Why the Moral Argument Deserves a Comeback

Apologetics has no shortage of tools: cosmological arguments, historical evidence for the resurrection, and even design arguments rooted in physics. Yet one particular argument continues to fly under the radar in many academic circles: the moral argument.

For years, I’ve been puzzled by how little attention this argument receives, especially when it continues to be one of the most intuitively compelling arguments for ordinary people. In fact, I once buried my own treatment of the moral argument as a chapter in a broader work (Contending for the Truth), only to realize later that it deserved more visibility. That’s why I’ve now released The Moral Argument as a standalone book. It’s time to give this argument a second look.

A Commonsense Case with Surprising Depth

At its core, the moral argument simply says this: If objective moral values exist, then God exists. Objective moral values do exist. Therefore, God exists.

Of course, critics (and many Christians) have plenty to say about that. Some argue that morality can be explained by evolutionary biology or cultural development. But naturalistic theories run into a foundational problem. As I argue in the book:

“Naturalism cannot provide a good basis for any form of universal, objective morals simply because naturalism is necessarily a process of random chance and is subject to the idea of survival of the fittest.”

Others claim there’s no such thing as universal morals at all. And still others accuse the argument of begging the question.

But here’s the thing: nearly everyone lives as if objective morality is real. Even moral relativists typically draw moral lines somewhere, usually quite boldly. The same people who say morality is subjective will turn around and decry genocide, racism, or oppression. They instinctively know some things are just wrong. Always. Everywhere. For everyone.

This is why C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity still resonates today. He understood something modern academic circles sometimes forget: most people feel the weight of moral reality, even if they don’t know what to do with it.

History and Pushback

The moral argument may not have the philosophical elegance of some of the more popular arguments, but it has a long pedigree. From Plato and Augustine to Kant and Lewis, moral reasoning has been used to point beyond ourselves to something higher. Though some prominent scholars have dismissed it as the “least likely” to convince atheists, the truth is that many ordinary people have been deeply moved by its force.

In the book, I trace the historical development of the argument and engage directly with both its critics and supporters. I also evaluate some of the latest naturalistic attempts to explain morality apart from God, and why they ultimately fall short.

Scripture and Conscience

One of the most compelling aspects of the moral argument is its harmony with Scripture. Romans 1 and 2 affirm what the argument implies: that God has written His law on our hearts. There is a divine moral standard etched into human nature, one that we may suppress, but cannot erase.

Paul writes that the Gentiles do what the law requires “by nature,” revealing that even those without the written law are still accountable to it. This is exactly what we would expect if objective morality were real and rooted in the character of God.

The Argument in Practice

What makes the moral argument valuable isn’t just its logical form; it is its practical use. This isn’t some abstract theory that only applies in philosophy seminars. It’s an everyday apologetic tool. When you’re talking to someone about God, and they bring up issues of justice, fairness, or human rights, they’re standing on moral ground that only makes sense in a theistic universe.

The moral argument won’t convince everyone. No argument will. But it might be the argument that resonates with someone you know. It’s also an encouragement to believers struggling with doubt. When you look at the world and know in your bones that some things are truly right or wrong, that knowledge isn’t a trick of evolution. It’s the fingerprint of your Creator.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned apologist or someone looking to deepen your faith, the moral argument is worth your time. Not because it’s trendy or academically fashionable, but because it speaks directly to something that every human being experiences: the undeniable reality of right and wrong.

My hope with this short book is to help revive this underutilized argument, clarify its strengths, and show how it fits into a broader apologetic strategy. If you’ve overlooked the moral argument in the past, maybe it’s time to give it another shot.

If you are interested in reading a more in-depth argument for the usefulness of the moral argument, I have a short book available in paperback and ebook. You can purchase it here: Amazon, Other Retailers