To Do Good is Our Religion - I Think I’m Good. I Do Good. By All Reason, That Means I Am Good. Right?
From Emperors to Popes continued...
Today’s Verse and Thought
“just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works…”(Romans 4:6).
“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” Thomas Paine, The American Crisis (1776–1783)
Men “Do Good” in Order to “Become Good”
The Enlightenment - The Age of Reason - was a monumental turning point in all of human history. It’s important that we grasp just how significant this time was. Partly because it affects the way humanity sought to understand the world from about the 1600s on, and also, how it affected the life of those coming to America. The Age of Reason was foundational to establishing United States policies, culture, and government.
Ancient Greek philosophers significantly influenced the birth of the Enlightenment, especially in terms of their ideas about reason, democracy, and knowledge which the Greeks and Romans historically embraced, and preserved, as part of their belief system. When the Pope of the Catholic Church created the Holy See of Rome, the humanist philosophy was already deeply embedded into the culture and political structure, and therefore influenced the Church.
But the ancient Greeks and Romans, despite exploring and embracing the abilities of man’s intellect, they still held to the foundation of a supernatural worldview. Both cultures were filled with a pantheon of gods and demi-gods that had grown out of the mythologies created from the activities of the Fallen Angels, Nephilim, and their offspring in the ancient world.
The pantheon of Greek and Roman gods, such as Zeus, Hera, and Apollo, are central to the mythologies of these cultures. Their deities were anthropomorphic and had complex relationships with humans and each other. In their stories, these supernatural beings controlled all the natural elements and interacted with the human world. They were reported to “do good” to humans as long as they worshipped and sacrificed to them, and punished those who didn’t.
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written,You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ “(Matthew 4:8-10).
Figures like Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology) and Perseus are considered demi-gods, the “mighty men” or “heroes” of old. They were usually the offspring of a “god” and a human woman (known as Nephilim in Scripture), possessing extraordinary abilities or attributes. Their stories often involved quests, battles with monsters, and interactions with other gods.
“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.”(Genesis 6:4).
Enter The Age of Reason
No longer was the world governed by the Supernatural. No longer were all humans subjected to the supposed whims of these pantheon of unseen gods. No longer would humanity - as a whole - ascribe all natural events to the hand of the gods, or seek favor or redemption from them.
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves…”(Romans 1:22-24).
René Descartes (1596–1650) who was regarded as a precursor to the Enlightenment emphasized using reason and his methodological skepticism laid the groundwork for Enlightenment thinking.
Descartes famous saying, "Cogito, ergo sum” - "I think, therefore I am” - underscored the importance of individual reason and the absolute supreme status of man.
The Enlightenment would become the age of men - to do good is my religion
This would be the turning point when humans, by our own reasoning, would be able to think our way to a state of “goodness.” And the outcome of the enlightened man could lead to a utopia in this new world of America.
A man named Thomas Paine was on the forefront of this new way of thinking.
To be continued…
…and every spirit that does not confess [openly declare] Jesus [as Lord and divine Son of the Living God] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist [the adversary of Messiah], which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”(1 John 4:3).
Today’s Question
Verses to Explore
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28).
“Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:15-16).
“And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish”(Deuteronomy 8:19).
“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”(1 John 2:22).
Today’s Prayer
Father today so many people are crying out for equality, social justice, and equal outcomes. So many think that the road to enlightenment means being a good person. Apart from you there isn’t any “good.” Your people should be the shining examples of justice, goodness, and fairness in all we do, but our enemy has twisted the meanings and naive people are being led astray by clever sounding interpretations. I pray for discernment. Help your people to take a step back and consider your ways first. I know that if we try to think our way through things, apart from your truth, we will be led down a deceptive path that leads to destruction. So many people are on this road and they think they are OK. Give each of us a burden for those who are perishing. Give us a heart to share your truth with family who don’t believe, with friends and neighbors, and even strangers. We pray for these opportunities to share our faith and we pray that you prepare hearts to hear the truth. Show us your truth. All glory and honor are yours alone. Amen.❤️
The thirteen American Colonies in 1775 (source).