Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 01:1 (Mar 1958)
Article: Basic Assumptions
Author: Warren Vanhetloo

CenQ 1:1 (March 1958) p. 23

Basic Assumptions

Warren Vanhetloo

Dean of Central C. B. Seminary

There are certain basic assumptions according to which decisions are made. Recognizing this, we must endeavor to instill the basic aims of life set forth in Scripture, and we must attack unworthy aims in the world today as well as the everyday acts which result from these attitudes.

It would be impossible to try to enumerate all the basic aims evident round about us. We can to some extent identify them, and we can be aware that certain ones are especially prominent in our day.

America is noted for putting the “it works” philosophy in the forefront. If it works it is thereby good. If it works better than something else, it must therefore be better than the other. If there are no results, the means is automatically judged wrong. If we get larger crowds by including liberals, that is reason enough. If using Hollywood entertainers leads to souls being saved, the end justifies the means. Or does it?

Probably the most weighty assumption in our generation is that items of prosperity are all-important. We are well off when we have things. Decisions of government are to be made on the basis of material prosperity. A successful church is one with large physical assets. We are blessed of the Lord when we enjoy prosperity in this world. Or are we?

A basic assumption becoming prominent today, especially among our young people, is popularly explained, “Why, everybody does it,” and might be called the belief that conformity to, and thus acceptance in the group, is to be achieved at all costs. Thus it is “smart” to use a particular type of cigarette. It is out of the question to wear what nobody else is wearing, especially if it is last year’s style. It is bad to be individualistic; we must all work as a team, and above all get along with everybody. Church unity at any price is the cry of the day.

Morals are determined accordingly. Right and wrong is not absolute; it is only what the group believes. Certain things were wrong in Puritan times because they believed them to be wrong, but those things are not wrong today because society no longer considers them wrong. Not so. Jesus Christ (the Truth, John 14:16) is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). He changes not, nor does His word, nor His evaluation of right and wrong.

We must guard against the assumption that current practices are correct, that the majority is right, that the largest or the newest is the best. These are not proper criteria of judgment.

Another rather prominent concept held today is that all is well i...