Neo-Paganism: Life Without the Emmanuel Factor

In this sermon given at the 1987 Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference, Henry reiterates this biblical book’s injunction that there is nothing new under the sun. Beginning with feigned shock at a thoroughly modern, nihilistic book, Dr. Henry goes on to show that the ancient words of “The Preacher” finds resonance with our contemporary world in unexpected yet undeniable ways. The pagan worldview so masterfully propounded in parts of Ecclesiastes is rising again as the remnants of a Christian worldview disappear into echoes. In this world of ancient pagan memory and modern and postmodern reality, we live lives ruled by what Henry calls “The doctrine of eternal recurrence,” where humans are nothing more than animals in the futility of their lives, human morality is fully subjective, and human labor has no purpose beyond pleasure and play. As he says at one point, “Here we learn that life turns in upon itself. That there is no permanent meaning to the cosmos, no permanent meaning to human existence. Hear these words.” Fortunately, just as with Ecclesiastes itself, Dr. Henry does not leave us without hope. Finding our meaning as humans in our own abilities, pleasures, and dreams will leave us in despair of what will come. But living our lives seeking spiritual success through the grace of God gives a hope for the future which finite lives cannot curtail.