Reason, accurately applied, exposes the cruelty and futility of this present world. However, reason alone is not able to give answers to ultimate questions. There is in fact a fundamental futility to life on earth because of the curse of decay. This fundamental futility has been recognized by philosophers as well as scientists.
The biblical book of Ecclesiastes is wise King Solomon’s record of his experiment to test the full measure of what life “under the sun” has to offer, i.e., what life has to offer from the human perspective. Ecclesiastes reports the results of a diligent quest for purpose, meaning, and satisfaction in human life. The conclusion that he comes to is that life is futile and perplexing. “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) All is futile proud emptiness. All earthly goals and ambitions when pursued as ends in themselves lead to frustration. Except, Solomon concludes at the end of his analysis, “to fear God, and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Because of this observed futility, nihilist and existentialist philosophers say that truth is not objective. The logic is that since life is fundamentally futile, all is absurd. Rather than turn to God in the midst of futility, they use futility to define all reality and say simply that the most important thing is willful activity on the part of man. People should abandon the role of rational spectator and simply act. Why try to make sense of absurdity? “Just do it!”. “Obey Your Thirst!” These and other advertisement slogans of pop culture have been based on such philosophy. Of course, the philosophy is left arguing that it does not matter what the action is, the point is simply to act. This justifies behavior of any kind; rational or irrational, kind or cruel, just or unjust.
Solomon went beyond the nihilists in his thinking about futility, recognizing that God and the deep longing of the human heart require righteousness, justice, and love.
– Mark Cadwallader, Board Chairman of Creation Moments
Image: King Solomon in Old Age, Gustave Doré, PD, Wikimedia Commons
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