What defines existentialism as a philosophical movement?

Introduction and Historical Context

Existentialism, as a philosophical movement, gained prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries through the writings of thinkers who wrestled with questions about human freedom, individual responsibility, and the nature of meaning. Although it sprang from a broad intellectual context, key figures have included Søren Kierkegaard (often called the “father of existentialism”), Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus. These philosophers, each in different ways, sought to address the idea that human beings must find or create meaning in an apparently indifferent or even absurd universe.

Kierkegaard approached existential questions in a way he believed was consistent, at least in part, with a theistic perspective. Others, such as Sartre and Camus, emphasized an atheistic outlook, insisting that humans stand alone in creating values and significance. Over time, existentialism influenced literature, drama, theology, and social theory, becoming a central strand of modern philosophical discourse.

Defining Existentialism: Core Characteristics

Existentialism broadly focuses on personal existence rather than abstract systems or universal principles. It looks at the human condition and grapples with issues like freedom, choice, individuality, and authenticity. While existentialists can differ dramatically in their conclusions, the following are common points of emphasis:

1. Individual Subjectivity

Many existentialists highlight the subjective experience of human beings. Sartre famously claimed, “Existence precedes essence,” implying that a person is not defined by a predetermined nature or essence but must forge meaning through deliberate choices. This emphasis on subjectivity opposes any view that sees individuals primarily as products of societal or cosmic forces.

2. Confrontation with Absurdity

Writers such as Camus explore the concept of the absurd—the perceived conflict between humanity’s search for meaning and the apparent silence of the world. The individual often stands at a crossroads: either to embrace a belief in transcendent reality or to confront life’s seeming meaninglessness. Camus’s works (e.g., “The Myth of Sisyphus”) capture this tension, though his conclusions differ from those of theistic existentialists, who see God as responding to humanity’s need for meaning.

3. Authenticity and Responsibility

In many existentialist texts, authenticity involves living in accordance with one’s true self, rather than conforming to social pressures or unexamined norms. Responsibility, therefore, means recognizing the weight of one’s freedom to choose. For atheistic existentialists, there is no higher authority imposing moral or existential guidelines, placing the onus on each individual to define right and wrong. Theistic existentialists, by contrast, believe that human beings still bear heavy responsibility but see the foundation of morality and purpose as anchored in God.

4. Angst and Despair

The feeling of “angst” arises when individuals realize the full burden of freedom and the possibility that life may lack an overarching purpose if they do not find one. Despair often follows from recognizing personal limitations or the elusiveness of certainty in a subjective world. Though these emotions can be deeply unsettling, existentialists also consider them a catalyst for true self-awareness and genuine decision-making.

Theistic vs. Atheistic Existentialism

Existentialism as a movement does not have a single stance toward the divine. Some existentialists, notably Kierkegaard and Gabriel Marcel, approached existential questions within a theistic framework, arguing that human existence finds its ultimate grounding in God. Kierkegaard emphasized taking a “leap of faith,” believing that one’s relationship with the divine invests life with the deepest significance.

Atheistic existentialists, including Sartre and Camus, reject any external framework of meaning, seeing the universe as indifferent. They argue that humans must accept total freedom without relying on divine intervention, forging purpose through personal authenticity and integrity.

Existentialism in Light of Scripture

Scriptural passages consistently affirm that human beings are created with a purpose, rooted in the eternal God who establishes and sustains the universe:

• “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet no one can fathom the work God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

• “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

Rather than viewing existence as fundamentally absurd, Scripture teaches that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and have worth and purpose. This understanding contrasts strongly with existentialist notions that emphasize life’s meaninglessness if not self-created. Although Scripture acknowledges feelings akin to existential “angst” (e.g., Psalm 42 or Ecclesiastes’ lament of life’s vanities), it directs individuals toward God as the ultimate source of hope.

Additionally, answers to human despair arise from belief in the One who gave His life and rose again (John 14:6). While existentialism often dwells on anxiety, a perspective informed by Scripture asserts that trusting in God redeems such anxiety, leading to true freedom in recognizing divine sovereignty (Romans 8:28). This perspective interweaves individual responsibility with reliance on a transcendent Creator.

Existentialism’s Influence on Culture and Thought

Over the last century, existentialist ideas have permeated literature, theater (such as the plays of Samuel Beckett), cinema, and psychology. Encouraging a focus on personal identity and authenticity, existentialism has shaped counseling methods and humanistic psychology, spotlighting self-awareness and personal freedom. Secular existentialism, however, can conflict with a biblical worldview by proposing that one can create meaning autonomously, independent of God.

In broader cultural expressions, the existential emphasis on defining oneself is present in modern calls for “self-discovery.” This can be valuable insofar as it promotes honest introspection. Yet, from a scriptural vantage point, humanity’s truest self is understood in light of accountability to a living and eternal God (Romans 14:12).

Balancing Existential Insights with Biblical Truth

While an atheistic existentialism can lead to despair or moral subjectivism, a theistic reading of existential ideas can serve as a reminder that personal experience and choice genuinely matter. Being made in God’s image involves rational, moral, and creative capacities. The offers of Scripture thus meet the existential longing for authenticity with a reconciling call:

• “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. (Malachi 3:7)

Rather than rendering existence meaningless, this interpersonal relationship with the Creator addresses the depth of human longing for significance, fellowship, and truth.

Conclusion

Existentialism, in its diverse forms, seeks to answer fundamental questions about freedom, meaning, and self-understanding. It stresses the individual’s subjective experience, the reality of anxiety over one’s choices, and the longing for authenticity. Some existentialists see no divine grounding for value, while others propose that genuine existential fulfillment is found only in the infinite.

Viewed through the larger lens of Scripture, existential ideas about individuality and authentic choice intertwine with the biblical assertion that humans are purposed by a living, personal God. Far from an indifferent or incoherent universe, the testimony of creation and the invitation of God in Scripture offer a compass that addresses both the freedom and responsibility championed by existential thinkers. Consequently, existentialism’s focus on personal awakening can find completeness when united with the abiding hope and purpose offered by the Lord, whose eternal nature stands outside the fluctuations of human angst.