Come and See
Christianity & Existentialism: Freedom, Meaning, and the Self
This section takes existentialism seriously as a philosophy of freedom, meaning, and how to live, and states it at its strongest, in the words of Sartre, Camus, and Kierkegaard, before offering any Christian response. It covers whether meaning is made or given, radical freedom and anxiety, Camus and the absurd, Kierkegaard the Christian existentialist, and authenticity and the true self. No caricature, no pressure, read the thinkers and decide for yourself.
A note on tone: existentialism asks the hardest and most personal questions, about freedom, dread, meaning, and death, and Christianity does not think those questions are the enemy of faith. Bring them honestly. Everything here is an invitation to think, never a demand to agree.
Explore the questions
Meaning: made or given?Existentialism holds that there is no meaning built into the universe, so we must forge our own:…Freedom and anxietyExistentialism takes human freedom with radical seriousness: Sartre says we are 'condemned to be…The absurd (Camus)Albert Camus named 'the absurd' as the collision between our deep hunger for meaning and a unive…Kierkegaard and faithExistentialism is often traced back to a devout Christian: Soren Kierkegaard. Long before Sartre…Authenticity and the true selfExistentialism prizes authenticity: living as your own free self, owning your choices, and refus…
Frequently asked questions
- Does Living Bread take existentialism seriously?
- Yes. Existentialism is a serious philosophy about freedom, meaning, and how to live honestly, held by thoughtful people. We state it at its strongest, in the words of Sartre, Camus, and Kierkegaard themselves, before offering any Christian response, and never caricature it.
- What does this section cover?
- Whether meaning is made or given (Sartre), radical freedom and anxiety, Camus and the absurd, Kierkegaard the Christian existentialist and the leap of faith, and authenticity and the true self. Each page contrasts existentialism and Christianity fairly.
- Is existentialism the same as nihilism?
- No. Nihilism says there is no meaning, full stop. Existentialism agrees the universe hands us no built-in meaning, but insists we can and must create our own with courage and honesty. Camus in particular fought hard against despair. See our separate Christianity and Nihilism section.
Come and see, and choose freely
Existentialism prizes an honest, first-hand encounter over inherited answers. In that spirit, the most honest way to weigh Christianity is to read Jesus for yourself and see whether his account of freedom and meaning rings true. No belief is required to read it.
Read the Gospel of JohnKierkegaard: the Christian existentialistWhy Jesus?