The Need for Meaning in Life
The ever present search for meaning in life is something that scholars and philosophers have debated and searched for seemingly as long as written communication has existed. Philosophers of old like Socrates and Plato believed that the pursuit of knowledge was the meaning of life while Aristotle held to a belief that simply being a good person was sufficient. He believed that virtue was the goal but there was no list of virtues because that knowledge should be instinctual.
Modern philosophers have grouped the varying ways of defining meaning into three main views: Supernaturalism, Naturalism (3 forms), and Nihilism. Supernaturalism is the view that god (small “g”) exists in some form and we derive meaning from knowing and relating well to him/her/it. Naturalism is the belief that meaning can be derived from seeking and obtaining various goals in life without the need for a god to define what meaning is or is not. The final view, Nihilism, is a form of Naturalism. It states there is no god, but is distinct in that it holds there is no meaning to life. Life simply is … and then you die. We see the influence of each of these views in our lives today though usually not identified in a proper philosophical fashion.
The Supernaturalist view makes its way into our world by holding to a vague acknowledgement of a god and to the principles laid out by the religion that is associated with that god. These would include Eastern Mysticism (all roads lead to god), various forms of New Age thought (speak positivity into the world and it will return to you), Islam (earn your way to god), as well as the vaguely Christianized yet undefined moralism that has plagued our western society for centuries, referred to by Vic as “Country Music Jesus.” Philosophers include biblical Christianity in this viewpoint, however, I will argue that it is entirely different. The problem with the viewpoints outside of biblical Christianity is they are seeking after a “higher power” who is impotent and powerless to affect this life or the next. This generally results from following a god of their own making who, while cloaked in divine descriptions, more closely resembles the golden calf created by the Israelites while Moses was on Mt Sinai than it does an omnipotent, sovereign Lord.
The Naturalist views have been prevalent for about a century and usually take the form of statements like: “The meaning of life is different for each person.” “Do what makes you happy.” And the too often used, “You do you.” The slightly more objective viewpoint may sound like “loving and caring for others provides meaning,” “contributing to the betterment of the world,” or possibly, “we have a duty to help others and that gives meaning to life.” The problem that the Naturalist has is the word “meaning” has no meaning. If there is no god, then anything goes. Morality and meaning are defined in a thousand different ways leading to utter confusion and the breakdown of a common understanding of concepts like marriage, family, right, wrong, or even what a man or a woman is with specificity.
The Nihilist is the easiest, and to me most intellectually honest (albeit wrong), viewpoint. There is no god, there is no meaning. Life simply happens for some reason or no reason. There is no morality. You live it however you wish. When you die that’s it. While intellectually honest, the Nihilist has one glaring problem. With nothing governing the thought processes or actions, life becomes entirely about self. This results in vile, wretched, miserable humans devoid of anything that looks like hope, love, peace, or goodness.
We see this progression in our own country. What started out as a strong influence of biblical Christianity in the early years of the US, evolved into a “man upstairs,” higher power,” “the big guy” view of God. Little meaning or foundation could be gleaned from this fake god, so people began seeking meaning in viewpoints not associated with God. Since the Naturalist view has no power and is based solely on what the individual deems most important to them, the societal norms eventually break down. What is left is chaos and Nihilism.
Each of these viewpoints promises to provide meaning in this life, or at least show that it doesn’t exist. None of them, however, answer the basic question: “Why do I search for meaning in the first place?” Why do all humans desire to live a life that rises above that lived by the animals? To answer that question we need to go to Genesis.
As God formed the universe and everything in it, He made Adam and Eve as his crowning achievement in creation. They, and only they, were created in the image of God.
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness …’” -Gen 1:26
It is in our nature, as image bearers of God, to desire to live a life that means something. Everything in creation has a purpose for its existence but it cannot provide meaning to something or someone else. Since God is the creator and life giver, then, as the only sovereign, it is from Him that we derive meaning. That comes from the one true God alone.
If this is true, then what is mankind’s purpose or meaning? God reveals to Isaiah speaking of the faithful remnant in Israel:
“Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” -Is 43:7
“There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.” -Ps 86:8-10
“Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” -1 Cor 10:1
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” -1 Cor 6:19-20
We see in these verses, and throughout scripture, that our main purpose in this life is to submit to the lordship of God and seek His glory in all things. Paul stresses that our very bodies are His temple. A temple has but one purpose and that is to house and facilitate the worship of the one to whom it is dedicated. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states it plainly, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
As we continually seek meaning in our lives, and those of our family, we must believe and be committed to understanding that our very existence has one purpose, and that is to glorify the One to whom all glory belongs. As we struggle with sin (ours and others’) we must remember that we battle against our flesh because it does not bring glory to God. We fight and work for every ounce of obedience and maturity we gain, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a life that at its end renders the most desired response of all, “Well done good and faithful servant.” That is our purpose. That is the true meaning of life. There can be none higher.
-Clay