Vol. 0 - No. 0 

December, 1981

 The Book Review, as a regular installment in this paper, is a valuable addition to its format. There are a number of reasons why this is so. First, the high and rising cost of books creates the need to be able to ascertain the usefulness, and therefore, the relative worth of an individual volume. Second, most individuals have no ready access to volumes, such as we  will be reviewing, prior to  purchase. Third, we all have been in the regrettable position of having purchased something only to find that we have wasted our money. These reasons are but a few, but are enough to justify an effort to give the public a chance to know something about a book before a purchase is made. Couple with these the fact that titles and dust covers are often inaccurate and misleading, and you have ample justification for offering this service.

 The subject material and type of books that will be reviewed will vary greatly in the religious and semireligious fields. Study helps, such as Bible atlases, dictionaries, lexicons, commentaries, etc., and subject studies, such as marriage, divorce, and remarriage, Premillennialism, Calvinism, Humanism, etc., will be reviewed. Hopefully, this will help the individual to obtain a general and workable home library, or, at least, acquaint him with volumes about areas of particular interest. On occasion, we will review more than one volume on related subjects per issue. Your comments and requests are solicited.

 THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND, Tim LaHaye, Fleming H. Revell Co., Old Tappan, New Jersey, 1980. This book, written by Tim LaHaye, who is a Baptist, is one of the more readable works on the subject of Secular Humanism. It is well documented and illustrated, quoting profusely from the humanists themselves. Mr. LaHaye states in the introduction that "This is not a book of gloom, doom, and despair, but a clarion call to 'saltless' Christians..." Written in 1980, the book was put forth, it seems, with a view toward influencing Christians to engage in a moral awakening to be evidenced in the then upcoming national elections.

 The book begins with an explanation and illustrations of the functions, nature, and abilities of the human brain or "mind." The fact that our minds and our philosophies of life are the result of the information and impressions stored over the years of our lives. The skyrocketing crime rate, rebellion to man and God, and the declining morality that characterizes the world in which we live (and especially America), is laid directly at the feet of Secular Humanism.

 The history of humanism as a fundamental philosophy of life from prior to the first century until now is adequately presented. Mr. LaHaye is especially careful to explain the humanist takeover in our country in education, politics, and the media. With the vast majority of educational institutions and the media (magazines, television, movies, newspapers, etc.) committed to humanism, it is no wonder that the "Battle For The Mind" has seemed to be a losing one. The appeal of humanism seems strongest in the area of our egocentricity and that is why the "liberation" theme is found throughout its writings. Mr. LaHaye aptly points out the relative ease with which one becomes a practical humanist, if not a militant one.

 The Battle For The Mind is a well written expose' of the false promises and inevitable results of secular humanism. The chaos and anarchy of a fully humanistic society is warned against. The "Five Basic Tenets of Humanism" are Atheism, Evolution, Amorality, Autonomous Man, and a One World Socialist View. Mr. LaHaye points this out clearly from the writings of humanists. Several organizations, societies, and individuals are named with evidence that they are humanisticly oriented and committed to the furtherance of humanism. LaHaye further points out the fact that humanism is a religion by the humanists' own statement and Supreme Court designation, and must be accepted by faith. He also points out the frightening militancy with which the humanists engage in missionary efforts. The humanist is after your child and mine, the battle centering in the minds of the innocent.

Mr. LaHaye is a sectarian and evidences in this bock his doctrinal error, especially Premillennialism. I believe, however, that his handling of the exposure of humanism makes the book well worth the money and an asset to one's library. The book is also a good source to learn something about "The Moral Majority."