What is valuable in the West continues to change as the influence of biblical Christianity continues to wane. In the same week, two different individuals highlighted this ongoing values transformation.

In an interview with the BBC, Ludwig Minelli, founder of a Swiss right-to-die group, said that suicide is a “marvelous, marvelous possibility for a human being.” He further stated, “Suicide is a very good possibility to escape a situation which you can’t alter.” At the same time, Bonnie Erbe of U.S. News and World Report, asserted that abortion is “not a bad choice” in an economic downturn.

Minelli and Erbe avow that taking human life is a viable option when economics are an issue. In fact, Minelli sees suicide as a viable option for any number of reasons including wanting to die at the same time as one’s spouse.

In what sense is suicide a marvelous possibility for a human being? The reality is that such an option can only be considered viable and attractive on a naturalistic (evolutionary) worldview. Because humans are the product of random chance and no different than animals on that worldview, life is meaningless. Therefore, putting oneself out of misery is a good option if the misery is too great. Of course, the next step will be for social engineers to make those decisions for others even as they increasingly attempt to do so now. Just as it is humane to put a horse out of its misery, so too it will be deemed a humane decision when others put a human being out of [its] misery.

Christians know that there is life after death; apart from Christ there is a Hell which is far worse than any so-called hell on earth. Practically, situations can always be altered. Even when someone is physically unable to alter his situation, he can alter his thinking about his situation (Phil. 4:6f). And, there is a heaven to gain for those who look to Christ for real life.

Further, pragmatic conclusions are not always the best nor are they usually right in an ethical sense. Minelli argues that successful suicide attempts will increase and failed attempts will decrease if we as a culture adopt a favorable attitude toward suicide. As suicide success rates rise, costs to society will decrease. Expenses associated with caring for those who attempt suicide but fail will decline.

Such a position is horrific (though not unexpected when one considers Scriptural teaching on fallen man’s inability to think rightly about these matters). Do we really want to live in a society where economic concerns are supreme? What about relationships; ideas; or human potential? What about a culture’s values: life; essential dignity; man as a special creation of God in His image? Who says cost savings are the greatest benefit to society? Press the logic here. What if your six-year-old becomes too expensive? Should you simply kill him?

The man (or woman) apart from Christ will find biblical assertions irrational when they conflict with his/her pursuit of happiness. While compassion for this spiritually helpless individual must grip our hearts, we must recognize that economic materialism has become the god of our culture.

This god is manifest in Erbe’s comments as well. For her part, with reference to an unwed, Oakland couple who opted to abort a wanted child when the father lost his job, Erbe lamented the media referring to the decision as tragic: “But in the long run, can we not agree that an unwed couple's decision not to bring a fourth child into the world when they are having trouble feeding themselves and three children is no tragedy? It's actually a fact-based, rational decision that in the end benefits the three children they already have and society as well.”

Erbe demonstrates a complete lack of compassion toward the Oakland couple cited. Compassion has no place on a materialistic/naturalistic worldview. Rational decision making is supreme. There is no thought given to the value of life or the value that one might bring to the lives of others including parents and siblings. On a materialistic worldview, then, the flood gates are open. Anyone who is not productive may simply be put to death for economic reasons: and that is judged a good thing (on that worldview).

A significant and related problem subtly develops when this cultural mindset grips the church. Many couples delay or forego having children so career pursuits won’t be hindered. Mothers are put to work in an effort to grasp the culture’s definition of the good life. Couples opt against having a second or third child for economic reasons. Erbe’s assertions concerning abortion should appall us. But shouldn’t the stance that so many believers have adopted also give us pause? Children are a heritage from the Lord. Our culture has a wrong view of what’s valuable; what is a blessing; and what is the good life.

Material pragmatism drives Erbe’s thought process. There is another side to the pragmatic equation however. Erbe says abortion, with particular reference to the Oakland couple, will spare public resources (welfare). Could the man not find another job? Could he get private assistance for the baby? What about the future economic potential and productivity added to the economy that may derive from allowing the child to be born? What about new technology and solutions forced by need as populations grow? In other words, unforeseen problems will arise with population growth that will necessitate creative solutions. Some of those solutions will benefit us in ways that are also unforeseen. Those benefits will not come about without population growth.

As alluded to however, these arguments are pragmatic as well. The only satisfying answer lies in philosophical consistency and that is found only in God.

Of course, materialism/naturalism collapses upon itself; it is philosophically self-destroying. Materialism says there is nothing but the physical; nothing but cause and affect. With reference to human beings and thinking there is nothing but brain (no immaterial soul). On that worldview thoughts are nothing but programmed responses to stimuli.

