BiblicalInsights.net

     William Provine, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the distinguished Cornell University has stated: “Naturalistic evolution has clear consequences that Charles Darwin understood perfectly.  1) No gods worth having exist; 2) no life after death exists; 3) no ultimate foundation for ethics exists; 4) no ultimate meaning in life exists; and 5) human free will is non-existent” (Kyle Butt, A Christian’s Guide to Refuting Modern Atheism,p. 87). Darwinian evolution affirms that there is no basis for morality.  Not all atheists agree with this premise which is somewhat surprising.  Dan Barker, a modern atheist, argues that “morality is simply acting with the intention to minimize harm.”  However, all atheistic morality is subjectively determined and consequently permits  every act including: genocide, infanticide, murder, rape, abortion, lying, stealing, etc. etc.  The ultimate appeal of Atheism is complete human autonomy.  With no universal principles guiding our conduct, we are left to decide for ourselves what is harmful or not harmful and so what is right for any individual.  The subjectivity of Dan Barker leads us right back to the affirmation of Provine concerning morality–there is no basis for ethics or morality.
     The Bible affirms that morality is linked to the nature of God.  It is inseparately connected to His love, holiness and justice.  God demands holiness (Heb. 12:14) without which no man shall see God.  God is love and love is the essence of all morality! 
     In Romans 13:8-10, Paul makes some important statements regarding love and morality.  Consider some of his main concepts.
     1.     A Christian should promptly pay all his debts, but there is one debt that he owes constantly and in all circumstances and that is to love one another.  Love is undefeatable, benevolent, goodwill.  It is a principle that one must will himself to fulfill.  It is commanded by God to man.  We choose to love or not to love.  However, we cannot please God and not love one another.
     2.     Love worketh no ill to his neighbor.  Love and law are related.  Love fulfills the law.  The verb fulfill (pleroun) means “to satisfy in full” or “to finish completely.”  It is used in the perfect tense to indicate an already finished action.  The law is entirely satisfied by love (Ceslaus Spicq, Agape in the New Testament, II, 57).  All morality is based in love!  What will atheists do with this argument?  Paul illustrates by citing five of the ten commandments and shows that the Mosaical law prohibited adultery, murder, stealing, lying and covetousness.  These actions are immoral because they violate the supreme virtue governing conduct between men–love!  Each one of these sins produces injury, harm, heartache and destruction and all are contrary to the principle of love.  The principle of love is objective and universal.  All morality is based in love.  All moral law is inclusive in love. 
     3.     Love is the fulfilling of the law.  Love is summed up (anakephalaioo) which means, “uniting several things about a single principle of harmony.”  Love is the principle.  The atheist cannot explain love!  The moral argument to prove theism is expressed in one word–love!  Discipline yourself in love and you will have the approval of God. 
     Love for God involves:  adoration given to God, attachment (covenant relationship) to God, gratitude to God where we present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him (Rom. 12:1-2), and consecration (fullness of commitment) to God.  Love for God and for our neighbor are absolutes that must be met if we are ever going to see God and be with Him eternally.
     Jesus was asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”  Jesus answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:36-39).