Christianity isn’t the only worldview that believes that morality is objective and absolute.
In fact, many non-Christians also think this way.
The difference lies in how Christians get there.
For example, naturalism is the philosophical view that sees the world as being self-existing and not reliant on a Creator God.
This is why naturalists believe that objective moral values are a result of social conditioning or genetics.
They don’t see an external standard of right and wrong outside of human beings themselves.
This raises the question: Why do so many Christians believe that objective moral values exist?
How do we know if something is right or wrong apart from what people think or feel?
What justifies our belief in an objective standard of right and wrong?
What is absolute and objective morality?
Moral absolutism is the view that there are objective moral truths that are universally binding, regardless of circumstances.
This means that certain actions are always right or wrong, no matter who does them or why.
For instance, most people would agree that murder is always wrong, regardless of whether the victim is a friend or a stranger.
Similarly, lying is always wrong, even if it’s done to protect someone from harm.
Moral objectivism is similar to moral absolutism, but with one key distinction: while moral absolutists believe that there are objective moral truths, they don’t necessarily believe that these truths are known to all people.
In other words, while they believe that murder is objectively wrong, they may not believe that everyone knows that it’s wrong.
Moral subjectivism, on the other hand, is the view that morality is subjective, or relative to each individual.
This means that what is right or wrong depends on the individual’s beliefs and values.
For instance, someone who believes in the sanctity of human life may consider murder to be always wrong, while someone who believes in self-defense may consider it acceptable in some cases.
As you can see, absolute and objective morality are complex concepts with a lot of room for interpretation.
Why do Christians believe that morality is objective?
Christians believe that morality is objective for a number of reasons.
First, they believe that there is a God who has established certain moral laws.
These laws are not arbitrary or changeable, but are based on God’s character and are intended to reflect his goodness and love.
Second, Christians believe that human beings are created in the image of God and have been given the ability to reason and make ethical decisions.
This ability means that we are capable of discerning right from wrong and acting in accordance with what is good.
Finally, Christians believe that morality is objective because it is based on the foundation of love.
Love is not a feeling or an emotion, but an action that seeks the highest good for others.
When we act in love, we are acting in accordance with what is truly good and right.
What does Christianity say about morality?
Christianity has a lot to say about morality.
The Bible contains many stories about people making moral choices, and it also includes several (sometimes conflicting) ethical teachings.
Christians believe that God is the ultimate source of morality and that human beings are capable of making moral choices because we are made in God’s image.
Christians also believe that we will be held accountable for our choices, both good and bad.
Many Christian denominations have developed their own ethical codes, based on their interpretation of Scripture.
Some of these codes focus on personal conduct, while others address social and political issues.
In general, though, Christians believe that we should live according to God’s laws, which include loving our neighbor as ourselves and treating others with compassion and respect.
Does the Bible say morality is objective?
Most Christians believe that morality is objective, meaning that it is not dependent on our personal opinions or feelings.
Rather, it is based on a fixed set of principles that are true for everyone, regardless of culture or individual preferences.
The Bible is often cited as the source of these objective moral truths, and there are indeed a number of passages that suggest that morality is absolute.
For example, in Matthew 7:12, Jesus says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”
This “Golden Rule” implies that there is a universal standard of right and wrong that applies to all people.
Similarly, in Romans 2:15, Paul writes that God “will render to each one according to his works.”
This again suggests that our actions will be judged by an objective moral standard.
There are many other examples in the Bible of objective moral truths being taught.
Therefore, it seems clear that the Bible does support the idea that morality is objective.
Where does morality come from in Christianity?
Many Christians believe that morality comes from God.
After all, God is the one who gave us the Ten Commandments, which provide a clear moral framework for living.
In addition, Jesus Himself was a model of moral behavior, and He taught His followers to love their neighbor and always do unto others as they would have done unto them.
From this perspective, Christianity offers a strong foundation for living a moral life.
However, it is important to remember that each individual ultimately has the responsibility to choose whether or not to follow God’s commands.
Just as we are free to disobey the law, we are free to disobey God’s commands.
As the saying goes, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).
In other words, it is our relationship with Jesus Christ that ultimately determines our morality.
Those who are saved by His grace are able to live righteous lives, while those who reject Him will find themselves caught in a cycle of sin.
So where does morality come from in Christianity? It comes from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
There is a Moral Law Within Everyone
The Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of truth, has written in the hearts of everyone a moral law to which we are all accountable.
