Finding Truth 5 Principles For Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes

Principle #1 Identify the Idol

Principle #2 Identify the Idol’s Reductionism

Romans 1:28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong.

What is Reductionism? The process of reducing a something from a higher, more complex level of reality to a lower, simpler, less complex level. When an idol absolutizes some part of creation, everything else must be explained in terms of that one limited part – pulled down to that level.

How does this affect us? When we define God as a something instead of a Someone, we will tend to treat humans as somethings too Often found in the phrase “nothing but” –Religion is nothing but an expression of a psychological need –Love is nothing but a product of chemical reactions –Morality is nothing but self-interest in disguise

Where does it end? A reductionist worldview leads to dehumanizing people That leads to mistreatment, oppression, abuse, and exploitation If you think you have no free will, you will likely move toward more antisocial behaviors

Why would you think that? Romans 1:18: For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, Whatever part the idol deifies, the part is not enough to explain the whole Materialists try to live in the bottom story of a two story house!

Materialism’s Attic Problem Non-Material World Subjective, Superstitious, Mental Constructs Material World Objective, Scientific, Knowable Facts

Some common idols Eliminative materialism claims that the mental world does not exist Postmodernism absolutizes the forces of culture and community and humans are incapable of rising above them Pantheism claims that everything consists of spiritual stuff that is non-personal Islam makes God impersonal and thus the worship of Allah is impersonal and repetitious not a chosen personal love of God

Our Takeaways Reductionism is like seeing the world through a single lens God delivered them over to the wrath in the consequences of their choices of idols Rest of Romans 1 warns that idols lead to behavior that is dishonoring We were meant to honor others and ourselves because we were made in the image of our God!

Announcements Special Gator next week BCM retreat will be in November Church retreats this month Engage 24