From 8/6/17- Shared by Kimmy Hoffman Brown
How much do you know?
HEDONISM VERSUS CHRISTIANITY
Hedonism has continued as a significant philosophy, and more important, as a pattern of life, up to this day. One thing should be noted here: hedonism is a secular philosophy, and it is usually found in the company of humanistic and materialistic interpretations of life. It would be difficult for us to find a way of life more antithetic to Christianity than this. Hedonism is the philosophy of selfishness. It is man serving himself. It is the ego enthroned and at times deified.
Christianity is just the opposite. The principle of Christianity is love or, as Paul Ramsey phrases it, “obedient love.”3 This love is an uncalculating, outgoing spirit of loving concern which finds expression in deeds of service without limit. It is not love given for the sake of receiving love or other benefits in return. It is as unselfish as hedonism is selfish. Jesus taught that the first duty of man is to love God and the second duty is to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. Self-centered hedonism is squarely opposed to this Christian agape.