Philosophy

The Moral Argument for God

The existence of objective moral values and duties points powerfully to a moral Lawgiver. If there is no God, then moral values are merely subjective preferences with no binding authority. Yet virtually everyone lives as though some things are truly right and truly wrong — a reality best explained by a transcendent moral standard grounded in God's nature.

Key Question

Can objective morality exist without God?

Evidence

Key Scriptures (ESV)

Romans 2:14-15

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness.”

Micah 6:8

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Scholar Insights

CL
C.S. Lewis
“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?”
WLC
William Lane Craig
“If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist. But objective moral values and duties do exist. Therefore, God exists. This simple argument is one of the most powerful in the philosopher's arsenal.”