Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes

I read Nancy Pearcey’s book, Total Truth and “Finding Leonardo” last year and found them to be really compelling. Pearcey’s experience at L’Abri Fellowship with Francis Schaeffer inspired her to reclaim her Christian faith and delve into areas of Philosophy and Apologetics that are often times denigrated by evangelicals. In this follow up book to Total Truth, Pearcey wants to equip Christians with tools that combat idols. Taking a page from Romans 1, Pearcey builds her thesis on verses 16-32. Romans 1 is easily one of my most favorite chapters of scripture. She calls it a guide to apologetics.Pearcey’s utmost concern is about worldview. She argues that Christianity is the most coherent worldview among all the philosophies of the world. This is why the Apostle Paul can say, in Romans 1:16, that he is “not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” It is only through the Christian worldview that men can have a dignified and complete view of humanity.Pearcey has a 5 step guide to diminishing idols in our lives. She argues that idols don’t just have to be other gods, but an idol is defined as anything that replaces God. Therefore, philosophies can be idols because they inherently replace God with other ideas. Here is her 5 step guide summarized:1. Identify the idol. Every worldview outside of the Christian worldview replaces God in some way. For the rationalist, they replace God with science. Postmodernist replace God with the supreme power of ideas in a community or within themselves (they alone possess the “truth”, because there are no other truths except for the truth that there are no truths). Marxists replace God with an idea of economics and distribution of wealth. The point Pearcey makes is that every philosophy fails to answer the question with any precision, why are humans unique and what makes them special? For this reason, they replace God with an idol, just as Romans 1:23 says, “[they] exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”2. Identify the idols reductionism. Reductionism, in its most basic sense, is the idea of extrapolating on a certain point when not considering the whole. For example, postmodernists focus in on the idea that they have a monopoly on truth. What is true for me is true for me and what is true for you is true for you. While this may work in the realm of ideas, it is less consistent in fields like engineering and math. When you pres 3+5 into a pocket calculator, it will always come up with the answer, 8. There is no relativity in that. Pearcey states that it is a lot like putting the world into a box and then lopping off whatever doesn’t fit inside the box. You have to ignore all the things that reduce your worldview to something that doesn’t make sense. Reductionism also inherently devalues humanity. In the realm of Darwinism (materialism, rationalism, determinism etc.), humanity is nothing less than a meat machine with no real purpose. Our choices and thoughts are all conditioned by our biology so that we are simply meat-computers. This does two things: 1) first it devalues humanity in the sense that your worldview has told you that we are simply acting on the basis of biology, so how does one define what is right and wrong? 2) it is reductionistic because humans have free will and the ability to make decisions that are outside of basic biology.3. Test the idol: does it contradict what we know about the world? I have alluded to this point already, but I will flesh out some other examples. Since postmodernism has been on my mind lately, I will use this example again. Postmodernism will tell us that there is no absolute truths, that truth is relative. But as we have seen, the fundamental flaw is that no one can feasibly live by this philosophy pragmatically without running into serious problems. If you believe that murder is relative (and to define murder, this is the killing in cold blood induced by anger, not justifiable killing such as in war time), you will go on a rampage, killing everyone you don’t like or who looks at you funny. The law will eventually catch up to and put you into prison. As seen in this example, it is not really practical to believe in relativism because it translates poorly to the world in which we live. I’ve already mentioned the example of math and engineering: you don’t see engineers at NASA saying that engineering is relative so it doesn’t matter how you put together a space craft. That would be foolish and greatly endanger the lives of the astronauts, who depend on engineers to do their job so they don’t get killed in the process.4. Test the idol: does it contradict itself? The relativist’s position really has no legs to stand on when we consider the statement that I’ve already made, “there are no truths except the truth that there are no truths.” This is, in itself, a contradiction. Rationalists commit the same error when they claim that there is no purpose to humanity. They have a bleak outlook on life which is counter to the full, rich lives that we experience. Marxism contradicts itself because it does not take into account the obvious human element of the fallen nature. Christianity is the only worldview that does not contradict itself and therefore is seen superior to all other worldviews.5. Replace the idol. Simply: share the Gospel. Once you’ve knocked down a worldview, you need a replacement for it. Pearcey, coming from an evangelical standpoint, points out that the Christianity is the only worldview that holistically has a coherent and non-reductionistic worldview. So much so, that other philosophies have to borrow from Christianity ideals of a high view of humanity etc. For example, the founders of this nation believed that all humans have dignity and are inundated with the fact that: “…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Notice that these rights come from a creator. Similarly, other philosophies have borrowed this idea. Postmodernists say that all truth is relative but cause a storm when the rights of the LGBT movement are squashed. How is that relativism? Christianity alone accounts for the dignity and high view of humanity that people desire.As you can see, this is great information. I want to end my review with a conversation that I had with a relativist a couple of months ago (one that I think would make Nancy Pearcey proud). I went back and re-read what I had written to him, and it struck me that I was already employing some of the tactics outlined in this book. To have an understanding of other philosophies is really an essential for Christians in a fallen world. I hope that you will pick up this book (and Total Truth) and become familiar with what you are up against as a Christian:“You’re reasoning in your outline contradicts what you have already said: that there are no moral absolutes. If there are no moral absolutes, how can you advocate that belief shouldn’t effect anyone around you ? Is that not an absolute ?My point in the slavery/fascism illustration is to say that there is evil in the world, and we should oppose evil because there are moral absolutes. If something is wrong, we should stand against it. According to the Bible, homosexuality is wrong and while I think it is equally wrong to hate those people, I do believe Christians should stand in opposition to fallen humanity.You say something very interesting too: “if anyone wants to actually see change in the human race you have to observe and accept the way it operates and act realistically.” We finally have come to common ground because I agree. But I think our common cause is again dependent upon worldview: for the Christian, understanding that man is inherently evil is acting realistically. The fact that God has put into us a conscious and the creation of the world, let alone his divinely inspired word (Romans 1:18-32), is enough to condemn us. Further we are tainted with a sin problem (Romans 3:23), making our attempts to get to a holy God futile. That is why God sent a mediator to earth, Jesus Christ, who was 100% God and 100% man (John 1:1-16); His manhood was representative of those He was on earth for and his Godhood was the only means by which one could be a suitable substitute for sin. Therefore, when he died on the cross it wasn’t for sin but the punishment for sin (Romans 3:24-26). The word “justification” describes this process in which one comes Into the courthouse and is condemned by his evil actions by the judge (God); but while he is guilty, Jesus Christ steps in to take the punishment. This is achieved “by faith” (Romans 4:3-6): faith that Jesus Christ was God, that he took upon himself the punishment for sin, and that you repent of your old way of living and conform to that of God’s. This is the Christian Gospel.My point being understanding the evil condition of man is much more realistic than a moral fortitude that changes with popular opinion (notice that homosexuality was much more of a non-issue 20 years ago with most people against it when compared to 2015)… My goal was not to convince you that the Bible is infallible, but to demonstrate that it makes logical, coherent sense without contradiction. I hope I’ve proved not that my view is the “right” way (although I believe it is), but that to be practical relativism is not a worldview without contradiction.”

