Jean-Paul Sartre was among leading existentialists in the 1900’s. He, among others, provided the mantra, "Essence precedes essence" which was highly controversial during this time. However, Sartre explained, in an inanimate object, such as a chair, existence precedes essence. The essence of the chair, the idea or the concept behind the chair, exists before a chair is actually made. After a chair is physically present, then it exists. However, before that, only it’s essence is truly present, it does not really exist yet. Thus, existence precedes essence for a chair, a table, or even a piano.
If that is indeed true, what do Christians mean when they say that humans are made in God’s image? (Genesis 1:27) Do they mean that humans are made in His existence, or His essence? I believe that to be made in God’s image is to be made like Him. But, is God an existence or an essence? I believe that God is both. God exists in that He is as real (or, even more real) than you or I. God is also an essence in that He is an idea, and a concept, simply one that is real, and larger than anything we can dream. So, are we, as humans, made in God’s existence or His essence? I believe we are made in both. We are made in God’s existence in that we only exist because God does, and we cannot exist without God existing also. We are made in God’s essence, because we are made of a variety of concepts that reflect and glorify God.
Sartre believes that human existence precedes human essence. "Man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself." Sartre was also a self-proclaimed atheist, truly believing that there really was not a "God" anywhere in the universe. Because Sartre was an atheist, he could not have believed that God had a plan for his life. (Jeremiah 29:11) If a man truly lives, then dies, with nothing before or after, how can his essence precede his existence? To him, it was a simple matter of logic. To Christians, it’s a simple matter of faith.
As a Christian, I cannot agree with Sartre that my existence precedes my essence. To the world it may appear to be that way, but I know that God knew my essence before I was born. From the world’s perspective, my existence may precede my essence. However, from God’s perspective, and a Christian’s perspective, I firmly believe that my essence was known before my conception on Earth. God does not need us, as humans, to "choose our essence" while we "exist," but, rather plans our essence for us in His plan, because He is all-knowing. Therefore, my essence precedes my existence. |
