Q: Can you have morality apart from God? Is God necessary for right & wrong or good & bad?
Can you be good without God?
13-Aug-09 (updated 5-Nov-09)
First off, the Word of God states that no one is good, but God alone & that it’s foolish to think otherwise (Ps 53.1-3, Lk 18.19). Therefore, only God, as the Almighty Creator, can determine what is truly right & wrong. He originally made everything good, including mankind (Gen 1.31). Then He saw fit to test them by giving them an option. They could choose either A) to physically eat of any tree in the Garden of Eden, including the “tree of life” (Gen 2.8-9); or B) to disobey & eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good & evil” which had a forewarned fatal consequence (Gen 2.16-17).
Adam & Eve failed the test (Gen 3.6) & God making good on His justice, had to enable the consequence. This is the point in history known as “the fall” or more specifically the fall of mankind from God’s grace. This is where sin & evil entered the world (Rom 5.12). It follows logic that this is the point at which man’s conscience was able to “know” or perceive evil. In fact, the word conscience means “with knowledge”. In other words, the conscience was given to man upon his creation, but initially they only had knowledge of good since that’s all there was - God & His perfect creation. Upon their disobedience of God’s command (sin – 1 Jn 3.4), they had knowledge of evil (Gen 3.7, 13). It’s important to point out that apart from our God-given conscience (Rom 2.14-16), only God’s Word & His Holy Spirit can instruct us on right & wrong (Jn 16.8-11, Rom 3.20, 7.7, Heb 4.12, 5.14, 2 Tim 3.16-17).
Furthermore, part of the consequence of Adam & Eve’s sin was the curse upon all of creation (Gen 3.17-19, Rom 8.20-22). As a result of their sin, all of mankind inherited their sinfulness by default (Rom 5.12). All of us are corrupted, including our conscience (Tit 1.15, Heb 9.14) & we are born with an imminent potential to sin (Jer 17.9, Rom 3.10-18, Eph 4.22). How then can anyone purely discern right from wrong apart from God’s guidance (Ps 19.12)?
If we don’t have moral direction such as is provided by the Bible, then everyone will just do whatever they think is “right” (Ps 36.1-3, Pr 3.7, Jdg 2.10-11, 21.25). This is known as moral relativism & is inherently problematic amongst people for at least 2 reasons. Firstly, when one person exercises what they believe is “right”, but it impedes, harms or threatens someone else, you will have conflict. Things like this are detrimental to others. For instance, if I justify stealing & proceed to take something from you, you will view that as wrong. Hence, if we obey God’s law forbidding stealing at any level (Ex 20.15), the problem is solved.
Secondly, sin generally has a selfish nature. If we gravitate to our natural, selfish nature, this too will result in the offense of others. Things like this are depriving of others. For example, if there is a limited amount of something & I hoard it all or choose the best of it for myself, someone else will miss out. Therefore, we need Scripture to remind us to abstain from greed (1 Cor 6.9-11, Col 3.5) & put others’ needs ahead of our own (Mt 7.12, 1 Cor 13.4-5, Php 2.3-8).
Thirdly, continuing in the sin's theme of selfishness, we not only want what's best for ourselves, but we think that we are better than others - pridefulness. This underpins the first 2 examples as well. But consider if you want to make yourself look better, you might criticize, make fun of or berate others which is the demeaning of others. Therefore, we need God's instruction to tell us to not tear others down (Jas 3.9-10), but instead encourage & build others up (Rom 15.2, Eph 4.29, 1 Th 5.11).
There are many more examples than just these 3, but understand that sin (i.e. wrong, evil) is deceptive & can harm us & others without us realizing it (Heb 3.13). If we do not perceive something as the sin it truly is, its destructiveness is certain though it may seem far off, inconsequential or even pleasurable at the time (Heb 11.25). Sin is also not always obvious to others, but God always knows because it is always primarily against Him (Ps 51.3-4, 90.8). Then, sins, such as hating & lust, destroy internally (Prov 6.32, 22.8, Mt 5.21-22, 27-28). They can radiate outward to those closest to us or even be intentionally directed towards others. Some may like to sin, but no one likes to be sinned against. No one likes to be lied to, stolen from, deceived or deprived.
