# How should Christians engage secular thought?

Document: study/secular

Honour image-bearers while making the gospel's claim clear.

Topic: worldviews
Keywords: atheism, agnostic, humanism, meaning, reason

## Starting answer

<!-- block: answer -->
Listen accurately and speak honestly. People outside the church remain image-bearers, with dignity and moral accountability, while sharing humanity's need for Christ. Secular humanism affirms ethics, reason and human flourishing without religious belief. We can recognise that stated concern without treating it as saving righteousness or accepting its account of reality.

Basis: Genesis 9:6; Romans 3:9-24; [R. C. Sproul · Ligonier Ministries — God's image after the fall](https://learn.ligonier.org/qas/does-the-doctrine-of-total-depravity-teach-that-we-have-lost-the-image-of-god); [Humanists International · 2022 — Declaration of Modern Humanism](https://humanists.international/policy/declaration-of-modern-humanism/)

## Reasoning 1

<!-- block: reason-1 -->
God's revelation in creation addresses everyone, and sinful humanity suppresses it.

Basis: Romans 1:18-23

## Reasoning 2

<!-- block: reason-2 -->
Conscience bears witness to accountability beyond those who possess the written law.

Basis: Romans 2:14-16

## Reasoning 3

<!-- block: reason-3 -->
The gospel calls all people to repentance and announces Christ's resurrection and coming judgment.

Basis: Acts 17:30-31

## Conclusion

<!-- block: conclusion -->
Christian witness joins respect for the person with a clear account of creation, sin, grace and the risen Christ.

Basis: Acts 17:24-31; 1 Peter 3:15-16

## Do not mistake dignity for innocence

<!-- block: section-1 -->
The continuing image of God explains why a non-Christian neighbour must be treated with honour. Common grace helps explain useful and kind conduct. Neither teaching cancels Paul's universal verdict of sin or the need for Christ's righteousness.

Basis: James 3:9; Romans 3:23-24; [Ligonier Ministries · theological guide — Common and saving grace](https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/common-grace)

## Let a position speak for itself

<!-- block: section-2 -->
The Humanists International declaration is one organisation's account, not the creed of every nonreligious person. Use its sections on ethics, rational inquiry and fulfilment to identify actual claims; ask your neighbour which they share.

Basis: [Humanists International · 2022 — Ethical, rational and fulfilling lives](https://humanists.international/policy/declaration-of-modern-humanism/); Proverbs 18:13

## Objection

Is religion necessary for someone to behave kindly?

## Reply

<!-- block: reply -->
Professed belief is not required for outward kindness. But no one lives independently of the God who gives life, and kindness does not justify a sinner. The deeper Christian claim concerns our dependence, guilt and need for grace.

Basis: Luke 6:32-33; Acts 17:25; Romans 3:20-24; [Westminster Assembly · OPC text — 16.7](https://opc.org/wcf.html)

## Scope and limits

<!-- block: limit -->
Do not assume a person's whole philosophy from the label atheist, agnostic or humanist. Hearing their account first is a matter of truthfulness and neighbour-love.

Basis: Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19

## Conversation starter · editorial application

<!-- block: conversation -->
How do you understand human dignity and moral responsibility, and where does your account place Jesus?

Basis: Acts 17:22-31

## Read in Scripture

- Acts 17:24-31: Paul speaks of creation, repentance and resurrection
- Romans 2:14-16: Conscience and accountability

Related studies: morality, why-anything, conversation

## Sources and their limits

### Common Grace [common-grace]

Ligonier Ministries · theological guide · Reformed exposition

[Read source](https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/common-grace)

Used for providential kindness, the restraint of evil and civic virtue. Common grace must be distinguished from the regenerating grace that brings sinners to faith.

### Declaration of Modern Humanism [humanism]

Humanists International · 2022 · Primary record · not a teaching authority

[Read source](https://humanists.international/policy/declaration-of-modern-humanism/)

An organization's own account of humanist ethics, reason and meaning. It does not speak for every atheist or secular person.

### Have we lost the image of God? [sproul-image]

R. C. Sproul · Ligonier Ministries · Reformed exposition

[Read source](https://learn.ligonier.org/qas/does-the-doctrine-of-total-depravity-teach-that-we-have-lost-the-image-of-god)

Explains the continuing image of God after the fall and the difference between total and utter depravity. Image-bearing does not mean innocence or saving righteousness.

### Westminster Confession of Faith [wcf]

Westminster Assembly · OPC text · Reformed confession

[Read source](https://opc.org/wcf.html)

Our subordinate doctrinal standard for these guides. Citations specify chapter and paragraph. Scripture judges the confession itself (1.10); the confession does not replace Scripture.

## Connected documents

- [editorial/library](editorial-library.md)
- [source/common-grace](source-common-grace.md)
- [source/humanism](source-humanism.md)
- [source/sproul-image](source-sproul-image.md)
- [source/wcf](source-wcf.md)
- [study/conversation](study-conversation.md)
- [study/morality](study-morality.md)
- [study/why-anything](study-why-anything.md)
- [topic/worldviews](topic-worldviews.md)