No Morality Without God
The sermon argues that existentialism's denial of God's existence is inconsistent with its use of theistic language and assumptions about responsibility.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the inherent contradiction in existentialism's denial of God while simultaneously appealing to moral responsibility. He critiques the notion that without God, values and commands lose their legitimacy, arguing that true accountability and morality stem from the existence of a divine authority. Tozer points out that the anguish and despair felt by existentialists highlight an underlying acknowledgment of a moral law and a judge, which can only exist if God is real. He asserts that without God, concepts like responsibility and morality become meaningless, as there would be no one to hold us accountable for our actions.
Text
It has always seemed to me completely inconsistent that existentialism should deny the existence of God and then proceed to use the language of theism to persuade men to live right. The French writer, Jean-Paul Sartre, for instance, states frankly that he represents atheistic existentialism. ?If God does not exist,? he says, ?we find no values or commands to turn to which legitimize our conduct. So in the bright realm of values, we have no excuse behind us, nor justification before us. We are all alone, with no excuses.? Yet in the next paragraph he states bluntly, ?Man is responsible for his passion,? and further on, ?A coward is responsible for his cowardice.?
And such considerations as these, he says, fill the existentialist with ?anguish, forlornness and despair.?
It seems to me that such reasoning must assume the truth of everything it seeks to deny. If there were no God there would be no such words as ?responsible.? No criminal need fear a judge who does not exist; nor would he need to worry about breaking a law that had not been passed. It is the knowledge that the law and the judge do in fact exist that strikes fear to the lawbreaker?s heart. There is someone to whom he is accountable; otherwise the concept of responsibility could have no meaning.
Sermon Outline
- The Inconsistency of Existentialism
- The Consequences of No God
- The Assumption of Responsibility
- Existentialists assume responsibility
- This assumption implies God's existence
Key Quotes
“If God does not exist, we find no values or commands to turn to which legitimize our conduct.” — A.W. Tozer
“A coward is responsible for his cowardice.” — A.W. Tozer
“We are all alone, with no excuses.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize that morality and responsibility are rooted in God's existence and laws.
- Acknowledge the consequences of a world without God, including chaos and despair.
- Understand that accountability to a higher authority is essential for a moral and responsible life.