You don't need God to be a good person.

Response

Christians should readily agree that many atheists and people of other faiths are morally admirable, sometimes more so than Christians. Romans 2:14-15 says that God's law is written on human hearts.

But there is a difference between being good and explaining why anything is good. If there is no God, morality seems to come down to evolution, culture, or personal preference. In that case, "cruelty is wrong" is ultimately no more objectively true than "I prefer chocolate."

Yet most of us are convinced that some things, such as torturing children for fun, are really wrong, not just unpopular. If objective moral values exist, they need a foundation beyond human opinion. God's own good character provides that foundation.

Christianity also addresses another problem: none of us is consistently good. Even our best efforts fall short. The gospel is not that good people go to heaven, but that God offers grace to people who know they are not good enough.

Key evidence

• Romans 2:14-15 teaches that all people have God's moral law written on their hearts.
• Most people across cultures believe some acts are objectively wrong.
• Atheist philosophers have debated whether objective morality can exist without God.

Bible passages

• Romans 2:14-15 The law written on human hearts.
• Genesis 1:27 All people made in God's image.
• Mark 10:18 "No one is good except God alone."
• Ephesians 2:8-10 Saved by grace, created for good works.

Discussion questions

1. Why do you think almost everyone believes some things are truly wrong?
2. What is the difference between being good and explaining why something is good?
3. How does grace change the question "Am I good enough?"

Related questions

• If God is good, why is there so much evil and suffering?
• The church is full of hypocrites.