It just now strikes me that for a long time I've been saying systematic theologies have been negligent in not including chapters on idol worship and spiritual warfare. This total subject that Nancy Pearcey's Finding Truth is about is that missing chapter (or loci) on idol worship. And we can see that it is a big subject indeed. It is the missing subject that explained all the philosophy that we knew intuitively was inane if not worthless. I.e. not worth the time, yet in that dismissiveness also being naive to the power ideas have, including bad ideas, to influence people unknowingly. Naive to it because we didn't see the religious aspect of it. The idol worship aspect of it.I think we have an unusual arrival in this book by Nancy Pearcey titled Finding Truth. It appears to me to be something of a consummating book. People in general, people who think about these things, have been picking up on the strongest ideas and concepts that exist in and around these worldview writings, and I've been sending some in email over recent time. Things like personalism/impersonalism, how subject and object are in sync in terms of human nature and the natural creation, the remarkable fact of the fine tuning of the universe, reductionism (I remember quoting the C. S. Lewis passage from that Louis Markhos book, C. S. Lewis, A to Z, or something like that, and how reductionism seemed a powerful, foundational element in seeing false worldviews and how they engage in reductionism) and several other things like that. She has not only gathered them all in this book, but she has brought it all together in a whole and with a purpose to create a kind of handbook on seeing faulty worldviews based on Romans 1 and 2. And to see how Christianity stands above it all and how all false worldviews have to borrow from Christianity to some extent to not give an immediate impression of comical self-refutation. It is a very powerful thing to see.What we see in this book is really not just arguments against the philosophies of the world over time but a rather *easy* refutation of such things. I.e. things that seemingly *had power* not long ago are now seen as rather easily refuted. I'm reminded of the biblical image of Satan at the end and how he presents a rather pathetic and weak impression. I think this aspect of easy refuting of once powerful things has to do with this era having reached a point where it is now possible to no longer be so easily deluded by such things.There's an uneasy reception of this book that I sense in some reviews by other writers and theologians, and the same with her Total Truth, that I think has this reason behind it: many people who are sympathetic to the subject matter and conclusions still feel threatened because their own body of work seems to be transcended by this totalizing approach of worldview which is now in a mature, or complete stage of presentation.No, Finding Truth is not Phenomenology of Spirit or Critique of Pure Reason (and no it wouldn't want to be), no it's not written like such books, yes it's written for a general audience, but it is the subject matter that is powerful. Simple, yet powerful. Because you say as you read it: "Is it this easy? Is it this easy to destroy things that have captured entire eras and movements in politics and arts and social behavior and on and on?" Yes it is. Once the delusion is broken.As the Satanic rolling thunder road show of never-dead Marxism and now ragingly alive Islamism is casting it's dark shadow over the entire world which signals a real end time environment I think we can also look for new developments that help God's remnant to get a clear view and to develop and be strong in all this lunacy, and what you see in this book is part of that. It, *as a culmination*, is something new on the scene.One important note: The section in the book titled *The Good, the True, and the Pagan* is important to keep in mind, because it would be a shallow Christian approach to deny any truth or anything of the good, the true, and the beautiful in these other worldviews. All truth is God's truth. The problem with the non-Christian worldviews is they attempt to stuff all and everything into their little box and whatever doesn't fit they deem to be unreal or unimportant or what have you. Among the other problems they have. (But it should also be said that these worldviews are usually born from a wicked rebellion from the very Truth (God) they purport to be seeking, so the Satanic element, even if it just comes across as silly or shallow, is preeminent.)She talks of plundering. The word was used by the ancient Christians. I think of what I use to tell myself: exploit everything, join nothing. I didn't know I was tapping into an approach that the ancient Christians had with the cultures they were coming out of and were surrounded by.

