ruler of the world. (Fig.K)
PANTHEISM ENVIRONMENTALISM RATIONALISM RELATIVISM UTILITARIANISM GOD/UNIVERSE IDENTICAL MONISM UNIVERSAL DIVINE MATERIALISM EXISTENTIALISM OR CONTAINS DIVINE PRINCIPLE WORTHY OF WORSHIP WORLD ISSUES FROM GOD CONTINUOUS CREATION CONTINUALLY EMANATING FROM HIS BEING NO REAL CONTINUING EXISTENCE GOD MUTABLE DETERMINISM NATURE SUPREME UNIVERSAL SINGLE PERFECT SYSTEM Fig. K 'Polytheism' 'Presupposition: There are many gods to who rule this world and to whom man is responsible.' Polytheism is the worship of more than one god, usually many gods. Modern liberal scholars teach polytheism developed out of ancient belief in spirits. The spirits eventually became gods. As 33
man progressed religiously he is said to have developed a superior god who ruled the rest. Eventually the superior god became the one supreme and only god. Monotheism is the result (see fig. B repeated below). The view totally ignores the truth of the Bible. Monotheism was the original religion and degenerated into the other theisms. Atheism GOD Supreme Being gods Zeus Appolo etc. gods Nameless Spirits Customs Customs Etiquiette Right\wrong time to plant to treat spirits Modern man Primitive man Fig. B Archeological studies have supported the Biblical view monotheism was the original belief of human beings. Human first departed from monotheism by worshipping the heavenly bodies of the sun, moon and stars. The worship of heavenly bodies came simultaneously, (or nearly so) with the worship of earthly elements such as fire, air and water. Initially they were considered to represent personal beings but eventually they were viewed as having personal beings over them. This pantheistic view developed into polytheistic worship. The Hindu, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and other have a multiplicity of gods. Usually these gods have a council of gods to rule over them. Often one god becomes the supreme god. Fallen human nature seems to be especially attracted to polytheism. Throughout history and up to this present time there are millions who have bowed to these false gods and their idols. Idolatry, which is a part of polytheism, fails to fill the heart. It causes a degrading of the human mind and hinders the development of civilization. Polytheism leads to degenerate living. Human excuse their sins and evil by pointing to the gods who act similar to themselves. Polytheism is the religion of most of the pagan religions, to this present day. When we look at the societies of the Orient, Africa and other places we see the results of polytheism. It leads to economic, political and moral degradation. Polytheism is a sign a culture is in decay. They deny an overall God with all encompassing truth and omnipotence. Neither meaning nor order is universal. Under polytheism religion is not universal so it is relegated to a segment of life rather than encompassing the whole of life. 34
Everything becomes fragmented and collapses in on itself. The political principle of polytheism is multiplicity. There are many gods, many moralities and many laws. In ancient times polytheism became united under the supremacy of the State, in order to have political unity. Politics then was the means of supply the human need for unity. The deification of the state leads to tyrannical rulers. Political participation, if it happens at all, is reduced to meaninglessness and political power becomes the norm. The result is the break down of every aspect of life. Political anarchy, drugs, crime, inflation and many other evils appear to disrupt the very foundation of a society. (Fig.L) The society of the ancients was filled with a multiplicity of gods. Each city or area had its own god. The wars that were fought were fought in the name of their god. The conqueror's god was seen as the more powerful. Most modern polytheists have rejected the idea of an ancient pantheon of gods in favour of individual human autonomy. Each man has become his own god. This is the new polytheism. Civil government was created when these gods united to transfer their power to a central authority and thus created civil government. The social contract of civil government is polytheistic without the supernatural elements of ancient polytheism.4 Polytheism leads to dualism. While dualism can be found in most deistic views it is least consistent with other theisms. Many gods often lead to the idea of two conflicting gods or forces. One is good and the other is evil. Both gods are equal and are in constant conflict one with the other. The world owes its existence to these two antagonistic principles or deities. POLYTHEISM Many gods, laws, moralities Worship god of your choice Follow his Laws Fig.L Man is seen as consisting of two different elements. The one is spirit the other matter. One 4 Christians and their churches are also often polytheistic. When one claims to be under grace and therefore not under law, they are then without law or perhaps under, what may be termed, a new or higher law. A law apart from God makes another god therefore is polytheistic. 35
