It seems to me that our atheistic secular humanist friends should take note of the life of Friedrich Nietzche, the godfather of their movement, who declared (long before the Beatles did) that “God is dead” (The Gay Science, 1882, and several others).
Christianity, he screamed from the printed page and the lecture hall, legislates a “heard-like slave morality” that stifles individualism and creativity: the driving force (according to him) that is the ultimate human instinct–not Darwin’s evolutionary “self-preservation,” but his own ultimate: the “will to power.”
Nietzche is considered a genius, a philosopher of philosophers, by his followers; and they are many. Born and raised in a Christian household, his eternal soul never let his contrary ‘logic’ rest. His torment, ignored today by his followers, shows in his writings. His unrelenting opposition to the truth that is God drove him to insanity. In The Madman, he mused, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murders of all murders.”
In an unguarded moment, the soul of the atheist, speaking of the depths that the German spirit had fallen into, saw a glimmer of hope for the future: “Thank God!” the atheist proclaimed in his essay “On Peoples and Countries.” Deep in his soul he knew, for God has given each of us the knowledge certain of the God who “is the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1: 9). All of us. Each of us. Not a biblical ‘chapter and verse’ knowledge, but a certainty that there is a God who is above all and creator of all.
Many have interpreted and re-interpreted Neitzche; many have based their athiestic philosophical theologies on his teaching. But he knew only too well the battle that raged within. His mind could never control the still small Voice planted by the Holy Spirit through his family of clergy and theologians. He died hopelessly insane. The popular “cause” given was an overwhelming despair over the poor sales of his books. Wrestling with the most profound mysteries of existence, and he obsessed into the depths of insanity because a book didn’t sell?
The real reason was his adamant rejection of the God he knew to be, not only real, but alive and well: Creator, Savior, and communicating Sustainer of all (Hebrews 1: 1-3)–the sovereign God of eternity. God communicates to the unrepentant as well as the repentant. The difference is that His communication with the sinner is to convict and condemn, while offering salvation. Here Neitzche lost his battle of self-will and human logic to his Creator.
Jesus said, “Whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:15). Neitzche was included in that promise, but he rejected that universal offer by Jesus Christ. You are included, too. You can still accept Him.
Neitzche’s insanity was caused by his realization of what the eternity he railed against had in store for him. You still have a choice. A choice with eternal consequences.
What Neitzche rejected was what he needed the most–then “peace (of mind and soul) that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7) that is a gift of God when you accept Him as your personal Savior–establishing an eternal fellowship, a relationship, with God Himself. We each need this as much as Neitzche did.