Theological Altruism

I got in trouble once (once?) for telling someone that the gospel was not a social or moral message.

Altruism is a philosophy that is deeply ingrained into the fabric of cultural socialism, with anti-rationalism as its defining and strongest element within its structure. Its adherents hate rational thought because rationality, based upon moral absolutes, leads to selfishness...or so it is thought in the circles of those who lean in the direction of socialistic culture being forced upon the West.

It's one thing to discuss social altruism as it teaches that we must put the interests of others above our own, thus sacrificing our values and resources for the common good of others. On the surface, this sounds very biblical and right, even though such principles are detrimental to both the individual and to any society.

"The man who attempts to live for others is a dependent. He is a parasite in motive and makes parasites of those he serves. The relationship produces nothing but mutual corruption..” Ayn Rand

There is an element of altruism within the construct of some modern evangelicalism and/or reformism what I've come to call "theological altruism." The culprit element is anti-rationalism, as is seen within cultural altruism. Rationalism, among those caught up in theological altruism, in order to avoid the literal interpretation model as the pre-requisite, vomit out all manner of spiritual sounding jargon in order to avoid the strength of the literal that is stacked up against them. Anything that happens to not align with what they want to believe about a topic, they routinely will cast the text off into the realm of allegory, keeping it out there beyond arm's length so that it doesn't endanger their pet doctrines they've been taught by their institutional pastors and/or favorite online, religious personality, or system of thought, that they have chosen to follow.

What are your experiences along this line?

MM

MM

Ayn Rand may have had some commendable ideas regarding the world and its affairs, but she's not somebody I'd look to for teachings on the word of God

IOW, the only commendable ideas would be those that align with/do not contradict GW.

This Lady's view that Altruism is wrong or evil I say comes straight from Satan and His Church ------she is an Anti-Christ---and is peddling very dangerous Philosophy and is someone that all Christians should rebuke -----

I agree with AI on this --

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Yes, Ayn Rand's philosophy is considered to have influenced LaVeyan Satanism, which is a religious, ideological, and philosophical belief system based on Satan:

• Sociologist of religion James R. Lewis: Described LaVeyan Satanism as "a blend of Epicureanism and Ayn Rand's philosophy"
• Historian of religion Mattias Gardell: Described LaVeyan Satanism as "a rational ideology of egoistic hedonism and self-preservation"
• Nevill Drury: Characterized LaVeyan Satanism as "a religion of self-indulgence"

Interesting read

Ayn Rand and Satanism
https://progressivechristianity.org/resource/ayn-rand-and-satanism/

Ayn Rand was bold when she spoke about this phenomenon:

Altruism Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Altruism Has Roots in Latin and French

Altruism refers to a quality possessed by people whose focus is on something other than themselves, and its root reveals the object of those generous tendencies. Altruism derives from the French word autrui, meaning "other people." Autrui, in turn, developed from the Old French term autre, which means "other" and which itself comes from Latin alter, also meaning "other." That Latin source eventually caused a curious thing to happen. Under the influence of alter, the French autrui gave rise to the altrui- of both the French altruisme and the English altruism. The English term has been in service since at least the mid-1800s.

ALTRUISM | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Altruism is the attitude of caring about others and doing acts that help them, even if it is not good for yourself. Learn more about the meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and usage of altruism with …

Bible Verses About Altruism

Luke 6:35 - But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
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Philippians 2:4 - Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Luke 6:35 - But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

John 15:12-14 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (Read More...)

Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

2 Peter 1:5-7 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (Read More...)

1 Thessalonians 5:15 - See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Ephesians 4:29-32 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Read More...)

Proverbs 19:17 - He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 - Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (Read More...)

Galatians 5:14 - For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Altruism is a philosophy that is deeply ingrained into the fabric of cultural socialism, with anti-rationalism as its defining and strongest element within its structure. Its adherents hate rational thought because rationality, based upon moral absolutes, leads to selfishness...or so it is thought in the circles of those who lean in the direction of socialistic culture being forced upon the West.

It's one thing to discuss social altruism as it teaches that we must put the interests of others above our own, thus sacrificing our values and resources for the common good of others. On the surface, this sounds very biblical and right, even though such principles are detrimental to both the individual and to any society.

"The man who attempts to live for others is a dependent. He is a parasite in motive and makes parasites of those he serves. The relationship produces nothing but mutual corruption..” Ayn Rand

There is an element of altruism within the construct of some modern evangelicalism and/or reformism what I've come to call "theological altruism." The culprit element is anti-rationalism, as is seen within cultural altruism. Rationalism, among those caught up in theological altruism, in order to avoid the literal interpretation model as the pre-requisite, vomit out all manner of spiritual sounding jargon in order to avoid the strength of the literal that is stacked up against them. Anything that happens to not align with what they want to believe about a topic, they routinely will cast the text off into the realm of allegory, keeping it out there beyond arm's length so that it doesn't endanger their pet doctrines they've been taught by their institutional pastors and/or favorite online, religious personality, or system of thought, that they have chosen to follow.

What are your experiences along this line?

MM

Altruism is a philosophy that is deeply ingrained into the fabric of cultural socialism, with anti-rationalism as its defining and strongest element within its structure. Its adherents hate rational thought because rationality, based upon moral absolutes, leads to selfishness...or so it is thought in the circles of those who lean in the direction of socialistic culture being forced upon the West.

It's one thing to discuss social altruism as it teaches that we must put the interests of others above our own, thus sacrificing our values and resources for the common good of others. On the surface, this sounds very biblical and right, even though such principles are detrimental to both the individual and to any society.

"The man who attempts to live for others is a dependent. He is a parasite in motive and makes parasites of those he serves. The relationship produces nothing but mutual corruption..” Ayn Rand

There is an element of altruism within the construct of some modern evangelicalism and/or reformism what I've come to call "theological altruism." The culprit element is anti-rationalism, as is seen within cultural altruism. Rationalism, among those caught up in theological altruism, in order to avoid the literal interpretation model as the pre-requisite, vomit out all manner of spiritual sounding jargon in order to avoid the strength of the literal that is stacked up against them. Anything that happens to not align with what they want to believe about a topic, they routinely will cast the text off into the realm of allegory, keeping it out there beyond arm's length so that it doesn't endanger their pet doctrines they've been taught by their institutional pastors and/or favorite online, religious personality, or system of thought, that they have chosen to follow.

What are your experiences along this line?

MM