Existentialism, a philosophical movement born in the 19th century and gaining prominence in the 20th century, emerged largely as a reaction against the constraints of rationalism and the perceived loss of meaning in a secularized world. Influential existentialists like Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus emphasized individual experience, freedom, and the inherent absence of predetermined purpose. Existentialism’s central assertion is that life has no inherent meaning; instead, each individual must create their own meaning through choices and actions in an indifferent or even absurd universe.
Ideology and View of Human Nature
Existentialism holds a distinctly self-defined and fluid view of human nature, rejecting any inherent or divinely assigned essence. The movement famously asserts, "existence precedes essence," implying that humans are born without any predetermined purpose or identity and are responsible for defining themselves through their actions. Existentialists see humans as autonomous beings whose value and identity are constructed individually, emphasizing the freedom of choice as essential to self-actualization. This existential freedom, however, comes with profound responsibility, as each person must face the consequences of their choices in a world devoid of absolute values or moral directives. This view diverges sharply from the Christian belief that humanity has a God-given purpose and identity from creation.
While existentialism upholds autonomy and freedom, it also underscores the anxiety, loneliness, and alienation that come from living in a world without objective meaning or moral absolutes. Concepts like "the absurd," as coined by Camus, highlight the existential tension between humanity’s need for purpose and a world that offers no intrinsic meaning. Sartre and other existentialists often promoted this philosophy as a response to nihilism, suggesting that though life has no objective value, individuals can impose their own values upon it. However, this often leads to moral relativism, where ethical choices are defined solely by individual or situational interpretations, with no universal standard to guide them.
Implementation in Society
Existentialism influences modern society by encouraging individualism and subjective meaning-making, often at the expense of communal values or objective truth. Its impact is especially evident in art, literature, psychology, and popular culture, where themes of self-discovery, freedom from tradition, and self-authentication prevail. In society, existentialism supports a focus on subjective experience, often translating into a “follow your truth” approach to morality, relationships, and personal goals. This philosophy is particularly pervasive in media and education, where it shapes cultural attitudes toward identity, purpose, and ethics. In practice, this approach can undermine stable moral frameworks, leaving individuals to construct their own sense of right and wrong based on personal beliefs rather than shared values.
Existentialist themes also appear in psychological and therapeutic fields, encouraging individuals to make choices that align with their own perceived purpose rather than conforming to societal expectations or traditional norms. This emphasis on self-definition has influenced the broader cultural embrace of fluid identity, where concepts like morality, gender, and purpose are increasingly regarded as individual constructs. While this may empower people to make personal choices, it often leads to moral ambiguity and subjective ethics, as existentialism provides no enduring framework for shared human values or accountability.
Christian Critique of Existentialism
Christianity fundamentally disagrees with existentialism’s relativistic view of meaning, identity, and morality. Scripture teaches that humans have an inherent purpose, rooted in their creation by God. Genesis 1:27 affirms that humans are made in God's image, giving each person an identity and worth beyond individual choice. Christianity contends that meaning and purpose are found not in self-creation but in a relationship with God (Ecclesiastes 12:13), who has given life its ultimate significance. Jesus’ declaration, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), asserts an objective truth and purpose that contradict existentialism’s claim that each individual must create their own truth.
Christianity also offers an objective moral standard, grounded in God’s character, which opposes existentialism’s relativistic approach to ethics. While existentialism encourages individuals to define their own values, Christianity teaches that real freedom and fulfillment come from aligning one’s life with God’s moral law (Psalm 119:160). In Romans 2:15, Paul explains that God has written His law on the human heart, giving each person an intrinsic sense of right and wrong that is neither situational nor arbitrary. This objective standard enables true moral accountability and justice, addressing the existential need for purpose in a way that is both consistent and rooted in reality.
The Inconsistencies of Existential Relativism
A significant problem with existentialism is its tendency toward self-contradiction. By asserting that life has no inherent meaning, existentialists encourage individuals to create personal meaning, but this very notion suggests a form of purpose that contradicts their claims. If life is indeed meaningless, the pursuit of purpose is logically empty, resulting in a worldview that, while claiming freedom, ultimately leads to despair or nihilism. Additionally, existentialism’s relativistic ethics create practical challenges, as the absence of objective moral standards leads to moral ambiguity, making it difficult to justify actions like justice, sacrifice, or altruism without recourse to a transcendent standard.
Existentialism’s emphasis on freedom and autonomy also fails to account for humanity’s need for connection, accountability, and purpose beyond the self. Christianity, by contrast, provides a coherent framework that affirms human freedom while recognizing God-given purpose and communal responsibility. The Bible presents humanity’s longing for meaning as rooted in God’s design, with true fulfillment found not in self-definition but in the pursuit of God’s purposes (Jeremiah 29:11). The Christian perspective reconciles freedom with moral responsibility, acknowledging that humans are moral agents accountable to a higher authority.
Christianity as the True Answer
Christianity addresses the deep questions raised by existentialism, offering an answer that acknowledges both personal identity and divine purpose. Where existentialism sees freedom as absolute and self-directed, Christianity presents true freedom as found in Christ, who provides a foundation for purpose, morality, and fulfillment (John 8:32). Instead of leaving individuals to create meaning in a world devoid of inherent value, Christianity affirms that meaning is grounded in God’s character and His intentions for humanity.
The Christian worldview aligns with reality by recognizing that humans are both finite and dependent on their Creator. Unlike existentialism’s view of identity as self-made, Christianity offers a stable and enduring identity, based on being a child of God (1 John 3:1). Additionally, Christianity’s narrative of redemption provides hope that transcends the despair of existential isolation. Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God and given a clear purpose, rooted in His love and authority, which existentialism fails to provide.
In conclusion, while existentialism seeks to address humanity’s desire for meaning and freedom, it ultimately leads to relativism, isolation, and moral ambiguity. Christianity offers a coherent response to these needs, grounding identity, purpose, and morality in the unchanging nature of God. By aligning with God’s revealed truth, individuals find true freedom, purpose, and hope, reflecting a worldview that corresponds with the reality of human experience and provides the only true answer to humanity’s deepest questions.