95 Theses on Humanism: Christianity and Enlightenment, Secularism and Freethinking

by Ignace Demaerel, Esther Hoop (Translator)

Overview

Since the rise and growth of secularization, the place of God and religion is becoming increasingly problematic in our Western culture. But what is the alternative to its Christian heritage? Humanism puts "man" at the center of everything, but can you "believe in man" just as much as you can believe in God? Is this secular worldview really rational, based on science, consistent, and durable? And above all, does our society become more humane because of it? Can you simply obliterate God from our culture and values without these collapsing like a pudding? Secular humanism has always been extremely critical of the church--and in itself that is allowed--but what if we judge and measure it with the same criteria?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532655388
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	08/02/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	202
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Ignace Demaerel (1961) was born in Brussels, Belgium. He studied philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven, and Protestant Theology in Brussels. He is married, has four children, one foster son, and four grandchildren. In addition to teaching religion at school, he is a pastor in Brussels. He has written many articles and two brochures (“The Spiritual Climate of Belgium” and “Father, Make Us One”), and he has published four books in Dutch (on prayer, the person of Jesus, bread and wine, and now on humanism). Since 2012 he has also been a columnist/opinion writer for the Flemish magazine Knack.be. The “95 Theses on Humanism” is the first book to be translated into English.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ix

