Beyond Absurdity
“I saw the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and chasing after wind.”
The writer of Ecclesiastes conveys deep psychological and spiritual honesty that touches the reader's heart. The writer of Ecclesiastes is not shy about grappling with life’s fatalism. Many people of faith expect to feel groovy and good every minute, or God isn’t doing the divine job. Instead, Ecclesiastes isn’t shy about diving into the realm of doubt, where absurdity can take hold.
In his article “Life is Absurd. It Always Has Been. It Will Always Be,” Thomas Oppong shares examples of philosophical writers addressing absurdity. Oppong shares how Albert Camus’ motivation. At 28, Camus witnessed Europe “tearing itself apart” as World War II began. In Camus’ book The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus addresses suicide by addressing the question, “If life is meaningless, the first question you must answer is: why continue?” Philosophy’s response is “Surely there must be a reason out there. There isn’t. Life is absurd. The only sensible thing to do is to get used to it.” Yet, Camus realizes that “Despair doesn’t work.”
Camus responds, “So a better way is transcending the absurd.” Sisyphus is a character in Greek mythology. He was condemned by the gods and forced to push a gigantic boulder up a hill, for all eternity. Instead of falling into despair, Sisyphus no longer viewed the boulder as a punishment and reframed his situation not as bitter with the gods, but as accepting pushing the boulder as his calling; he finds acceptance, and acceptance leads to freedom. Hope comes from embracing life's process.
What makes Camus’ writing relevant in 2026 is that we all feel moments of despair due to life’s absurdity. Yet rather than accept the process of an absurd life, we can embrace and follow the process of faith. Faith in our Triune God answers secular absurdity. Life continues beyond death’s oblivion. Faith has a process on this earth, but it focuses on love, compassion, justice, and renewal. We are not left to our own devices, pushing our obligatory boulder. Instead, God instructs and empowers us so we will reach the top of the hill at our death and celebrate eternally. The answer to despair is not embracing absurdity, but trusting in the God who continues to create, redeem, and sustain us always.