Este livro é excelente. A autora mostra como identificarmos os ídolos que distorcem a cosmovisão das pessoas e como devemos lidar com eles através do enfrentamento pela realidade e verdade. O mundo de hoje é totalmente povoado por ídolos e distorções (como o relativismo por exemplo) e isso tem como resultado todo o caos em que vivemos. Obra imperdível.

The book's very well written, very useful to appreciate the current ideological landscape for anyone really, not only ChristiansSurely she's skipping over some subtleties and nuances because she's aiming at delivering some synthesis of ideas and providing a useful mental framework to be applied to all sorts of ideological and metaphysical constructs.Like, for example, a very useful observation that our current metaphysical landscape is dominated by both materialism and post-modernism which paradoxically co-exist on all campuses dominating hard science faculties and the faculties of liberal arts respectivelyLikewise she's doing very useful historical parallels between idealism and post-modernism. Probably incorrect but thought-provoking anywayOn the critical side I'd say she's making too much use of self-defeating arguments because I don't believe they're either useful or even valid. Because anyone dealing with this sort of argument has to balance - on one side the claim that any proponent of any total claim is unable in principle to raise above the fray and see fuller picture ( not entirely crazy claim in my view unless for fully mechanistic,deterministic or otherwise solipsistic thinkers) AND on the other side the theistic claim that we have supernatural knowledge because it was delivered to us by supernatural God very long time ago in an obscure place and in obscure words.But on the whole I found it very useful read

Very interesting and informative.

This book is fantastic, I would recommend it for everyone. It is a must read for all christians! God bless sister Nancy. I praise God for her life and work.

I was introduced to Nancy Pearcey by a cover article about the new generation of Christian apologists. As a result I purchased this book as an Audible audio book to listen to on long drives. I enjoyed what I was hearing so much I purchased the physical book from a local bookstore. Now I own the eBook from Amazon. I heartily recommend it to anyone wanting an understanding of the reason why the Christian worldview is the only one that is logical and consistent with the world we live in. I love the way she teaches in a methodical and building manner which leaves you much more capable of sensing "God substitutes" in our thinking. While this book will challenge your thinking and introduce you to philosophers and ideas you may not have heard of before it's not hard to understand. If you're attending university and struggling to defend your Christian faith p,ease read this book and learn from it.