Our Lawless Age (9)
Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2.11, 12
Early in his history of the 20th century, Modern Times, Paul Johnson, anticipating the folly, destruction, and terror which he is about to relate, asks the question why men should be so foolish as to put their trust in such false ideas as Freudianism, Darwinism, and Marxism. He has no doubt as to the answer: Men must believe something, must have something larger than themselves to make sense of and guide their lives. If they will not trust in God and submit to His Truth, they will be prey for whatever worldview can allure and capture them.
In the 20th century, Freudianism – with its sensual license – and Darwinism – with its liberation from transcendent realities – and Marxism – with its promise of a workers’ utopia – captured the imaginations of men and women who rejected God. The result was the bloodiest, most violent and degraded chapter the human story has ever witnessed.
Most of those who held, or continue to hold, to the tenets of these diabolical worldviews did so unconsciously. They learned from school, the media, pop culture, and their peers that it was good to embrace the lifestyle suggested by this troika of lies without worrying about whether or not it was true. Thus, Freud’s views taught people to throw off all restraint in sexual matters. Darwin allowed people to make sense out of life without God or His Law. And Marx encouraged the belief that government is the solution to every human ill.
People continue to live, love, vote, and work in an environment fouled by the lingering stench of these malevolent harbingers of death. When people will not believe in God, it’s not that they will believe anything; rather, it’s that they will believe everything.
This is the great Lie which holds our unbelieving contemporaries in its thrall: I am the captain of my fate; I am the master of my soul; I can believe and embrace everything I want, as long as it makes me happy.
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