By Any Other Name
Exposing the Deception, Mythology, and Tragedy of Secularism
Foreword by Jon A. Weatherly
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
Have you ever wondered . . .
. . . what a worldview is, and why it's so important?
. . . how liberal and conservative Christians both claim the Bible as their foundation?
. . . why different worldviews attempt to solve the same problems in different ways?
. . . how two people who formally espouse different worldviews can agree on so many issues?
. . . why secularism is just as "religious" as Christianity?
. . . why secularism has its own mythology?
. . . why secularists want to silence Christianity in America's legislatures, courts, schools and churches?
. . . why education is nearly always offered as a solution to society's ills (and why it won't work)?
. . . how to formulate positions on contemporary issues not directly mentioned in the Bible?
. . . why Christians are often ineffective at influencing culture?
Abernathy answers these questions (and many more) by examining the relationship between ideas and their real-world consequences. This foundational relationship is key to understanding secularism, to understanding why its attempts to solve society's problems produce disastrous real-world consequences, and how its ideas infiltrate the biblical principles of even the most committed Christians.
Abernathy sifts through the deceptive language of secular orthodoxy and shows how secularism "by any other name" still has tragic real-world consequences. Ideologies such as humanism, postmodernism, and liberal Christianity are exposed as repackaged havens of a failed worldview. Seemingly well-intentioned notions such as "progressive education," pacifist foreign policy, "tolerance," and wealth redistribution are debunked as deceptive myths peddled by an impoverished faith. By Any Other Name shatters the secular barrier erected to exclude Christianity from the marketplace of ideas and lays the groundwork for engaging a culture contaminated by secular mythology.
James Abernathy graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a BA in comparative religion and philosophy and received his MA in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He also received his Juris Doctor from Regent School of Law. James has designed and taught courses on worldview, apologetics, and ethics at Cincinnati Christian University, at The Potter's School (a homeschool co-op program), and in his local church.
"I heartily recommend that every Christian read this work by my friend, James Abernathy. It is a challenging and inspirational wake-up call for everyone, especially for those who think that Christians have no business trying to apply Biblical teaching to politics and government. I expect to hear a lot more from Brother Abernathy in the years to come."
--Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology, Cincinnati Christian University
"Think of it as two parts Francis Schaeffer, one part C. S. Lewis, and one part William F. Buckley . . . Abernathy writes with muscle. His prose is muscular, and so is his logic. This book, thick with substantial philosophical argumentation and historical analysis, does plenty of heavy lifting. It is informed both broadly and deeply, at once rigorously objective and deeply personal. Those who know Abernathy will hear his distinctive voice, articulating his keen intellect, in every sentence. . . Let the clash of ideas continue, and may the best idea win."
--Dr. Jon Weatherly, Professor of New Testament and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Cincinnati Christian University (taken from the foreword)
"We have been called to love the Lord our God with all of our mind. By Any Other Name helps us better understand, intellectually, how we can love the Lord our God and how this then impacts how we live for our Lord in our messed up world. James Abernathy has clearly, carefully, and with humor, written to provide Christ-followers with intellectual stimulus for comparing our Biblical worldview with the prevailing worldview. The contrast of the consequences of these worldviews allows us to better understand our world and reach out to it."
--Debbie MacCullough, Assistant Professor of Education, Philadelphia Biblical University
"Today a lot of spiritual battles are hidden in politics and/or theology. Abernathy gives us the necessary information to appropriately resist the secular infiltration that is occurring in our society at large. This book provides vital information and equips Christians with necessary strategies to be successful in our battle against secularism in America today."
--Nathan Herzog, Assistant Professor of Education, William Jessup University
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