The Moral Code

There are roughly two accounts regarding the universe: 1) The materialistic/atheistic explanation posits that matter and space were created spontaneously and that thinking creatures evolved by some fluke without any purpose; 2) The more common perspective is the religious view. According to this view, a mind or spirit created the universe. This spirit or mind is aware, has created a purposeful universe, and prefers specific guidelines be followed.

All of us possess an internal conviction of right and wrong. If someone cuts in front of us, we feel the rascal has violated a clear code of conduct. The atheist contends we learn the difference between right and wrong from society or has evolved from our natural instincts for survival. Yet, there are moral dilemmas in which two instincts conflict.

Imagine you hear a cry for help. You will likely feel two conflicting desires—one to help and the other to avoid danger. Then comes a third feeling—the Moral Law compels you to intervene regardless. This third inner voice that demands that we choose between the two instincts must come from God. God, the existence behind the universe, is deeply invested in proper conduct—in fairness, unselfishness, courage, honesty, and truthfulness. The Moral Law instructs you to do what is right, regardless of how painful, dangerous, or challenging the task may be.

We receive a moral code—our ethics—not from a materialistic view but from the universal, purposeful mind. Morality derives from a divine code conveyed to humanity through revelation and conscience. The purpose of prophets and religious teachers—Moses, Buddha, Socrates, Augustine—is to remind us of the Moral Law. All religions and myths contain at least a hint of the truth. They can be divided into three basic units.

Pantheism: Held by Hindus, Buddhists, and the great Prussian philosopher Hegel, this belief asserts that everything in the universe is part of God. With this view, a cancer or a slum is also God.

Dualism is the belief that there are two equal and independent powers at the back of everything, one of them good and the other bad, and that this universe is the battlefield in which they fight out an endless war. The problem with dualism is this: Who determines which is the good power or the bad power?

Christianity teaches that this world is inherently good but has gone astray. God granted humanity free will, which makes evil possible. God’s purpose for us is the joy of being freely and voluntarily united with Him and each other in love and delight. This design enables us to choose God and his blessings of love, joy, and peace or reject the God of the universe and dwell in a world void of comfort.

The Dark Power: A mighty evil spirit in the universe holds the power of destruction, despair, deceit, disease, and death. The universe is a battleground between good and evil, angels and demons, light and dark, death and life. Christianity teaches this Dark Power came from what God created. What was originally good became evil by a rebellion against God. Christians believe the leader of this rebellion is Satan. The universe is in a civil war—Satan and the dominions of evil have rebelled against God and the goodness of the universe.

Christianity teaches that Satan is a fallen angel. The traits that enable Satan to be effectively evil—intelligence, talent, motivation, and attractiveness—are, in themselves, good. Evil people use good virtues for bad reasons, for selfish gain.

The moment we exist, there is the desire to put ourselves first. Satan reinforces the idea that we could be like God. Out of that futile effort comes the quest for power, prestige, and property that breeds social unrest, class conflict, demagogs, tyrants, agitators, war, poverty, and slavery. Pride is the ultimate evil —the vice that caused Satan to rebel against God. Pride is the all-embracing, anti-God state of mind.

God gave us Jesus Christ to make things right with the Lord of the universe and overcome the problem of evil. Christ teaches us to love God—to give up our selfish desires and, in turn, bring tender kindness, joy, and peace to ourselves and others while receiving comfort from a compassionate God who wants the best for us and cares for each one of us.