Deism is the belief that God created the universe but does not actively intervene in the world. Deists believe that God exists but maintains a hands-off approach to human affairs and the laws of nature. Here is an overview of deism from a biblical perspective:
Basic Tenets of Deism
Deists reject revealed religion and miracles. They do not believe that God directly communicates with or intervenes on behalf of humankind. Instead, deists believe that God created the universe with natural laws that govern the world. After setting these laws in motion, God does not suspend or alter them. Deists view God as a passive, distant creator who does not respond to human prayers or needs.
Deists emphasize reason, logic and observation of the natural world over faith or divine revelation. They reject the authority and inspiration of the Bible. Deists do not believe that the Bible is the revealed word of God or that biblical miracles actually occurred.
Deists believe that people can know God through the application of reason and observation of nature and the universe. They do not think God reveals Himself through scripture or supernatural means.
Deism and God’s Sovereignty
The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all of creation (Psalm 103:19). He actively sustains the universe and governs the world according to His perfect will. Nothing happens outside of God’s decree and purpose:
“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”” (Daniel 4:35).
In contrast, deism pictures God as a creator who started the world but then stepped back to let it run on its own. Deists limit God’s sovereignty to the initial act of creation. This contradicts the biblical view of God’s active sovereignty over all things.
Deism and God’s Providence
The doctrine of providence refers to God’s ongoing care for and involvement with creation. The Bible teaches that God did not just create the world, but He continues to sustain it and provide for His creatures:
“In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
“He upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).
Deists deny God’s providence by asserting that God does not actively sustain the creation. They argue that God does not intervene in human affairs or suspend natural laws. This directly contradicts biblical teaching about God’s continual care and sovereignty over the world (Psalm 104, Matthew 10:29, Colossians 1:17).
Deism and Prayer
Since deists do not believe God intervenes in the world, they assert that prayer is useless. They view prayer as incompatible with God’s impersonal nature and the predetermined natural order.
Scripture commands God’s people to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Christ assured believers that God hears and answers prayer (Matthew 7:7-11). We could not obey biblical commands to pray without intercession if God was detached from the world and uninvolved in human lives. The Bible clearly presents a God who is present with His people and responsive to prayer (Psalm 145:18).
Deism and Miracles
Deists deny the possibility of miracles because miracles imply divine intervention and alteration of natural laws. Deists view the universe as a closed mechanical system that does not allow for supernatural intrusions.
In contrast, the Bible reports many miracles as factual events, including the virgin birth of Christ, His resurrection and His miracles like turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). Scripture presents a God who is not bound by nature but has mastery over it to work miracles for His glory.
Deism and Christ’s Divinity
Orthodox Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate (John 1:14). But deists deny Christ’s divinity. They view Jesus as an influential moral teacher, but not the literal Son of God. Deists reject the doctrine of the Trinity.
Scripture clearly teaches the deity of Christ and the Trinity in passages like Matthew 28:19, John 10:30 and Colossians 2:9. Someone who denies the divine nature of Jesus Christ rejects biblical teaching.
Deism and Ethics
Deists believe ethics and morality are based on human reason and conscience. They do not think moral laws are revealed by God or found in Scripture. Deists reject biblical ethics in favor of a morality derived from human intellect.
But the Bible teaches that man’s conscience and reason are corrupted by sin (Jeremiah 17:9). Scripture, not human reason, must be our moral guide (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Ethics grounded in sinful human reason are subjective and flawed.
Deism and Human Nature
Deists have an elevated view of human nature. They believe people are basically good and rational beings capable of objectively weighing evidence to reach truth. This contradicts the Bible’s teaching that the fall corrupted human nature, making us inclined to evil (Romans 3:10-12). Apart from God’s grace, we are unable to know or please God in our natural state (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Deism and Salvation
Deists deny the Christian doctrines of salvation and eternal life after death. They see no need for divine intervention to save people from sin. Deists believe the way to salvation is living an upright life using wisdom and reason. This contradicts the Bible’s teaching that salvation is only found in Christ (Acts 4:12) and comes by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Deism and Revelation
Deists reject special revelation and the authority of the Bible. They do not believe God reveals Himself through prophets, Scripture or Christ. Instead, deists think people can know God only through human reason and observation.
But the Bible teaches that man cannot know God apart from His self-revelation (1 Corinthians 1:21). God has revealed Himself generally through creation (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20) but specially through Christ and the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2).
Deism and the Afterlife
Deists deny any kind of afterlife or divine judgment. They believe this life is all there is. When we die, we cease to exist. Deists reject the biblical doctrines of heaven, hell and future judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Scripture teaches that human beings are eternal souls who will experience either eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him after death (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31). The destiny of each person is directly linked to their relationship with God in this life.
Deism and God’s Personhood
Deists conceive of God as an impersonal force or disengaged Creator. But the Bible presents God as a personal, relational being who desires to know us and be known by us. God has revealed Himself in part through His names which reflect His compassionate personhood, like Father, Shepherd, Healer, Friend, Helper and Comforter. Deism’s cold, detached view of God contradicts the biblical portrayal of His intimate care for humanity.
Key Points
– Deism believes God created the universe but remains uninvolved in the world. Deists reject divine revelation, miracles and intervention.
– The Bible teaches that God actively sustains creation, governs history, answers prayer, performs miracles and intervenes on behalf of His people.
– Deism denies core Christian doctrines like Christ’s divinity, the Trinity, salvation by grace and an afterlife.
– Deism relies on human reason while Christianity relies on God’s revelation through Scripture and Christ.
– Deism depicts God as impersonal while Christianity portrays God’s intimate care for humanity.
In summary, deism and biblical Christianity are incompatible. Deism rejects the active, personal, revealing God of the Bible. At its core deism denies God’s loving sovereignty and intimate care for His creation.