Existentialism

Existentialism is a philosophy that thrived in the 20th century and still affects theology today. Basically it teaches that meaning in life comes from one's will. Descartes said "I think therefore I am." The existentialist says "I assert my will therefore I am."

It derives from Soren Kierkegaard (late 19th century) and is taken up in the 20th century by philos0phers such as Jean Paul Sartre.

In theology it is practiced by Paul Tillich (mid 20th century), Rudolf Bultmann (mid 20th century) and in a popular way by Rick Warren (contemporary). Bultmann like other modernists had given up on the historial truth of the Bible and so they wrongly taught that the power of the Gospel is not to forgive sins, but to have an impact on people's wills and move them to hope, whether or not Jesus had risen from the dead or not. With Rick Warren (a disciple of the works of Kierkegaard) it takes on a popular twist. Rick Warren believes in the historicity of the Bible but like Bultmann, he does not stress the forgiveness of sins (blood atonement) but a changed life, e.g. a purpose driven life. The purpose of the Bible however, is not to give us a purpose filled life but to bring us forgiveness.