Now, think here. If thoughts are nothing but programmed responses to stimuli, true reason then is non-existent. Reason is only perceived; it is but a natural response to a set of stimuli. So, when the materialist asserts reason as supreme, he asserts something as supreme that does not exist on his worldview. Reason can only exist on a Christian worldview.

In the end, God values human life. He says that life is His to give and take away, not ours. An attack on a human being is an attack on God (Gen. 9:6). When this truth is firmly implanted in our minds, these issues will be simple for us to resolve. Moreover, the biblical worldview makes sense. It is philosophically consistent. Your worldview is a matter of life and death. A commitment to God’s existence (and salvation in Christ) is the only thing that will save your life and our culture of death. And, saving your life and the lives of others is valuable.

To schedule Dr. Dean to speak on Christian Worldview or to schedule biblical counseling training for your church through the Southern Baptist Association of Biblical Counselors or the International Association of Biblical Counselors, e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com.

 

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Spiegel Online International reported that “Michael Jackson is considering having his body ‘plastinated’ by Body Worlds founder Gunther von Hagens. The controversial doctor says he could give the wacky pop star ‘the gift of immortality.’” The process would preserve Jackson’s body after his death. “Von Hagens said that his patented plastination process could continue the process of reshaping Jackson's body that the self-styled King of Pop has pursued through multiple plastic surgery operations. ‘I could give Michael the gift of physical immortality -- he has already achieved this with his music.’”

 

Aside from the sad sideshow Michel Jackson has become, his desire to preserve himself beyond the grave is something that God has put in the hearts of each one of us (Ecc. 3:11). The problem lies in the fact that we have suppressed our knowledge of Him so that our hearts and understanding are darkened by sin apart from Christ (Rom. 1:18-21). Jackson’s desire is but one among a myriad of ways that human beings attempt to somehow gain immortality apart from Christ. Despite what the naturalists tell us, we know in our hearts that there is more to life than what we have now. Persons search for meaning in their lives, want to make a difference in this world, long to leave a legacy, and hope for something hereafter. When people seek to have themselves “plastinated” or do similarly foolish things, it is owing to our sinful nature coming into contact with the knowledge of God within us. Suppression of that knowledge manifests itself in many forms.

 

At the heart of seeking immortality apart from Christ is a denial of the fall of man into sin and a failure to recognize its affect on us. It is sin that causes us to seek satisfaction in anything apart from Christ including self-attained immortality or even the way we look in the here and now. “Plastination” is simply the logical conclusion to Jackson’s ongoing efforts to alter his appearance. The booming business of cosmetic surgery, tummy tucks, implants, collagen injections, lip plumping, etc., has its root in the same dynamic: an idolatrous failure to find satisfaction in Christ. It is pride and self-worship that drives persons to find their joy in themselves in any form.

 

“Plastination” is also a patent denial of the resurrection. Our bodies are subject to decay by virtue of the fall. They do not last. Even those present at the return of Christ will experience a bodily transformation. Because we place so little emphasis on the resurrection we fail to understand its significance as a major part of the hope we have in Christ (Phil. 3:14).

 

Certainly we need to take care of our bodies as good stewards of that which God has given us. Moreover, the bodies of those who know Christ are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Christians need to present their bodies in appropriate ways in public for God’s glory. At the same time, Christians need to accept God’s providence for them in the aging process. That does not mean that we cannot avail ourselves of medical care when needed. God gives us the gifts of life and intelligence. Preserving that life through medical advance honors God’s gift of life and His command to subdue the earth.

 

But, cosmetic surgery is in a different category. While it may be biblically warranted in certain cases, we must check our motivation. If the issue is rooted in pride or an attempt to slow the outward appearance of aging, heart issues are involved and must be brought before the Lord.

 

At the same time, consider the fact that one can advance the gospel by accepting the aging process. Aging visibly displays the affects of the curse and the need for redemption. When we accept it gracefully, we openly declare that satisfaction is in Christ and that our hope is in the resurrection, not the mythical fountain of youth, plastic surgery or “plastination.” And, in the end, only God can give the gift of immortality.

 

To schedule Dr. Dean to speak on Christian Worldview or to schedule biblical counseling training for your church through the Southern Baptist Association of Biblical Counselors or the International Association of Biblical Counselors, e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com.

 

Sign up free for “The Dean’s List,” a news and Christian worldview e-letter highlighting relevant news stories affecting Christians. The e-letter is sponsored by "Calling for Truth," a live, call-in radio program hosted by Dr. Dean. Simply e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com to receive your first issue.

