It is not uncommon to encounter these types of articles and
essays but as usual the author misses something. While he celebrates the demise
of religion in the face of secular reason, it has completely escaped him that
rather than religion being replaced by secularism, a religion is being replaced
by... a new religion.
While Christianity certainly qualifies as a 'religion', it is
not merely a system of thought connected to cultural practices and
institutions. Some Evangelicals have tried to divorce 'religion' from Christianity
by placing the emphasis on the subjective, the relational aspect to what it
means to be a Christian. You've probably heard, "Christianity is a
relationship not a religion."
Well intentioned to be sure, this doesn't really help in
terms of defining either Christianity or religion. The relationship has to be
defined and therefore one must speak of such things as the basis for the
relationship, the objects or parties of the relationship and the nature of
communication or communion. Is it a 'relationship' with Christ? Indeed it is,
but who is Christ Jesus? In other words we have to speak of some notion of a
'set of beliefs' and how they are derived. This means having to venture a
little beyond a testimonial.
That said, we don't need to embrace or employ a full or
holistic philosophical spectrum in order to explain the nature of Biblical
Christianity.
Let me phrase that differently. If, we base our faith on
Scripture Alone, then we don't need to embrace philosophical holism. Once we
step away from Scriptural categories and begin to ask speculative questions and
pose problems, let alone seek justification for agendas that Scripture does
not, then we're into the philosophical and must wrestle with questions of method
and the nature of knowledge operative outside
the boundaries of the text.
This is not to say that in reading Scripture we don't employ
some logic, but as I continually insist it must be thoroughly subordinated to
the Authority of the Word. If the Scriptural data defies logical coherence or
interrelatable categories, then so be it.
Christianity is a
religion but of a different order than that presented by the world. If religion
implies holism (an account of reality, all particulars categorised and placed
within an integrated system) then Christianity could be said to rest its faith
in a God who possess such knowledge and authority. Yea he is the very basis for
creation (reality) and its continued existence, but such 'holism' is not
something we possess or seek to possess this side of glory. Our knowledge is
sufficient, it rests on the reality of a holistic comprehensive order governed
by an omniscient and omnipotent God, but the nature of that system, its
mechanics, overall course and function are largely closed to us... except in
generalised or in the case of Scripture, specifically revealed terms.
The world's religions, those metaphysical traditions that
possess a complexity beyond a primitive animism represent holistic
philosophical systems. Even animism if probed, approaches something like a
holistic system, probably just one limited by pertinent and practical questions
that might arise in that cultural context. This is probably equally true of
much more complex varieties of religious thought.
Modern secularism certainly qualifies as a religion. It defines
itself as non-religious in order to
fill out the system as it were, to shut down questions of metaphysics.
Nevertheless it must necessarily turn to conceptual-idealised and non-justified
models of thought. These are reached through inference or other forms of transcendental
reasoning. In order to function in the world it regularly breaks its own
self-defined and enforced boundaries.
Though they try and deny it, the secularist must (like all men)
turn to metaphysics as a means of explaining the nature of reality. They do
this even as they seek to discredit the very notion.
This is not meant to be an endorsement of the metaphysical
endeavour, rather an acknowledgement of our state post lapsum. We cannot function without a guiding metaphysic and
yet every postulated variety is necessarily erroneous and quickly degenerates
into idolatry.
And that's what modern secularism is.
The scientists have become the theologians. Despite the fact
that all questions, even those that wrestle with theoretical models and
transcendental deduction are cast in scientific terms, the truth is these
systems are ultimately faith based.
They can examine phenomena, tinker with physics and create tools and toys. And
yet they cannot integrate the knowledge and attach necessary concepts such as
relation and meaning, let alone questions of contingency, being and telos.
And yet they do these very things, not based on scientific
knowledge but on faith.
Science in embracing reduction has attempted to discredit the
notion and nature of these questions even while the culture necessarily
entertains them. They cannot function either scientifically or practically,
theoretically or in daily life apart from these realities. They assume a holistic reality. Despite the
lip-service paid to chaos and the unverifiable assertion of a thing called
'chance', not one of them actually believes it let alone lives like they do.
They are the theologians because they have attempted to
equate epistemology and metaphysics. In other words like it or not they are
metaphysicians too. While professing to live by empiricist principles, they can
neither experiment nor speak without rooting their ideas or words in
metaphysical conceptual assumptions.
