Although the postmodern constituency would have us do away with the modern world view, Western civilization still has the characteristics of modernity. Brian J. Walsh and J. Richard Middleton argue for the case that Western civilization serves three dominant idols which serve to make sense of modernity by orienting the dominant culture around a common set of goals. The three idols, or gods of our age, Walsh and Middleton propose are 1) scientism 2) technicism, and 3) economism.

Scientism

Scientism is the ability to understand and control nature. The modern world view believes human reason, especially operating within the scientific method, can achieve exhaustive knowledge. It is very much a faith in science as a tool of autonomous reason over against faith in a sovereign God. As Francis Bacon said “knowledge is power.”

…from the beginning of the modern era until today, the conscious purpose of science has been the utilitarian manipulation of the world-machine for human ends. By continuously applying science, the modern creed confesses, we progress steadily toward an earthly utopia, a millennial age of our own making.¹

Technicism

Technicism very much builds upon the foundation scientism creates. Technicism is the “formative, technological mastery of nature… It translates scientific discovery into human power.”² This idol is very much present in our society. In fact, we label other countries according to their level of technological advancement (i.e. “third world”, etc.). Technicism marks a shift from the hope of technological advancement to a belief in its inevitability. Progress is guaranteed and autonomous reason operates through scientism to produce technology used to master our environment.

While scientism holds out the promise of omniscience, technicism offers us omnipotence. Modern humanity has come to believe in the unlimited (and thus unnormed) advance of science and technology, regardless of the consequences - social, environmental or psychological. We have come to believe that if it can be known, it must be known; and if it can be made, it must be made.³

Economism

The third god of this age proposed by Walsh and Middleton is economism. Simply put, economism is the use of technology for profit maximization. To the corporation, the stock price is never high enough. There is no level that is satisfactory. It is an unending quest for wealth that never satisfies.

We believe in the promise of the golden god, and it has driven us to servile devotion because its promise is greatest of all. While scientism offered omniscience and technicism provided omnipotence, the god of economism (the absolutization of mankind’s good ability to make economic choices) extends to all who listen the breathtaking promise of full and glorious material prosperity - nothing short of secular salvation. “Consume and see that this god is good.”⁴

1. Walsh, Brian J. and J. Richard Middleton, The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1984), 133.↩
2. Ibid., 133.↩
3. Ibid., 135. Emphasis original.↩
4. Ibid., 138. Emphasis original.↩