Christians have had to defend their faith against false teaching and rival philosophies and religions in every generation. There are deep-seated strongholds of atheism, secularism, moral relativism, and pluralism that seek to extend their influence throughout the world. Islam and Hinduism are militant forms of false religions that compete for the minds and hearts of this generation. The idols of material success, and the desire for fame and notoriety are powerful seductions. The attractions of this world: the craving for health, wealth, and power are addictive. They cannot easily be demolished. They are strengthened every day by the culture, by entertainment, by the media, by the academy, by popular demand, and by our receptive, easily influenced, self-centered sinful nature.

What are some of today's arguments and pretensions - conceited presumptions? Let me mention only three.

First, the argument from Atheism. "There is no God and therefore we are not accountable to anybody. Everything is permitted." That is the recipe for anarchy and chaos personally and politically. If there is no God then it is everyone for himself. It is a philosophy of nothingness: nihilism. Without God you have to set up another authority. Marxism substitutes the Communist Party bureaucrats. It has been tried and found wanting. The New Atheists substitute what they consider their reason, which is another word for their conceited opinions, and their self-centeredness. Life has no enduring purpose or value. Human beings are reduced to biological computers. Love has no meaning. Atheism is literally a soul-less philosophy.

Second, the argument from Hedonism. "This life is all that there is so eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die." This hedonistic view elevates immediate pleasure as the supreme goal of life. "A bird in hand is worth two in the bush so seize the day (carpe diem) and live for the moment." Delayed gratification, control of impulses, a sense of responsibility to others, and commitment, are sacrificed for immediate gain both personally and politically. Marriage and family ties are transitory. Procrastination and appeasement of those who demand more is the order of the day. "Do the minimum required. Put off to tomorrow the hard choices. Let others pay the bill for your comforts. Pass the buck. Avoid having to face the music. Enjoy your day in the sun and leave it to others to clean up after you." But one day there will be a final reckoning. There is a resurrection from the dead, a judgment day, eternal life, a heaven and a hell. There is a relationship between what one believes about the future and how one behaves in the present. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Third, the argument from Humanism. "The answers to life's problems are to be found in future discoveries. Progress in human behavior, health, peaceful communities and wealth will be achieved by new methods, new inventions, new understanding, new breakthroughs so that there will be universal human flourishing and an inclusive, accepting society." This utopian vision does not take into account the persistence of the self-centeredness, greed, evil, immorality and cruelty of humanity. These problems will not be solved by politicians, scientists, academics or Nobel prizewinners. There has to be a spiritual solution to the problem of sin. Jesus came calling us to repentance so that we might enter the kingdom of God. We need more humility and a change of heart and mind, which Jesus called being born again of the Spirit, if the world is to be changed for the better.

It is a serious and strenuous task to demolish such arguments which exercise intellectual control over so many people. We should not take such a spiritual battle lightly. That is why we must strengthen ourselves by captivating every thought to the mind of Christ. What goes into our minds determines who we are. There is a battle for the mind in our culture. "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (Romans 8:5) If we are to win the war for the mind we must set our minds on what the Spirit of Christ desires. What is that?

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

These are the moral virtues of life, what the ancient classical philosophers called the Good. We share these in common with all people of every race, nation and religion who seek the moral virtues of the commandments that God has revealed. Absolute moral standards exist in the world that all seekers after God have affirmed over the ages. There is no basic moral relativity. There is a moral law built into the universe, otherwise there would be no such thing as Justice.

"Christian standards of morality and beauty are not simply expressions of subjective feelings but truths graciously revealed from God for the welfare of his people and of all creation." (Frank Thielman, NIV Application Commentary on Philippians, p.225)

We should not hesitate to pursue the truth in every situation, to aim for what is noble, to choose the hard right against the easy wrong, to be pure in heart, single-minded in our focus, to appreciate the lovely wherever it may be found, to admire that which is worthy, to fill our minds with the excellent rather than the mediocre, and to affirm those who contribute to the common good. The ability to do these is to be found only in the power of Christ.

May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
By his love and power controlling all I do and say.

With what do you fill your mind? What do you read, what do you view on television? What worldview do you passively absorb from the culture? It is so easy to act as though we are atheists, hedonists or humanists while giving lipservice to our Christian Faith. Yet they are incompatible. On the surface they may appear harmless, but they harbor enemies of the Gospel. We must consciously demolish any worldview that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought we have to make them obedient to Christ. That is the only way to win the war of the mind and belong to Christ.

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