MATERIALISM

"Materialism" is commonly used in two different senses. (a) Philosophical materialism is the idea that nothing exists except that which is material in nature (i.e., composed of matter). There is, therefore, no spiritual Being known as "God" (Jn. 4:24). Moreover, man, according to this view, does not possess a "soul" or "spirit." He is totally a material being. When his body dies, his existence is over. This philosophy is terribly inadequate to explain so many things. For example, it cannot explain the origin of the Universe. Since the Universe is not eternal, and inasmuch as no material thing has the ability to create itself, materialism is left with no explanation as to its genesis. Materialism cannot explain the numerous traits unique to mankind, e.g., a sense of right and wrong, emotions like love, compassion, or a sense of esthetics, e.g., beauty. Materialism is a cold, dark ideology with no logic or comfort. (b) Practical materialism is the attempt to find lasting satisfaction in material things. It reflects a lifestyle wherein one lives as if there is nothing but matter. It finds an expression in covetousness, greed, slavish ambition to get ahead, unconcern for the needs of others, etc. (see Mt. 6:19ff; Lk. 12:15ff; 16:19ff). This ideology ignores the reality that the material is temporal, while the non-material is eternal (2 Cor. 4:18).