When Neil deGrasse Tyson dismisses philosophy and its
relevance he either is being very deceitful or has literally not thought very
deeply about the basis for science and how he proceeds to construct a narrative
of reality. The truth is he's actually a religious zealot wholly devoted to a
philosophical system. Whether disingenuous or blind one must question what is
the nature of the 'wisdom' such a figure can possibly offer?
In the new religion the psychologists have become the
priests. They help the struggling and lost to find meaning and provide interpretation
for one's place in life and their actions. They assuage guilt and teach a type
of ethics. Though this is all done in a supposed scientific manner, any sane
and reasoned person who has bothered to look into psychology quickly comes to
the realisation that the whole enterprise is non-scientific, subjective and
largely speculative.
In other words it is a faith-based system or series of loose systems,
based on various hypotheses related to the other largely faith-based systems of
scientific endeavour.
In this modern religion there is another order of priesthood
that takes on an almost messianic function. This is education, the school and
the academy. Others have pointed this out and though their assessments may be
partly right we need not necessarily embrace the whole of their conclusions.
Education serves as a means of integrating knowledge and
prepares the secular acolyte to be a citizen... to live a meaningful life that
finds its purpose in the structure of society. Societal respect and reverence
is almost akin to salvation. One who advances
society enters the cult of saints or even the pantheon. These concepts are wed
to a transformationalist evolutionary meta-narrative. The basis of education
rests on the authority of the theologians, scientists and other academics who
interpret reality through various forms of 'scientific' analysis.
Obviously many of the liberal arts don't fit into this system
very well and thus it's no surprise they are being slowly but surely downgraded,
deconstructed and in many cases delegitimised and eliminated.
At the very least they are in the eyes of a large sector of
society losing their validity and certainly any kind of academic credibility.
The secularist is also duly engaged in the erection of a
Sacralist state which codifies the system in political and culture terms and
seeks to apply ethics through legislation and a social code that controls
thought and speech.
They too seek to create a sacral society wherein the
institutions that wrestle with metaphysical questions such as being, time,
existence, meaning, context, humanity and other ideals necessarily conform to
the dictates of the 'theologians' and serve the general interests of society
and its organising principle or political order.
Thus like all Sacral projects, the new society will be governed
by agreed upon dogmas and by implication those who reject them are to be
reckoned heretics.
While presenting themselves as rationally driven, coherent,
liberal and tolerant, they quickly succumb in thought and action to the
realities of wielding power or seeking it. In the end all thought is
essentially politicised. Heresy challenges the existing order and must be
destroyed.
Though it comes in many guises, it's an old, well-worn and
evil path.
Power becomes the essence of what the Sacral religion is.
Power, the deification of man, becoming as God, is what lies at the heart of
all false religion. The self-referential impulse, the elevation of self as the
standard, man being the measure of all things is the religion of Serpent
Worship dating back to the final day in Eden. The Evolutionary Trans-humanism
of the coming Secular Civilisation will amplify this tendency and take it to
new and very evil extremes.
Secular Sacralism is revealed as yet another false religion,
another hydra-head of the great Apocalyptic Beast.
The Beasts often destroy one another but Revelation provides
the additional imagery of a Whore, a Mystery Babylon riding on the Beast. This
woman I will argue represents the False Church, the adulterous bride, the
Covenant people in a state of apostasy that comes to dominate The Last Days.
She in her various incarnations of apostasy has in many ways facilitated the
rise of this new Secular-Humanist Beast. The False Church laid the foundations
and even as it dies, it continues to aid and abet the latest Bestial endeavour.
We read of her destruction. The Self-Deified Imperial Beast
powers turn on her and destroy her. Heaven rejoices to be sure but this only
opens another stage in worldly opposition and persecution. We do not lament the
fall of Christendom (which is by implication and definition apostate) but at
the same time we know the rise of a new religion and with it a Sacral order
will only mean further grief, lamentation and cross- bearing for the faithful
remnant.
But rejoice O people of God. It is a day and time for deeds,
for bearing witness and for glorifying our God with our lives that shine forth
and proclaim the glory of His salvation and goodness. With our exilic lives and
the testimony of death we bear witness of the glorious Age to Come.