 

To listen live to "Calling for Truth" each M-W-F from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Eastern Time, go to www.callingfortruth.org and click on the "Listen Live" button. You may listen to archived shows as well. They are uploaded each day after the broadcast.

 

Yahoo News offered a revealing story on churches in the midst of the 2009 economic crisis. “Foreclosures and delinquencies for congregations are rising, according to companies that specialize in church mortgages. With credit scarce, church construction sites have gone quiet, holding shells of sanctuaries that were meant to be completed months ago. Congregants have less money to give, and pastors who stretched to buy property in the boom are struggling to hold onto their churches.”

The Scriptures declare that economies will always change. Above all others, the people of God should not be caught unaware of such a reality. Yet, while some churches that have acted wisely have been caught unaware in the downturn, other churches have been caught because they have acted unwisely. Other factors can contribute to the problem including the fact that some churches have experienced a drop in donations due to congregational rifts. Some are renegotiating mortgages and some are closing down. Other churches are attempting to survive through additional funds provided by congregation members who have mortgaged their homes. Such a move can make a church’s position that much more precarious. If the bank is unwilling to loan more money, the church is deemed not to have the means to pay. By borrowing from its members, the church is simply going deeper into the hole and making longer and more difficult the road to recovery.

Yet another reason the church has so little impact in contemporary American life is that her pursuits and the way she goes about those pursuits is not unlike the world. While the gospel of Christ is the only means of saving souls, while the church has been given a commission to take that gospel to the nations, while a focus on others and self-sacrifice are vaunted values in Scripture, many American churches spend millions of dollars on massive campuses littered with buildings and equipment to serve themselves. At the same time, the culturally bred appetite for such is so insatiable that churches are willing to violate biblical principles to obtain what they want. While borrowing money is not strictly forbidden by Scripture, it is clear that wisdom must be exercised in such an endeavor. Overextending is presumption in the face of clear teaching that wealth is uncertain (1 Tim. 6:17).

Even more serious is the fact that God’s reputation and the gospel’s power are on the line when churches default on their loans. Their witness is ruined. Make no mistake: the world takes note when churches don’t pay their bills. Neither is it lost on them when the church values its own wealth and earthly glory.

At issue here is not whether local congregations can have physical facilities. The issue is what type of facilities does a church have and for what purpose. It’s difficult to talk about personal stewardship and a denial of self for the sake of the gospel if the collective church is not setting the example. How many churches have been burdened with debt because of the pastor’s ego? How many churches have suffered financially in the aftermath of a church rift or economic downturn because of massive debt?

Christians must also think carefully before co-signing for a church or borrowing a large sum of money against their homes. Not only might they be joining in something that is not honoring to the Lord, but they could be doing something that is unwise. Note Prov. 22:26-27: “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?” God is essentially saying “Don’t be stupid. You might lose your house if things go south.”

Further, with reference to church facilities, it is true that God’s glory is on display in beauty and architecture. But, other biblical principles must come into play when determining what type of facility is appropriate for a New Testament church. Some will site Old Testament examples of God’s displeasure over the Temple lying in ruins (Hag. 1:1f). However, we should keep in mind three critical facts: 1) The Old Testament temple is a picture of the true temple which is Christ and His body (1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 21:22). 2) The true temple is that which has the true beauty. That beauty has nothing to do with a physical building but the beauty of God’s wisdom and God’s people who come together from different backgrounds to form one body in Christ (Eph. 3:1-10). 3) The true temple of God is no longer confined to one location but is now scattered throughout the whole world. The type of building the true temple (God’s people) worships in is irrelevant in terms of adornment. The people are its adornment.

In the end, the question is always the same. What is your focus? What drives you? Is it worldly wealth and comfort? Is it extravagance? Is it a monument to man? Or, are you driven by satisfaction in God and His glory and the resulting wise stewardship of the things He has given you by grace? Money and financing are viable tools for accomplishing certain ends. Yet, those tools must be used properly and the ends must be submitted to the scrutiny of God’s word. May God give us His focus. May we commit to avoid buying into the value system of the world that we might avoid failure.

To schedule Dr. Dean to speak on Christian Worldview or to schedule biblical counseling training for your church through the Southern Baptist Association of Biblical Counselors or the International Association of Biblical Counselors, e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com

Sign up free for “The Dean’s List,” a news and Christian worldview e-letter highlighting relevant news stories affecting Christians. The e-letter is sponsored by "Calling for Truth," a live, call-in radio program hosted by Dr. Dean. Simply e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com to receive your first issue.

To listen live to "Calling for Truth" each M-W-F from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Eastern Time, go to www.callingfortruth.org and click on the "Listen Live" button. You may listen to archived shows as well. They are uploaded each day after the broadcast.

