Manmade Systems Cause Problems

This post was inspired by a discussion that broke out in one of my graduate courses. Below are some thoughts that came to mind when the professor began explaining the rise of modernism, Cartesian thinking, and the decline of biblical authority in western society. Perhaps in the near future I will more fully formulate my thoughts. Nonetheless, below are some points I am pondering...

Modernism v. Postmodernism
*The modernist view is not necessarily biblical.

• Here we have another example of a system created by man attempting to replace the system established by God
  
• Rather than living out the Christian lifestyle, many within the church conformed themselves to a flawed system. Hence, replacing God's system with a manmade system. (In essence, God is replaced by man.)

•  Therefore, when the system of modernism did not live up to its promises, many rejected the church. After all, those within the church had joined the modernist club. If the system fails, the followers of the system can't possibly be right.

• Many tend to begin by placing the world inside a system. However, one must view the established order and God's revelation in creating a lifestyle. Rather than making the world conform to a system, the system must be conformed to the established order of creation.
• Descartes' philosophy began with doubt. Generations that followed Descartes and published his writings began leaving out God. Then the philosophy became secularist.
• Another instance of placing a divide between secularist and sacred. Philosophy in and of itself is not not sacred. When it is blatantly considered secular, truth within philosophies is rejected owing to philosophy not being "sacred."
• Since Cartesian thinking led many to no longer view the Bible as an authority, many Christians have rejected it. This stems from Cartesian thinking beginning with doubt.
  
  
  • However, will Truth not prevail in the presence of doubt? Perhaps the ill effects of Cartesian thinking have led many to reject doubting. This leads to shallow, unchallenged thinking. Faith is a necessary element for Christian living. However, doubt itself is not secular. And stupidity is definitely not sacred.
  
  
  

• Many problems within the community of Christians stem from a fear of losing Truth and creating a divide between the secular and the sacred. Categorizing things as "sacred" and "secular" creates unnecessary societal divides. For example, those who have long hair may automatically be viewed by some to be not saved. Or the one who sips an ale is placed in the same category of the damned. 
  

*Thus, man-made systems cause problems. Should the reality of God's sovereignty and the sinful nature of man not lead us to strive to conform in lifestyle to God's system rather than conforming our concept of God to our own system?

I would like to reemphasize that these are just a few points to ponder. I will later post a more organized and formulated entry in the future.