Rational Christian Answer To Ayn Rand

As a Christian I wish to respond to Ayn Rand's non-theistic and self-centered philosophy and arguments against Christian altruism. I am quite familiar with Ayn Rand's philosophy, and the fact is Ayn Rand would be totally correct if Darwinian macro-evolutionary theory were true. However, the actual and objective scientific evidence shows that there are natural limits to evolution in nature and that we are not here by chance or by macro-evolutionary processes (please read my essay "The Natural Limits of Evolution" on my website for more in-depth information). Therefore, there is a God to Whom Ayn Rand and all of us must give an account. God is not being egotistical. Truth demands that God be the Center of our lives.

True, science cannot prove God's existence, but neither can science prove that we are here by chance. The issue is which position is really the more rational one based on the actual and objective scientific data and evidence.

Ayn Rand misunderstands the concept of Christian altruism and the proper context in which Christian altruism is to be applied. Christian altruism does not mean that we should give to others unconditionally in all circumstances because that would not be for the true benefit of others. Christian love seeks what is for the true benefit of others, not whatever they desire or want. For example, the Bible teaches that a person who is not willing to work should not eat. Therefore, feeding such a person is wrong since it would only be helping to increase the selfishness of such a person.

There is a difference between selfness and selfishness. The first involves proper Biblical love and care for oneself as God intends. The latter is based on ego and pride. Christianity is not against legitimate self-interest. We are created in God's image so, of course, God would want us to love ourselves as well as to love others.

Ayn Rand rightly claims that "A" cannot be "non A" but she misapplies this principle in her critique of Christianity. For example, when Christ said that "the first shall be last and the last shall be first" there is no true contradiction (i.e. "A" being "non A"), as Ayn Rand claims, because in both of the cases in which the words "first" and "last" are used within the context of the passage they have different applications and reasons. Jesus was simply saying that in this world a person is considered "first" or "last" for different reasons than why a person is considered "first" or "last" in God's kingdom. Again, there is no real contradiction (i.e. there is no "A" equated with "non A").

According to Christian teaching, the individual (or self) is not an end but, rather, is a means to an end - that end being to live for God and to please Him and to do His will - all of which brings glory to God which is the chief purpose of our lives. Part of living for God is to love ourselves and to do good for ourselves as well as to love others and to do good for others because we are created in God's image and belong to Him and are owned and loved by Him.

Christianity is not against the enjoyment of material things; it is against the worship of material things. God alone is worthy of worship! The Bible does not teach that money itself is the root of all evil but rather the Bible teaches that it is "the love of money which is the root of all evil."

God is glorified when His creatures enjoy the provisions, bounty, and wealth (luxeries) that He provides, but if it is God's will and purpose in a particular case for an individual to sell all the luxeries he possess and to give the money to the needy and poor then it is only right that the individual do so. After all, everything belongs to God, even the wealth a person gains in this life for nothing would be possible without God's power and undeserving grace.

Contrary to Ayn Rand's assertion, there is no command in the the Scriptures for every Christian to sell all his wealth and give to the Church and to the poor. Rather, The New Testament says that every Christian should decide how much to give and to do so without any grudge because God loves a cheerful giver. But, every Christian is rightly commanded to give. The amount is between him and the Lord.

The above are just some of the Christian arguments refuting Ayn Rand's philosophy.

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The author, Babu G. Ranganathan, is an experienced Christian writer. He has his B.A. with academic concentrations in Bible and Biology. As a religion and science writer he has been recognized in the 24th edition of Marquis Who's Who In The East. Author's website: www.religionscience.com