Idealism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the central role of ideas, thoughts, and mind over physical reality. It proposes that fundamental features of reality are grounded in the mind or in the forms of perception. Under idealism, the mind or spirit is the ultimate foundation of all that exists, the primary essence and the core of all life and existence.
The Bible presents a view of reality that in some ways aligns with idealism. It teaches that God is spirit (John 4:24), and that the eternal, immaterial qualities are more fundamental than the transient material world. However, the Bible differs from philosophical idealism in asserting that both the spiritual and physical realms are real. God created the physical universe and declared it good (Genesis 1). So biblical Christianity affirms a dualism between spirit and matter, rather than dismissing the physical world as illusory.
Several biblical principles resonate with idealistic emphases on the primacy of the mind and spirit:
- God’s thoughts and plans are more fundamental than physical reality. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
- Physical things are temporary, but God’s truth endures forever. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)
- Outward appearances can be deceiving, but God looks at the heart. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
- The physical body decays, but the inward self is renewed. “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
- The seen world is fleeting, but the unseen world is eternal. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
A core theme in Scripture is the distinction between outward professions of faith and inward spiritual states. Jesus repeatedly clashed with Pharisees who honored God externally while inwardly harboring pride and greed (Luke 11:39). The prophets condemned Israel for empty religious rituals without righteous living (Isaiah 1:11-17). Paul explains that true circumcision is of the heart, by the spirit, not just external rituals (Romans 2:28-29).
So idealism’s emphasis on the primacy of spirit over physical matter finds resonances in the Bible. However, Scripture stops short of totally discounting the physical world as illusion or denying its realness. God created the physical world and revealed Himself within it. But the Bible does subordinate the temporal physical realm to the eternal spiritual reality centered in God.
Several biblical principles challenge idealism’s dismissal of physical reality:
- God created the physical world and declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). It has intrinsic goodness as part of God’s purposeful design.
- God reveals Himself through the physical creation. “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” (Romans 1:20)
- God took on human flesh in Christ, affirming the goodness of the physical world he created. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)
- Redemption involves the renewal of all creation, including the physical earth. “The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21)
- Our eternal state will be physical resurrection bodies, not just ethereal spirits. “The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed… this mortal body must put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:52-53)
So Christianity affirms that the spiritual realm is more fundamental than the physical, but declines to dismiss creation as an illusion. Both the spiritual and physical are anchored in the eternal purposes of God.
How then should Christians evaluate idealism? Here are a few key points that emerge from a biblical perspective:
- Ideas alone cannot fully explain existence. The physical world was created by God and has intrinsic importance.
- The spiritual dimension is more eternal than the physical, but both are real and good.
- Outward forms and rituals are spiritually meaningless without righteous inner states.
- Appearances can be deceptive, so focus on the heartorientation to God.
- Cherish spiritual renewal over physical comforts or status.
- Keep an eternal perspective amid temporary trials.
- Use physical realities to glorify God, not idolize them.
- Eagerly anticipate the redemption of all creation, when physical reality will perfectly reflect God’s nature.
In summary, biblical Christianity shares idealism’s emphasis on spiritual realities but stops short of denying the physical world. Both the visible and invisible, matter and spirit, are anchored in the eternal purposes of the Creator. Focusing on knowing God rather than just external rituals cultivates inward spiritual renewal amid changing physical circumstances. Cherishing things eternal over things temporary brings meaning amid trials. And anticipating the full redemption of all creation inspires purposeful living today.