From the 2 Psalms below, we further learn that not only is sin deceptive, but sin isn't necessarily obvious to us for 2 other fundamental reasons - we have an incorrect view of God & an incorrect view of ourselves. Another consequence of sin is it's compounding affect (1 Thes 2.16, Eze 16.23-26). For example, not having a correct view of God, i.e. "God doesn't mind if I...", is idolatry which is making God into something He isn't. In essence, this is creating a false god or idol (not necessarily physical) to suite your own desires (Hab 2.18-20, Col 3.5).
Continued below…
Adam & Eve failed the test (Gen 3.6) & God making good on His justice, had to enable the consequence. This is the point in history known as “the fall” or more specifically the fall of mankind from God’s grace. This is where sin & evil entered the world (Rom 5.12). It follows logic that this is the point at which man’s conscience was able to “know” or perceive evil. In fact, the word conscience means “with knowledge”. In other words, the conscience was given to man upon his creation, but initially they only had knowledge of good since that’s all there was - God & His perfect creation. Upon their disobedience of God’s command (sin – 1 Jn 3.4), they had knowledge of evil (Gen 3.7, 13). It’s important to point out that apart from our God-given conscience (Rom 2.14-16), only God’s Word & His Holy Spirit can instruct us on right & wrong (Jn 16.8-11, Rom 3.20, 7.7, Heb 4.12, 5.14, 2 Tim 3.16-17).
Furthermore, part of the consequence of Adam & Eve’s sin was the curse upon all of creation (Gen 3.17-19, Rom 8.20-22). As a result of their sin, all of mankind inherited their sinfulness by default (Rom 5.12). All of us are corrupted, including our conscience (Tit 1.15, Heb 9.14) & we are born with an imminent potential to sin (Jer 17.9, Rom 3.10-18, Eph 4.22). How then can anyone purely discern right from wrong apart from God’s guidance (Ps 19.12)?
If we don’t have moral direction such as is provided by the Bible, then everyone will just do whatever they think is “right” (Ps 36.1-3, Pr 3.7, Jdg 2.10-11, 21.25). This is known as moral relativism & is inherently problematic amongst people for at least 2 reasons. Firstly, when one person exercises what they believe is “right”, but it impedes, harms or threatens someone else, you will have conflict. Things like this are detrimental to others. For instance, if I justify stealing & proceed to take something from you, you will view that as wrong. Hence, if we obey God’s law forbidding stealing at any level (Ex 20.15), the problem is solved.
Secondly, sin generally has a selfish nature. If we gravitate to our natural, selfish nature, this too will result in the offense of others. Things like this are depriving of others. For example, if there is a limited amount of something & I hoard it all or choose the best of it for myself, someone else will miss out. Therefore, we need Scripture to remind us to abstain from greed (1 Cor 6.9-11, Col 3.5) & put others’ needs ahead of our own (Mt 7.12, 1 Cor 13.4-5, Php 2.3-8).
Thirdly, continuing in the sin's theme of selfishness, we not only want what's best for ourselves, but we think that we are better than others - pridefulness. This underpins the first 2 examples as well. But consider if you want to make yourself look better, you might criticize, make fun of or berate others which is the demeaning of others. Therefore, we need God's instruction to tell us to not tear others down (Jas 3.9-10), but instead encourage & build others up (Rom 15.2, Eph 4.29, 1 Th 5.11).
There are many more examples than just these 3, but understand that sin (i.e. wrong, evil) is deceptive & can harm us & others without us realizing it (Heb 3.13). If we do not perceive something as the sin it truly is, its destructiveness is certain though it may seem far off, inconsequential or even pleasurable at the time (Heb 11.25). Sin is also not always obvious to others, but God always knows because it is always primarily against Him (Ps 51.3-4, 90.8). Then, sins, such as hating & lust, destroy internally (Prov 6.32, 22.8, Mt 5.21-22, 27-28). They can radiate outward to those closest to us or even be intentionally directed towards others. Some may like to sin, but no one likes to be sinned against. No one likes to be lied to, stolen from, deceived or deprived.
