THE NEW CIVIC RELIGION:
A Christian Study Guide to Humanism
By Patrick Sookhdeo
Isaac Publishing. 198 pages. £11.99
ISBN 978 0 996 724 593
This book seeks to explain the detrimental effect that Humanism is having on society in the West.
Sookhdeo’s contention is that this secular philosophy has not only eroded the Christian values underpinning Western culture; it has also led to the enthronement of a new atheistic spirit at the heart of society. This manifests itself in a civic ‘religion’ that exploits the vacuum left by Christian morality, setting up its own moral values, legal norms and educational goals instead. These new values seek to oppose and dispose of the Judeo-Christian norms that have been force for good for so long.
The author begins by outlining in detail the birth of the new civic religion now in the ascendency. He roots its origin in the growth of a post-war secular mood which encouraged the creed that ‘there is no God and so it is up to humans to save themselves by creating their own way of living’ (p.7). This confidence in the ability of humans to redeem the world denies the doctrine of original sin, leading to the deification of Man and the belief that all religion impedes human liberty and fulfilment. But it would be a mistake to see Humanism’s influence as largely a ‘world problem’. It is also a ‘church problem’. He agrees with Harry Blamires that soft-Humanism has invaded the Christian mind, leading to a loss of robust Christian thinking and living (p.13). As a result the church has become more of a culture reflector than a culture transformer – salt in danger of losing its saltiness. For Sookhdeo, the church has adopted a worldview that is weak on Christian doctrine.
This book is impressive for the breadth of material it gathers to argue its central points. It is particularly helpful in its detailed breakdown of what it sees as an aggressive humanist agenda seeking to discredit Christianity. But it is also challenging in the way it puts the onus on Christians to resist this process, encouraging us to ensure we are proactive in the spiritual development of our children and actively engaged in the world of politics and social action. Christians must be concerned citizens, not passive passengers going with the flow of the prevalent culture.
The book concludes with an exploration of the authority of the Bible. Clearly, if Christians are to actively resist, then they must be convinced of the power and authority of the Word of God. There are study questions on each chapter that might be useful in a small group discussion. It is very helpful and thought provoking.
