What is the meaning of life? Wow! What a question! Who is qualified to answer it? Many have asked over the course of human history, but few are ever satisfied with the answer. So, how can anyone offer up a response with any confidence whatsoever?
Before we can arrive at an answer we’ve got to make sure we understand the question: What is the meaning of life? In my opinion, there are three key terms that must be defined before we can make any progress.
Let’s start with the word “meaning.” What do we mean when we say we’re searching for meaning in life? Philosopher William Lane Craig says there are two types of meaning that will lead to two entirely different answers. Subjective Meaning refers to individuals who determine meaning for themselves and in turn apply it to their own lives. Subjective Meaning is akin to fulfilling one’s dreams. Meaning could be as lofty as singing on Broadway or landing a big contract as a professional athlete. Yet, it could be as seemingly mundane as running a farm or living a Bohemian life in Europe.
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On the other hand, Craig refers to an Objective Meaning for human existence “that is independent of human opinion.” Therefore, we must look outside of the Subjective Meaning that we’ve individually created for ourselves. Life has a way of forcing us to this point. Some climb the corporate ladder all the way to the top only to find it doesn’t provide the happiness and satisfaction they expected. Others turn to marriage and family only to find great pain and profound disappointment.
Where can we look for an Objective Meaning? To do so, we have to reconsider our question: What is THE meaning of life? One little word makes a big difference in the answer. If we’re simply looking for meaning in life then we can gravitate toward an answer that we individually tailor to ourselves. But, if we’re searching for THE meaning of life then we have to look outside of ourselves. We have to seek answers anchored in truth offered by a trustworthy source—hardly an easy thing to do in our jaded age!
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In the 21st century, we look either to religion/spirituality or the alternative: atheism. The French existentialists, Sartre and Camus, do their best as atheists to make sense of life on this frustrating Earth. But, most find oblivion unappealing. Are we really here just to become worm food?
Or, is there something more to life? The Bible does offer an answer. But, it’s not as simple as you might think. Israel’s ancient king, Solomon, explores this in great detail in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. He refuses to settle for trite religious clichés. In fact, he abandons any guise of piety and asks hard questions of God.
Last week, we listened to Solomon’s introduction to the Bible’s book of philosophy. Today, we’ll listen to the beginning of his attempt to answer this age old question: What is THE meaning of life? Let’s turn to Ecclesiastes 1:12-18.
