Life Without God
Arguments for the Existence of God
Introduction
This is not a winsome way to begin a series of posts, but as a Christian it is my conviction that life without God is inherently absurd. This claim rests on the understanding that without an eternal, transcendent, immutable, and objective source of meaning and purpose, human existence becomes an aimless journey. To be sure, people may grasp for subjective meaning and purpose, but these efforts do not hold sway over the long haul and do not do justice to the heart’s deepest longing and need as the existence of a personal and relational God does.
This series of posts on the existence of God is pastoral and devotional in nature, not scholarly. However, I do want to present some basic and introductory reasons for why I believe in the existence of God. If you would like to investigate more scholarly bibliographical resources on any of these topics, please feel free to contact me and let me know and I will do my best to get the names of those titles and authors to you.
Argument for the Absurdity of Life Without God
1. Moral Foundation and Objective Values - Without God, moral values lack an objective foundation. As Fyodor Dostoevsky eloquently put it in The Brothers Karamazov, “If there is no God, everything is permissible.” Contemporary Christian theologian and philosopher, William Lane Craig, made this topic his first and foundational chapter in his apologetic work, Reasonable Faith. Without a transcendent and objective source, moral values become mere social constructs, fluctuating with the cultural whims of the day. The Bible itself emphasizes the moral law written on our hearts (Romans 2:15), pointing to a divine origin of morality.
2. Ultimate Purpose and Meaning - The existentialists grappled with the despair of a purposeless life. Jean-Paul Sartre famously acknowledged that life without a higher purpose is “nauseating.” In contrast, the Bible offers a clear sense of purpose: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
3. Hope and Eternal Perspective - Life without God is often portrayed as a fleeting existence, ending in nothingness. This seems to be a central theme in Ecclesiastes. Yet the Christian perspective offers hope in this life as well as beyond the grave. As Paul writes, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). The resurrection assures us that our lives have eternal significance.
Countering Common Disagreements
1. Relativism and Subjective Morality - Some argue that morality can be based on human reason or societal consensus. However, history reveals the failures of such systems - totalitarian regimes have justified atrocities under subjective moral frameworks. The Bible provides a consistent moral standard grounded in God’s unchanging character (Malachi 3:6). Of course, this doesn’t mean Christians have always lived in harmony with their ideals, but the point is, they have an objective standard to correct their course.
2. Existential Autonomy - The idea that individuals can create their own meaning is appealing but flawed. Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, acknowledges that meaning derived from within is fragile and often crumbles under life’s pressures. True meaning, according to scripture, comes from knowing and serving God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
3. Scientific Naturalism - Some posit that science alone can explain our existence and purpose. While science describes the “how,” it fails to address the “why” (and even the “how” changes as new theories emerge, and debunked theories fade away). The complexity and order in the universe point towards an intelligent Designer. As the psalmist proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).
Conclusion
We also find support for the absurdity of life without God presented in creative ways in the arts. In Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky explores the chaos that ensues when individuals reject divine morality. Raskolnikov’s descent into madness illustrates the need for a moral anchor. Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” depicts the direct touch of God imparting life and purpose to humanity. In his “Messiah,” Handel beautifully captures the redemptive story of God’s plan for humanity. Not to mention, throughout history we discover the moral influence of Christian teachings has shaped laws and ethics, contributing to human rights and justice. Even Richard Dawkins has very recently referred to himself as a “cultural Christian” because he recognizes the overwhelming positive contributions of the Christian worldview, even while dismissing and disbelieving the foundations upon which those positive contributions were built. Life finds its ultimate meaning and purpose in God. Without him, we are left with relativism, despair, and existential uncertainty.
Key Principles
1. God as the Source of Objective Morality: True moral values are grounded in God’s unchanging nature.
2. Divine Purpose: Our lives have meaning and direction as part of God’s sovereign plan.
3. Hope in Eternity: Christian hope extends beyond this life, providing an eternal perspective.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 reflect on the meaninglessness of life without God?
2. In what way does Romans 1:20 show evidence of God’s existence through creation?
3. How does Psalm 139:13-16 emphasize God’s purposeful creation of each individual?
4. What does Matthew 22:37-39 teach us about the greatest commandments and their role in giving life meaning?
5. How does Jeremiah 29:11-14 provide hope and a future in God’s plan?
6. What conclusion does Solomon reach in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 about the purpose of life?
7. How does Romans 2:15 support the idea of an inherent moral law given by God?
8. How does 1 Corinthians 15:19 highlight the importance of hope in Christ for eternal significance?
9. What does Malachi 3:6 reveal about the consistency of God’s character and its implications for morality?
10. How does Psalm 19:1 illustrate the declaration of God’s glory through creation?
Discussion and Personal Reflection Questions
1. What aspects of life feel most purposeless without a belief in God?
2. How does acknowledging God as the moral lawgiver impact your daily decisions?
3. In what ways do you find comfort in the hope of eternal life?
4. How does understanding that God has a plan for you shape your outlook on the future?
5. Have you experienced moments when creating your own meaning felt insufficient? Share examples.
6. How can the evidence of God in creation strengthen your faith?
7. What does it mean for you personally to love God and your neighbor as Jesus commanded?
8. How does the resurrection of Christ provide assurance for you?
9. In what ways can you reflect God’s unchanging character in your life?
10. How can the beauty and order in the world around you draw you closer to God?
11. What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to God’s purpose?
12. How can the Christian perspective on morality and purpose help you navigate a secular society?
Action Steps
1. Memorize Key Verses: Commit to memory verses that emphasize God’s purpose and plan, such as Jeremiah 29:11-14 and Ecclesiastes 12:13.
2. Engage in Creation Reflection: Spend time in nature, reflecting on Psalm 19:1 and recognizing God’s hand in creation.
3. Share Your Hope: Look for opportunities to share the hope of eternal life with others, inspired by 1 Corinthians 15:19.
4. Live Out the Greatest Commandments: Practice loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself, as commanded in Matthew 22:37-39.
Dale, big one here. Looking forward to where you take this.