Morality Points to God

In this article, I’m exploring another argument for the existence of God—a step that helps build the foundation for the Christian faith, as I explained in my Historical Case for Christ article. This is known as the Moral Argument: the idea that morality points beyond ourselves to a consistent, intelligent Creator.

This line of reasoning was popularized by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. Let’s unpack it.

Is There Real Right and Wrong?

The first question we must ask is whether morality is real and objective, or simply subjective and created by humans.

From an atheistic perspective, morality is often viewed as a social construct—rules that help people survive but have no ultimate foundation. If the universe came about by chance, then there is no ultimate purpose, and moral values have no real authority. In such a view, why not just do whatever you want?

Yet reality doesn’t fit that picture. Across cultures and throughout history, people have recognized a remarkably consistent moral code: values like honesty, courage, fairness, and the wrongness of murder. The differences between societies are small compared to the overwhelming similarities. Even when people deny morality in theory, they live as though right and wrong are real.

C.S. Lewis put it this way:

“People may be sometimes mistaken about them; just as people sometimes get their sums wrong; but they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion any more than the multiplication table.”
— Mere Christianity

This points to a universal truth: morality is not just personal preference. It reflects something greater than ourselves.

Where Does Morality Come From?

If morality is real, where does it come from?

Atheism struggles to give a satisfying answer. If morals are merely social conventions, why do we feel them so deeply? Why do people follow their conscience even when society says otherwise? And why do we instinctively recognize selfishness, cruelty, or apathy as wrong—even when acting on them might benefit us?

If we were merely animals shaped by chance, we would have no reason to care about justice, love, or sacrifice. Yet we do. Something in us longs for a moral law and condemns its violation.

The Christian worldview explains this: morality comes from God. Conscience is His imprint on humanity, calling us to live according to His design. Our desire for justice, purpose, and goodness reflects the One who created us with value and responsibility.

Why Morality Points to God

When we step back, the picture becomes clear.

• Morality is real and consistent.
  
  
• Atheism cannot adequately explain its source or authority.
  
  
• Christianity explains it naturally: a moral law implies a Moral Lawgiver.
  
  

Paul E. Little summarizes it well:

“Lewis says the moral law cannot be merely a social convention. It is more like a mathematical table, he tells us… Hence, if there is a moral law, there must be a moral lawgiver.”
— Know Why You Believe

Logically, the clear existence of morality points to a Creator because atheism cannot explain where it came from, why it’s here, and where it will take us. 

This argument does not by itself prove Christianity—but it does strongly point to the existence of God. It shows that the universe is not cold and purposeless but created by a personal and moral Being.

From there, the next step is to consider whether God has revealed Himself in history. That is why I invite you to read my article, The Historical Case for Christ, where I explain why Jesus is the fullest revelation of God and the reason morality, purpose, and truth ultimately find their home in Him.