Fear is a powerful emotion and becomes a powerful force when divorced from a Christian worldview. Consider the statement from Britain’s “green” adviser: “Families should be restricted to two children, with abortion part of the population control effort to protect the environment,” Baptist Press reports. Fear that the human race won’t survive combined with the notion that this world is all that there is drives misguided individuals to propose foolish measures with consequences far worse than the perceived problem they attempt to solve.

 

Such a snare, as alluded to, proceeds from a worldview opposed to reality. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7).” Fear must never guide our decision-making process; it does not come from God. When thinking rightly about any situation, the power to analyze and solve problems comes from God. At the same time, love for God and man will be a motivating factor. Certainly the idea of population control is rooted in a complete absorption with self. The fact that such a scheme would gain serious consideration or be thought worthy of mention is due to the loss of “sound mind” in a collective sense as relativism has gripped the Western world.

 

Not only does panic drive people to extreme positions that are rarely viable even on a mere human plane, it impels them to irrationality. In this case, human beings, the most precious commodity the world has, become expendable. Population control by necessity militates against advances in medicine, technology, art, and a civilized culture in general. Economic prosperity cannot exist when the population trends downward. Such a trend affects the number of persons in the market place, the number of persons providing goods and services, and the number of persons engaged in research and development of new ideas. Construction slows, cities shrink, and towns die. Such is the slow death of civilization when the Christian worldview is rejected for human solutions. It is no trivial mandate God has given us to populate the earth in a multiplicative way and subdue it (Gen 1:28).

 

Mere human wisdom applied to problems, real or imagined, is not only bound to failure but rooted in relativism. Population control is but one idea among many. When relativism holds sway, who is to say which solution is right? Which idea is right? In the end, those with power will make the decision based upon their own futile thinking (Eph. 4:17).

 

Of course, that actuality is already in play and the indoctrination process has already begun. “‘I think we will work our way towards a position that says that having more than two children is irresponsible,’ said Jonathon Porritt, chairman of the English government’s Sustainable Development Commission, The Times of London reported.”

 

It is at this very point that Christians need to be awakened to the fact that ideas have consequences and the world’s ideas are relentlessly marching forward. The world has no shortage of evangelists propagating its false gospel of deliverance. While the church sleeps the world speaks. And yet, God has given us the message the world needs and the commission to speak it just as relentlessly.

 

Make no mistake. If ideas like this are not refuted in a potent way, indoctrination will give way to coercion. The sad reality is that many if not most people will have bought into the “propriety” of the position. Such things are not only rooted in fear and ignorance, but the concept that government or someone who is smarter than we are has the right to not only to tell us what to do, that is take away our liberty, but to countermand God’s command. Liberty cannot be sustained in a climate of relativism. In such a climate the world’s version of tolerance must give way to totalitarianism. Politically correct tolerance is but a tool along the way to erase the absolute standard set by God Himself. It goes without saying that those who hold such a position have no problem in attacking God Himself by way of abortion as part of the means of population control (Gen. 9:6).

 

One other issue should be measured here. Jonathon Porritt went on to say, “I am unapologetic about asking people to connect up their own responsibility for their total environmental footprint and how they decide to procreate and how many children they think are appropriate.” These ideas sound good to the human ear. He speaks of responsibility and the fact that people will decide for themselves “how many children they think are appropriate.” First, he’s already suggested a two-child limit. That takes the decision away from parents. Second, he places the decision in a relativistic construct; the parents’ decision is based on what they think. Again, the issue is never what I think. It is always what God thinks. It is the height of arrogance and sin to make any kind of decision on how many children one will have without putting God into the equation.

 

In the end, fear must not be our guide nor may we give ourselves to mere human solutions. And, we as Christians must do more than that. We must ever speak the truth in love. The foundational premise of that truth is quite simply that God is real. With this particular issue, perhaps the next thing to convey is equally straightforward: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate (Ps. 127:3-5).”

 

To schedule Dr. Dean to speak on Christian Worldview or to schedule biblical counseling training for your church through the Southern Baptist Association of Biblical Counselors or the International Association of Biblical Counselors, e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com.

 

Sign up free for “The Dean’s List,” a news and Christian worldview e-letter highlighting relevant news stories affecting Christians. The e-letter is sponsored by "Calling for Truth," a live, call-in radio program hosted by Dr. Dean. Simply e-mail pauldeanjr@juno.com to receive your first issue.

 

To listen live to "Calling for Truth" each M-W-F from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Eastern Time, go to www.callingfortruth.org and click on the "Listen Live" button. You may listen to archived shows as well. They are uploaded each day after the broadcast.