Contemporary Humanism and the Moral Life

Abstract

Wayne H. Borgwardt’s essay critically examines the influence of contemporary secular humanism on moral education and societal values. Delivered to the Metro-South Pastoral Conference in 1987, the paper outlines key tenets of humanism—man-centered ethics, reliance on reason, and moral relativism—and contrasts them with Christian morality rooted in Scripture. Borgwardt explores psychological movements such as Freudianism, behaviorism, and humanistic psychology, highlighting their impact on moral development theories and educational practices like values clarification. He critiques the Moral Majority’s response to secular humanism, noting both its valid concerns and rhetorical excesses. Borgwardt advocates for a Christ-centered approach to morality, emphasizing justification, faith, and the transformative power of the gospel. He encourages Christian leaders to engage thoughtfully with secular methodologies, using them cautiously and only when aligned with biblical principles. The essay concludes with a call for Christian modeling and leadership in moral training, grounded in law and gospel. Abstract generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).