Return to Hedonism

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col. 2:8, NASB). My wife and I visited our daughter, Abra, in Bloomington, Illinois for Thanksgiving. Vicki and her husband Manny who owns the academy where Abra works as a dance instructor invites us for breakfast Saturday morning before we get on the road home to Nashville, Tennessee. During our conversation Vicki states that those of the millennial generation are putting their feelings above truth. Their decision making and behavior is guided by their feeling more than truth. I immediately think about the philosophy of “hedonism.’ I will explain this philosophy more fully later. During the meal Vicki shares with me an article that she had copied off the internet. The title of the article is “Post-Truth, the Word of the Year: Feelings Have Replaced Facts” by John Stonestreet for Breakpoint Commentaries. In the article Stonestreet states that Oxford Dictionaries has released its 2016 word of the year: “Post-Truth,” which they define as ‘relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinions than appeals to emotion and personal belief. Stonestreet further states that “a post-truth culture dominates Facebook and Twitter feeds. Just look at the epidemic of fake news that marred this election. Even Christians too often fall for completely fabricated headlines and hoaxes, largely because they validate our feelings.” So, why did the word post-truth remind me of hedonism? Hedonism, from the Greek word “hedone” is the doctrine that holds that the pursuit of pleasure without pain is the motivator of our behavior, and pleasure is the most intrinsic good in life. In the New Testament the words “carnal,” “flesh,” and “sinful desires” are often used to describe behavior that is motivated by the desire for pleasure. The Roman-Greek culture in those days practice behaviors that satisfy their desire for fulfillment through pleasure. Paul, Peter, James, and John described these behaviors as being disobedient and alienated from God. As you can see there is a close similarity between the ideas of post-truth and hedonism. The concern of the New Testament writers and Christians today is that the culture is downgrading truth and exalting feelings. Christians are called to live a life that reflects Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. In fact, without truth we live in bondage and Jesus tells us that the truth will make us free (John 8:32). History teaches us that the pursuit of pleasure and the failure to make decisions based on truth leads to the decline and downfall of a culture. The great empires of Babylon and Rome decline when the rulers become obsessed with pleasure. They fail to recognize and accept the truth about the decline in their strength. They come to believe that their power will last forever. For example Daniel 5 records that the king, Belshazzar, fails to humble himself before God even though he is aware of how God had dealt with his father Nebuchadnezzar. When we read this chapter we learn that the king puts pleasure above truth. He holds a feast and during the feast words are seen written on the wall. Daniel interprets the writing and tells the king that he is about to lose his kingdom. Immediately thereafter the king is slain and the Medes under Darius overthrows his kingdom (Dan. 5:30-31). The history of the United States of America tells us that this union though not perfect was formed by men and women who sought truth. These are not people basking in pleasure. The truth that they know motivates them to seek their freedom. They fight and die to be free from England because they hold to the truth that all men are created by God with the right to be free. History also teaches us that great advances are made when people are committed to the truth; even at the cost of sacrificing pleasure. The rights and opportunities that have been gained by African Americans come from the efforts of men and women who stand for truth. Marin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Diane Nash, and many other civil rights workers are put in jail. Some are beaten, and killed. They have fire hoses spray their waters upon them and dogs are turned lose upon them. In his letter to the Colossians the apostle Paul warns the church not to become victims of worldly philosophies. He says, “Beware least any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8, KJV). Paul writes this letter to the church when false teachers are trying to bring Greek and Roman philosophies into the church. These philosophies are based on the traditions of men that have been held throughout human history. When I Goggled the word hedonism I discovered that it is a philosophy that has been around at least since the time of the Sumerians. Although there have been variations in the philosophy in different cultures they all hold in common the idea that behavior is to be motivated by what brings about pleasure. On the other hand Paul states, that we are to be motivated by truth and love. He says, “Now I rejoice (take pleasure) in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Col. 1:24). In writing to the Ephesians Paul says, “Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory” (Eph. 3:13, NASB). Paul warns against seeking to live by what brings pleasure. He says, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience” (Col. 3:5-6, NASB). Christians should know that seeking pleasure is a trait of men who are disconnected to God. Paul calls this idolatry because when a person lives by pleasure he or she is making themselves to be their god. Finally, Jesus does not come to seek His own pleasure. Rather, He comes to do the will of the Father. This means suffering the agonizing death on the cross for the forgiveness of sin and our reconciliation to God. Jesus lives and dies by this truth and God has exalts Him and gives Him a name above every name. Every knee will bow and confess that He is Lord. So, what is our duty? Paul gives us the answer. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Eph. 5:1-2). We are to be careful not to be deceived by the philosophies of the world. Do not return to hedonism. Let us live by the truth because the truth will make you free.