This law shows us what God requires of us, and it is written on our hearts so we can’t pretend we don’t know what is right and what is wrong.
Crucial to this argument is the acknowledgment that humans are made in the image of God.
This means we are more than just flesh and blood—we’re spiritual beings.
Because of this, we possess a moral law written on our hearts even before we decide which worldview we’ll embrace.
The Bible says that God has placed this moral law in within each of us. In other words, God has written His law onto the inside of our hearts.
We all have a conscience that tells us whether we’re doing the right thing or not.
This is the voice of God in each of us.
It tells us what is right and what is wrong without us having to be taught by someone else. It is our moral obligation toward God, other people, and ourselves.
God has written His moral law in our hearts
God has given us His law as a standard for how we should live.
He has given us this law so we can know what is right and what is wrong.
The law is a reflection of God’s character and His unchanging nature.
It shows us His loving character and His unending compassion.
It also shows us His justice and His judgment upon sin.
The law shows us what God requires of us and is written on our hearts so we can’t pretend we don’t know what is right and what is wrong.
The law acts as a standard that God holds us accountable to.
It is the rule against which our actions are measured.
God’s law isn’t something we obey because we have to.
Instead, we obey it because we want to.
Obeying God’s law isn’t an obligation. It’s a joy.
Why do so many Christians believe that objective moral values exist?
Many Christians believe that objective moral values exist because they see firsthand the effects of living in a world without them.
They believe that without objective moral values, there would be no basis for human rights, and that people would be free to treat others however they liked, with no regard for the consequences.
Christians also point to the existence of conscience as evidence for the existence of objective moral values.
Conscience is our inner sense of right and wrong, and it helps us to make moral decisions even when we are not fully aware of all the facts.
Christians see conscience as a reminder that we are accountable to a higher power, and that we will be judged according to our actions.
Finally, many Christians believe that the Bible provides compelling evidence for the existence of objective moral values.
The Bible contains numerous commands and prohibitions that were given by God Himself, and Christians believe that these commands reflect His objective standard of right and wrong.
How do we know if something is right or wrong apart from what people think or feel?
We are constantly making decisions – what to wear, what to eat, what to say.
Some of these choices are easy, but others can be more difficult.
Sometimes we may feel pulled in two different directions, not sure which way to go.
How can we know if something is right or wrong?
Ideally, we would like to have a clear set of guidelines that we could follow in every situation.
However, life is rarely so simple.
People have different opinions on what is right and wrong, and these opinions can change over time.
In addition, our own experiences and emotions can influence our decision-making.
So how can we find clarity? One way is to consult with others – either those who have more experience or those who share our values.
Ultimately, though, we each need to make our own decisions and listen to our inner voice.
We may not always be sure which way to go, but by following God and our hearts, we can usually find our way.
What justifies our belief in an objective standard of right and wrong?
Many people believe that there is an objective standard of right and wrong.
That is, regardless of our personal beliefs or feelings, certain actions are always right or wrong.
For some, this belief is based on religious principles.
Others may believe that it is simply a matter of common sense.
Still, others may argue that we have an innate sense of right and wrong that is hardwired into our brains.
While there are many different justifications for belief in an objective standard of right and wrong, one of the most compelling is the argument from moral experience.
When we see someone commit a harmful action, we instinctively feel that it is wrong.
Similarly, when we witness a kind act, we often feel that it is right.
This suggests that we have an innate sense of morality that helps us to judge between right and wrong.
Of course, our individual experiences can also play a role in shaping our beliefs about what is right and what is wrong.
But at the end of the day, it seems that our belief in an objective standard of right and wrong rests on a foundation of our own moral experiences.
Summary
Many Christians believe in objective morality, which is the belief that there are certain standards of right and wrong that apply to everyone, regardless of their personal beliefs or feelings.
This is often contrasted with subjective morality, which is the belief that morality is a matter of personal opinion and that there is no such thing as absolute right or wrong.
Christians who believe in objective morality typically do so because they believe that it is based on the character of God.
They believe that since God is good, then there must be objective standards of right and wrong that reflect his goodness.
Additionally, many Christians believe that objective morality is necessary for human flourishing.
Without objective moral standards, they argue, people would be free to pursue their own selfish desires without regard for the well-being of others.
As a result, believers in objective morality typically argue that it is essential for promoting a just and peaceful society.