ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
In This Month's
St. John Witness
NOVEMBER WITNESS
Pastor's Message
Life without God. There are people who truly believe that life without God is a wonderful life. This thought is expressed by the Humanist Manifesto III. Listen to these ideas that ignore God in every way, and then look for how these words are considered normal in our conversations about life in America today.
“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity. It is in this sense that we affirm the following:
1. Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis.
2. Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.
3. Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves
4. Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.
5. Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.
6. Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.
7. Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views.
Look at the Apostle’s Creed: it contradicts each statement, including God’s plan for humanity from beginning to end:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen.
The Creed is not a Humanist Manifesto, and is opposed to it. It is a statement of theology, that is, a statement about God in our world. If you want to know how to address these anti-Christian biases, study Scripture. You may also come to Bible class in Memorial Hall on Sunday mornings. We will look at what God say about these things.
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Grimm