The White Church’s Dangerous Obsession with Humanism
From a biblical perspective, it is the work of the Holy Spirit through God's Word that transforms hearts, not human wisdom.
After attending several predominantly White churches across the United States and abroad, I noticed a recurring pattern in many sermons: an increasing emphasis on humanism. Pastors would often incorporate scientific explanations, philosophical concepts, human reasoning, or modern social ideas and then attempt to connect them to Scripture.
As the sermon progressed, however, the focus frequently shifted away from God's Word. A biblical passage might be introduced at the beginning, but the message would gradually revolve around human-centered ideas, leaving little connection to the Scripture that initially set the foundation for the sermon.
What Makes Humanism Dangerous?
Humanism emerged during the Renaissance in Western Europe, particularly in Italy during the 14th century. Over time, it developed into a worldview that emphasizes human reason, scientific inquiry, evidence, and philosophical thought as the primary means of understanding reality and solving human problems.
At its core, humanism teaches that humanity possesses the ability to understand and navigate life without dependence on God or divine revelation.
From a biblical perspective, this becomes dangerous when human wisdom begins to replace God's authority. It promotes self-reliance over dependence on God and elevates human understanding above divine truth. Many Christians also argue that humanistic thinking has contributed to the growth of secularism, atheism, and ideologies that place human achievement at the center of society rather than God.
Many pastors in Western churches incorporate humanistic ideas into their sermons because they believe modern audiences are more persuaded by science, philosophy, or logical reasoning than by Scripture alone. As Christianity continues to decline throughout much of the West, some churches have attempted to blend biblical teaching with secular frameworks in hopes of remaining relevant.
But Scripture does not need validation from human reasoning. Throughout the Bible, we see God confront worldly wisdom through His truth rather than adapting His truth to fit worldly wisdom.
The Apostle Paul and the Philosophers
Acts 17 records the Apostle Paul's encounter with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens. These thinkers viewed Paul's message about Jesus and the resurrection as strange and foreign (Acts 17:18).
Paul did not spend his time dissecting their philosophies or trying to prove Christianity through their intellectual systems. Instead, he proclaimed God's truth directly:
"The God who made the world and everything in it, He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by human hands... God now commands all people everywhere to repent... He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:24-31)
Rather than centering the discussion on human ideas, Paul centered it on Christ.
When some of his listeners began mocking him, Paul did not alter his message to make it more acceptable. He did not abandon the gospel for philosophical arguments. Instead, he departed from them (Acts 17:32-33).
Paul later wrote that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3:19) and that "the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
For this reason, many Christians believe pastors should not feel pressured to rely heavily on secular philosophies or humanistic explanations to support Scripture. The Word of God should remain central, just as it was in Paul's ministry.
Using science, philosophy, or human reasoning as tools for discussion is one thing. However, treating them as necessary foundations for believing God's Word can become problematic if they begin to replace faith in the gospel itself.
Jesus said:
"Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn't enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1)
Salvation does not come through intellectual arguments, scientific evidence, or philosophical reasoning. According to Romans 10:9, salvation comes through confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead.
From a biblical perspective, it is the work of the Holy Spirit through God's Word that transforms hearts, not human wisdom.
African Churches Should Avoid Human-Centered Sermons
Churches across Africa and other regions that have not been heavily shaped by Western secular culture should be careful not to adopt human-centered approaches to preaching.
When people have questions about faith, Scripture and the message of salvation should remain the primary focus rather than becoming secondary points within broader philosophical discussions.
Many cultures around the world hold beliefs involving spiritual powers, ancestral practices, or other supernatural worldviews. Just as Paul confronted false beliefs in Athens with the truth of God's Word, churches today should address competing ideas by proclaiming the gospel clearly and confidently.
Humanism, Secularism, and the Future of the West
Across much of the Western world, church attendance and Christian belief have declined while secularism and self-reliance have become increasingly common. Many Christians view this shift as a result of societies placing greater trust in human wisdom, institutions, and technological progress than in God.
Some believers also connect this trend to biblical prophecies concerning the Antichrist found in Daniel, 1 John, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation. Various interpretations suggest that growing secularism and global political influence could create conditions that make such a figure more readily accepted by society.
Pastors should continue proclaiming Christ, teaching Scripture faithfully, and challenging false ideas through the truth of God's Word.
The church's mission has never been to make the gospel conform to the culture. Its mission is to proclaim Christ and call people to repentance, faith, and obedience to God.