being the higher and the other being the lower. A person's view of man depended on which part one saw was in ascendancy. The two elements were in constant tension in the man. The only way to limit the tension is by death. The Greek philosopher Socrates concluded since virtue was knowledge and no man sinned willingly if we have proper knowledge we will choose rightly.5 The result was a belief study and the seeking of wisdom was an advantage in this world. (Fig.M) This philosophy led to the promotion of the idea philosophers should rule. They alone had knowledge which produced virtue. Therefore they were best qualified to rule as philosopher-kings. Plato, a pupil of Socrates, in The Republic, propagated the view the salvation of the world or state required the rule of philosopher-kings. The unity of the state became the primary thing. The individual could be virtually eliminated for the sake of unity. Some philosophers, such as Aristotle attempted to modify this by stressing the individual but had no defense against the totalitarian state. Man rather than a being created by God and a religious creature is a political animal and therefore a creature of the state. Man is seen as a creature of state and the state is the means of his highest good. Highest good is self-sufficiency, which leads to anarchy. This polytheistic, classical view of man was a contradictory in that it quickly moved from totalitarianism to anarchism. The state and human beings viewed themselves as judges and mediators in all things. They both would decide things in relationship to themselves. Polytheism leads to pluralism and pluralism will lead to polytheism. Pluralism assigns equal value to all ideas and religions. The dictionary defines pluralism as "a system of thought which recognizes more than one ultimate principle."* We are said to live in a pluralistic society and therefore no one should promote their beliefs as being superior to another. The result of such thinking is there are many moralities, laws and therefore many gods. There comes a demand for political neutrality in religious matters which produced the demand for separation of church and state. The requirement of "neutral" public education is standard of measurement in the school system. The neutrality does not exist but is an atheistic and humanistic attempt to subvert Christian education. All ideas, except those of Christianity, are accepted and considered proper topics of discussion, especially in the classroom. The myth of neutrality is used to subvert evangelism. The Christian view is only one among equals. Who is the believer, that he should promote his belief as the only way to God? It is narrow minded, bigoted and the height or arrogance to suggest the Christian way to God is the only way. Salvation through Jesus Christ is good and proper for the Christian. There are other ways to God and it is divisive in a community to attempt to convert others from their faith. Other faiths have good points and people should be free to believe what they desire. Everyone has equal right to his faith. Many Christians have bought into this view and promoted the idea others have a right to be wrong. 5 Sin to Socrates was mistaking something harmful for something good. Wrong choice or sin is always to the individual hurt and right choice or virtue was always to individual advantage. 36
POLYTHEISM NEW POLYTHESIM PLURALISM NEUTRALIST CHRISTIANITY ATTACKED INDIVIDUAL CREATED FOR THE STATE EACH MAN HIS OWN GOD CENTRAL CIVIL GOVERNMENT PHILOSOPHER KINGS (RULE OF THE ELITE) TOTALITARIAN STATE ANARCHISM MANY GODS DEGENERATE LIVING CULTURE IN DECAY MANY GODS, MORALITIES LAWS DUALISM TWO EQUAL BUT OPPOSITE FORCES PRINCIPLE OF ANTAGONISM POLYTHEISM MANY GODS DEGENERATE LIVING NEW POLYTHESIM PLURALISM NEUTRALIST CHRISTIANITY ATTACKED INDIVIDUAL CREATED FOR THE STATE EACH MAN HIS OWN GOD CENTRAL CIVIL GOVERNMENT PHILOSOPHER KINGS (RULE OF THE ELITE) TOTALITARIAN STATE ANARCHISM CULTURE IN DECAY MANY GODS, MORALITIES LAWS DUALISM TWO EQUAL BUT OPPOSITE FORCES PRINCIPLE OF ANTAGONISM
Fig. M The pluralistic, polytheistic society has attacked Christianity in its attempt to evangelize the primitive peoples of the world. The Christian missionary has destroyed the culture of the people he has worked among. In Canada there is a strong move to restore First Nations religions. The return to paganism is supposed to establish their identity as a people. Missionaries robbed them by destroying their culture. We can in no way condone the excesses of abuse and disruption of the family among the First Nations people. It is clear in retrospect they were not treated with the proper Christian concern. Nevertheless a peoples' religion is their culture. When the gospel is preached to a nation and it is embraced certainly their culture will change. The world is lost, bound by sin and satan. They need deliverance and the gospel is the answer. Therefore the Christian must run counter to the popular sentiment of his society and present the gospel. The culture will change, so he will be the change agent as accused. Christians need not be embarrassed nor should they back away from the great responsibility put upon them. There can be no compromise with polytheism. Rom 1:21-28 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. (28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
DEISM PANTHEISM ENVIRONMENTALISM RATIONALISM RELATIVISM UTILITARIANISM MATERIALISM EXISTENTIALISM GOD/UNIVERSE IDENTICAL MONISM UNIVERSAL DIVINE GOD EXISTS NATURAL RELIGION BIBLE BOOK OF PRINCIPLES BIBLE UNDERSTOOD BY REASON AND FACTS PELAGIAN SOCCIANISM ARMINIANISM REASON WAY TO TRUTH REVELATION PROVIDENCE MIRACLES DENIED OR CONTAINS DIVINE PRINCIPLE WORTHY OF WORSHIP CONTINUALLY EMANATING FROM HIS BEING NO REAL CONTINUING EXISTENCE WORLD ISSUES FROM GOD CONTINUOUS CREATION GOD MUTABLE DETERMINISM GOD CREATED THE WORLD ABSENTEE GOD PANTHEISM GOD OVERSEES WORLD BY GENERAL LAWS DOES NOT INTERVENE IN HISTORY POLYTHEISM NATURE SUPREME UNIVERSAL SINGLE PERFECT SYSTEM MANY GODS DEGENERATE LIVING NEW POLYTHESIM PLURALISM NEUTRALIST CHRISTIANITY ATTACKED INDIVIDUAL CREATED FOR THE STATE EACH MAN HIS OWN GOD CENTRAL CIVIL GOVERNMENT PHILOSOPHER KINGS (RULE OF THE ELITE) TOTALITARIAN STATE ANARCHISM CULTURE IN DECAY MANY GODS, MORALITIES LAWS DUALISM TWO EQUAL BUT OPPOSITE FORCES
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