From the 2 Psalms below, we further learn that not only is sin deceptive, but sin isn't necessarily obvious to us for 2 other fundamental reasons - we have an incorrect view of God & an incorrect view of ourselves. Another consequence of sin is it's compounding affect (1 Thes 2.16, Eze 16.23-26). For example, not having a correct view of God, i.e. "God doesn't mind if I...", is idolatry which is making God into something He isn't. In essence, this is creating a false god or idol (not necessarily physical) to suite your own desires (Hab 2.18-20, Col 3.5).
Continued below…
Psalm 10.2-4
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. |
Psalm 36.1-3
An oracle is within my heart
concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. |
An atheist may tell you that God isn’t necessary for morality. But let’s examine the consistency of an atheistic worldview such as humanistic evolution which takes the known idea of “survival of the fittest” (only the strong survive) & credits it as the driving mechanism for all advancement of life, namely humankind. If one holds to that view, why would they ever want to help anyone else, especially if it holds them back in doing so? Why have compassion? Why help the crippled or elderly? Why tend to the sick or others who are a drain to society or hold back humanity? Why not eliminate the competition?
In fact, morality is contrary & inconsistent with atheism in that sense. An atheist can have morality, it just has no basis in a worldview without God & his morality is actually based partially upon the conscience that God gave him. Else, the definitions of right & wrong are self-determined within moral relativism. In other words, a person can have morality apart from God, but it will be based on their own ideas of right & wrong instead of God’s absolute truth. When it comes to morality, only God can make the call on what is truly good.
If an atheist or humanist claims there are no moral absolutes, then any moral statements they make have no bearing at all. Thus a world of absurd contradiction must be embraced in order to attempt to rationalize the reality of moral necessity & a nagging conscience. Interestingly enough, while most atheists would not want to live in countries that embrace atheistic (socialist & communist) worldviews, they want to live in a Western society that was constructed on Christian morality. Some want to have their cake & eat it too, all the while trying to erase moral historical truth. From their world of contradiction, they may decry others to be prejudice while at the same time claiming all religions evil & from their “careful scientific” approaches, they will not carefully scrutinize between true & false religions or true & false Christians. Christ & His people readily admit to the company of hypocrites (Mt 7.17-21), but that doesn’t mean that all Christians are so, though they are still sinners. The historical truth is that evil has always come from people, including Christians, who have abandoned God.
It’s critical to note that people who don’t know God do not necessarily set out to do evil. They are slaves to their sinful nature & must obey it (Rom 6.6-10, 11-14, 8.6-8). They do not consider the things they do as evil (Ps 36.1-2), at least not the things that they do publicly (Eph 5.11-12). They might even consider them “natural” or “good” in their own eyes though they are ultimately destructive (Pr 14.12). This is because they are self-deceived & corrupted (Tit 1.15, Gal 6.7-8, 1 Jn 1.8), just as we all start out. They suppress the truth about morality by persisting in things that are actually wicked in God’s perfect & holy view (Rom 1.18-20, 1 Tim 4.2).
Interestingly, our sinfulness bears witness to God, His morality & His holiness (Isa 6.5, Lk 5.8, Rom 14.11-12). The very fact that we sense right & wrong is basis for guilt & shame (Gen 3.8-10). Unfortunately, our post-modern western society over-emphasizes the development of self-esteem, entitlement & tolerance while squelching what is truly right & wrong. The result is corruption without shame - a continual searing of the conscience.
The question is not about whether someone can be good without God, but whether or not they will be able to detect their own evil.
The truth is that some day, we will all have to stand before Almighty God (Heb 4.13, 10.31, Ps 90.8). The good news is that He is patient with us (2 Pet 3.3-4, 7, 9-10) & wants us to accept the only way of salvation He has provided for us through Christ (Jn 3.16). In doing so, He will cleanse our conscience (Heb 9.14, 10.22) & forgive our all sins (Eph 1.7, Heb 9.22, 1 Pet 3.18) to set us free to live life & have eternal life (Ps 32.1-5, Rom 6.22-23, Jn 10.9-11) ! ! !
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. - Pr 14.12
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Rom 6.23 Related Pages |
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