Preface xi

Introductory remarks xv

1 Humanism: A Bit of History 1

1.1 What is 'humanism'? 1

1.2 Humanism in the 14th and 16th century. 3

1.3 The 'Prince of the Humanists': Erasmus 4

1.4 The 'Enlightenment' 7

1.5 The search for a 'reasonable religion' 12

1.6 The French Revolution 13

1.7 How 'Christian' were the Middle Ages actually? 15

1.8 Abuses in the Church at that time 18

1.9 How 'dark' actually were the Middle Ages? 20

1.10 How 'light' was the Enlightenment? 24

2 The Humanistic Vision 29

2.1 'Modern' Humanism 29

2.2 Humanism as ideology. 32

2.3 'Believing in man' 35

2.3.1 What does 'I believe in man mean? 35

2.3.2 Man as 'measure of all things' 38

2.3.3 Man: champion of unreliability 41

2.4 The humanistic and Christian image of man 44

2.4.1 The 'value' of man 44

2.4.2 Images of God 45

2.4.3 Afterlife or here-and-now 46

2.4.4 The view on good and evil 48

2.4.5 Man: naked monkey or 'god'? 50

2.5 Materialism versus idealism 51

2.5.1 What is the 'spirit' and spiritual poverty? 52

2.5.2 Philosophical materialism and 'flat' materialism 53

2.5.3 The spiritual world: castle in the air or 'the' reality? 55

2.6 Science, philosophy, and reason 57

2.6.1 Science versus religion: real or false contradiction? 57

2.6.2 Scientism: must science save the world? 60

2.6.3 Miracles vs laws of nature 61

2.6.4 Should philosophy save the world? 63

2.6.5 Rational, rationalistic, reasonable or wise? 65

2.6.6 A higher rationality 67

2.6.7 What is 'believing' then? 69

2.7 The main principles of humanism 72

2.7.1 Humanism as a framework for meaning: life questions, goals, and transcendence 72

2.7.2 Separation between Church and State 74

2.7.3 Critical sense and rationality 76

2.7.4 Active pluralism 77

2.7.5 Free research 80

2.8 The (moral) values of humanism 81

2.8.1 Autonomy and self-determination 82

2.8.2 Self-realization 85

2.8.3 Freedom 87

2.8.4 Tolerance 89

2.8.5 Openness and broad-mindedness 92

2.8.6 Human dignity 93

2.8.7 Brotherhood / solidarity 95

2.8.8 Conclusion: humanism and morality? 96

2.8.8.1 The 'humanistic' values? 96

2.8.8.2 Do absolute moral standards exist? 97

2.8.8.3 Humane or humanistic? 99

2.9 Atheism 100

2.9.1 Religion: abuse, violence, and wars 100

2.9.2 Atheism, science, and (un)belief 102

2.10 Secularity and neutrality 104

2.10.1 Secularization and secularism 104

2.10.2 Neutrality: politically, morally, and ideologically? 107

3 Humanism in Practice 110

3.1 The battle for worldviews 111

3.1.1 Organized freethinking 111

3.1.2 Freemasonry and free thinking 114

3.1.3 The war for power and perception 117

3.1.4 Excesses of humanism 122

3.2 The 'fruit' of humanism 124

3.2.1 Medical ethics 124

3.2.2 Marriage, family, and relationships 125

3.2.3 Sexuality, pornography, prostitution 127

3.2.4 Postmodernism, relativism, and nihilism 129

3.2.5 Spiritual emptiness and new idols 130

3.3 Christian humanism and humanist Christianity 133

3.3.1 A reasonable, modern, adjusted belief? 133

3.3.2 Academic theology 134

3.3.3 Humanism in the churches 136

3.3.4 A clash of god images! 141

3.3.5 Water or wine? 143

4 Conclusion: humanism vs. Christianity 146

4.1 Historically: history falsification 146

4.2 Theoretically: inconsistent 148

4.3 Spiritually: meagerness 150

4.4 Morally: 'long live anarchy'! 155

4.5 Practically: derailment 157

4.6 Subconsciously: irrational allergies and fears 159

4.7 And the future? A dreadful vision 162

4.8 And nine more comparisons 163

4.8.1 The Titanic 163

4.8.2 The banking crisis 164

4.8.3 The sorcerer's apprentice 165

4.8.4 The torch opposite the sun 165

4.8.5 The sun and planets 167

4.8.6 Conductor and orchestra 168

4.8.7 Diagnosis and medicine 169

4.8.8 Genetically modified food 169

4.8.9 The sustainability of the planet 170

4.9 Finally: anthropocentrism or theocentrism? 172

Previous publications Ignace Demaerel 177

Bibliography 179

Index 181

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book is as bold, direct, and clear in confronting humanism and its effects on the church and Western culture, as was Martin Luther’s original 95 Theses that started the Reformation. . . . This book takes you beyond the obvious and provides clarity and real answers to the key issues. It has the potential to not only inform but to transform culture. A highly recommended read for every Christian in the West.”

—Gary Benjamin, Pastor of Prayer at Gateway Church, Southlake Texas



“In this age when the global community is once again approaching a season of sweeping reforms, Ignace Demaerel has published his 95 Theses on Humanism to help us reexamine humanism. This is a thought-provoking read that examines the historical origins and various forms of humanism. The reader will also be challenged by the examination of the implications and conclusions of humanism which most in our time have accepted as true but with little examination or testing. It is a helpful and enjoyable read.”

—Barry Wissler, President, HarvestNet International



“Captivating, quick, and full of ingenious quotes that give shape to this ever-changing belief system. The author provides sharp wit and stark answers to present day questions. A quick tour of the philosophies and subtle changes that began to shape humanism and culture itself. The writer challenges humanism to use its pillars of tolerance and open-mindedness to discover itself. Does the Father of Humanism approve of what it is today?”

—R.J. Gathright, founder of Four Corners Global



"Coming from a life of hands-on, dedicated, and committed Christian activism and prayer for Europe from his homeland of Belgium, Ignace Demaerel offers us a perspective on the European zeitgeist that is accessible and well worth reflecting on. I have found it to be a significant challenge to my own thought and action and recommend it."

—Roger Haydon Mitchell, Political Theologian and Activist, Lancaster University, UK

Editorial Reviews

This book is as bold, direct, and clear in confronting humanism and its effects on the church and Western culture, as was Martin Luther’s original 95 Theses that started the Reformation. . . . This book takes you beyond the obvious and provides clarity and real answers to the key issues. It has the potential to not only inform but to transform culture. A highly recommended read for every Christian in the West.”

—Gary Benjamin, Pastor of Prayer at Gateway Church, Southlake Texas



“In this age when the global community is once again approaching a season of sweeping reforms, Ignace Demaerel has published his 95 Theses on Humanism to help us reexamine humanism. This is a thought-provoking read that examines the historical origins and various forms of humanism. The reader will also be challenged by the examination of the implications and conclusions of humanism which most in our time have accepted as true but with little examination or testing. It is a helpful and enjoyable read.”

—Barry Wissler, President, HarvestNet International



“Captivating, quick, and full of ingenious quotes that give shape to this ever-changing belief system. The author provides sharp wit and stark answers to present day questions. A quick tour of the philosophies and subtle changes that began to shape humanism and culture itself. The writer challenges humanism to use its pillars of tolerance and open-mindedness to discover itself. Does the Father of Humanism approve of what it is today?”

—R.J. Gathright, founder of Four Corners Global



"Coming from a life of hands-on, dedicated, and committed Christian activism and prayer for Europe from his homeland of Belgium, Ignace Demaerel offers us a perspective on the European zeitgeist that is accessible and well worth reflecting on. I have found it to be a significant challenge to my own thought and action and recommend it."

—Roger Haydon Mitchell, Political Theologian and Activist, Lancaster University, UK

From the Publisher