Apologetics

Transcendence and the Political Options

Posted on by Dan Dodds

IdolsforDestructionIn his perhaps underappreciated book, Idols for Destruction, Herbert Schlossberg wrote the following:

“One of the chief errors in Ayn Rand’s philosophy is her idea that the altruism of social democracy is the opposite of individualistic egoism. Seeing the destruction wrought by the former, she argues for the latter. But collectivism and egoism are both derived from immanence, both can live only when the limitations of transcendent law are overthrown, both are symptoms of the same disease. If it is lawful for the individual to do as he pleases, why should it not be lawful for the commissar to do as he pleases. If there is nothing to restrain the one lawfully, then there is nothing to restrain the other.”

In this (specific) sense, it doesn’t really matter whether you vote conservative or liberal, republican or democrat. If any economic or political philosophy is based in immanence (read: there is no ultimate tie to a personal, transcendent God) then both end up at the same place. As Greg Bahnsen once put it, “Abandoning one so as to embrace the other is like divorcing a woman because she is ugly and then marrying her twin sister.” The Scriptures teach, “Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint” (Proverbs 29:18). Dostoevsky said it this way: “If there is no God, all things are permissible.” Amen.

For a great talk on this see Greg Bahnsen’s lecture at Hillsdale College where he spoke on Libertarianism. It can be purchased here: Libertarianism vs. Christianity

 

Dan Dodds
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Dan Dodds
Dan is a native of Detroit, Michigan; a graduate of Hillsdale College in Michigan and Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Dan has worked in the financial area as a CPA and controller as well as in international business and sales. In 1995 Dan entered into the ministry in a Florida church as Sr. High and Singles Pastor. In 2001 he was brought on staff at Woodruff Road. Dan and his wife Christy have two daughters, Anna and Jenna and two sons, Will and Wyatt.