One Real Question, One Better Answer

The author of Four Against the Arctic, in a philosophical moment, quotes the existentialist Albert Camus' book The Myth of Sisyphus. Camus (I believe it is pronounced Cam-moo) writes,

"There is one truly serious philosophical question, which is that of suicide. To decide that life is not worth living is to answer the fundamental question of philosophy."

I have to admit again that the existentialists have much insight on life. Sadly though, the honest and consistent existentialist does not even have an answer to the question, let alone the right answer.

One thing is for certain though, without a Biblical view of man, man is (as they say) "better off dead." When one takes an "under the sun" approach to life one is left without a distinguished purpose and without a solid basis for dignity. In other words, man has no real reason for living. These words of Camus almost echoes those of Solomon who, after viewing all of life from a Camus-like lens, says, "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless."

Thankfully Jesus solves the "to be or not to be" question when He says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." In this passage Jesus underscores the value of humanity. In the background of this passage we hear that man is God's beloved creation. Even in his miserable, sinful state humanity is precious. So precious is man in God's eyes that He would send his Son, in the very form of man, to redeem the men He has designated for it.

The key to life's question is the Life Giver. Life is not to be terminated by one's own hand. Life is to be lived. But not only is life to be lived, it is to be lived with fullness of life. Sure, if life is just about scrapping by, then, yeah, why not pull the trigger? If life is no better than that of a dog's, then why put off the inevitable? But if life possesses meaning and fulfilment, purpose and dignity, then another day is to be had.

Jesus knows that life is really nothing more than an existence without His redemption. Jesus knows that the real end of a man oriented philosophy is ultimately suicide. So he intervenes with the answer to philosophy's most basic question: It is not about whether or not I chose to take my life of live it. It is about whether or not I choose to serve Christ or not.

Man's Cheif End?

Any Bible believing Christian would affirm the Shorter Catechism when it says, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." But contrast this aim with that of one existentialist who said,

"The goal of life is not to be among the majority. It is to escape being among the insane."

Just Be Brave?

What is life like without the guidance of the absolute truth found in God's Word? Well, here is a hint. This is how an unnamed university professor begins one of his semester courses:

There is no system of philosophy to spin out. There are no ethical truths. We are mistaken to think that anyone ever had the answers. There are no answers. Just be brave.

If all that is here said, one wonders why one should "just be brave." Why not say, "Just put a gun to your head and end it."? If there are no answers--and no possible way of finding them--why even attempt living? Such optimism in the face of such woe seems misplaced.

The real bravery comes through knowing the right philosophy and living according to the ethical truths contained in the Bible. Certianly there was no braver man in the world than Jesus Christ, who set his face like flint and bore the cross and its shame courageously.

A Prophet In His Own Right

The 19th century Frenchman, Jean Paul Sarte, was a pioneer in the philosophical world. His existentialism is the keystone upon which our current postmodern culture is built. I offer this quote as an example,

"It makes no difference whether you run down a lady in a crosswalk or help her cross the street. What makes the difference is that you ask."

For Sarte, the basis for life's decisions, especially those pertaining to morality, was found in one's own self. To put it in Bible terms, "Everyone does what is right in his own eyes."

The end result of Sarte and his existentialist philosophy is anarchy. If there is no standard, men will do what their evil hearts please.