Man’s Moral Compass & the Absolute Standard (PART 3)

MORALITY. Where does it come from, what is the standard, and who can make such a declaration? These are all things I’ve touched on in this series. In PART 1, I wrote on whether one must subscribe to theism if there is a desire to claim a sense of morality. In PART 2, I highlighted some critical requirements that must be met within a theistic worldview if there is any desire to be consistent. As we conclude this series, I am now prepared to make the case as to why the God of the Bible is the only way to consistently hold to a moral standard.

If we can agree with the points raised in the previous article, it means we must identify which deity meets the following: monotheistic, wise, immutable, absolute, and is a sole source of authority. I assert the God of Scripture is the only one who meets all of these requirements and more. Of course, there are many out there who claim to follow the Bible, yet they worship a counterfeit deity. They bow to a false god that is an idol of their own making. For instance, Mormons will readily teach that their god was once a man who became exalted. This immediately crosses immutability off the list. However, if God is subject to change, it means the standard of right and wrong are also subject to change. We can go through any of the popular Christian cults, and we’ll arrive at the same outcome. Their false god is always disqualified in one way or another and can never be the absolute standard of unchanging morality that we must all subscribe to.

By now, I’ve broken down why atheism simply does not work when it comes to identifying the source of morality, and it fails in an epic manner when it tries to thrust itself upon others for no greater reason than mob rule. I’ve also broken down but a handful of the required traits that must exist within a theistic worldview. I feel the point has been made, and there would be little benefit in rehashing them just for the sake of filling space. With that, I’d rather turn to the Scriptures as a vindication of truth. As per the Word, the God of the Bible alone is:

MONOTHEISTIC

You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him. --Deuteronomy 4:35, NASB

For You are great, and you do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. --Psalm 86:10, NASB

This is what the Lord says, He who is the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. --Isaiah 44:6, NASB

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. --John 17:3

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. --James 2:19

WISE

Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; --Psalm 104:24a, NASB

For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. --Proverbs 2:6

Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! --Romans 11:33

to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. --Romans 16:27, NASB

IMMUTABLE

The plan of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. --Psalm 33:11, NASB

For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, the sons of Jacob, have not come to an end. --Malachi 3:6, NASB

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. --James 1:17, NASB

ABSOLUTE

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. --Psalm 147:5, NASB

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. --Job 42:2, NASB

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable. --Isaiah 40:28, NASB

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; --Isaiah 46:10

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. --John 1:3

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” --Revelation 1:8, NASB

SOLE SOURCE OF AUTHORITY

Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. --Romans 13:1

But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; --Acts 1:7, NASB

one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. --Ephesians 4:6, NASB

Scripture speaks for itself. Where the false gods have mouths that cannot speak (Psalm 115:5), the God of the Bible has made His declaration through Scripture that we might know Him (Philippians 3:10) and be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). There is simply no denying that the Christian God is the only deity who meets these standards. If one’s deity fails to meet any one of the above, it may as well fail to meet all of them, because it is now precluded from ever being qualified to declare a standard of morality to all of creation. As for the atheist, I fully expect they will continue to reject the very premise of this series, let alone agree with any of the points made within. But this shouldn’t be unexpected. After all, the very Scripture which declares everything above also declares:

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. --Romans 1:18-23, NASB

Thankfully, the truth of God and His standard of morality do not rely on the suppression of feeble and fickle men. We would do well to recognize it and subscribe to it with pure joy. Morality is neither random nor changing. It is neither the result of mob rule nor utilitarian in purpose. It is the righteous and uncompromising standard set forth before all of creation by the one and only living God. Soli Deo Gloria!

~Travis W. Rogers