Humanity has not only reimagined God but has also redefined its expectations. Among Christians, many believe happiness is a promise made by God Himself. But what if this pursuit is nothing more than a chase after illusions?
From ancient times to the present day, the mantra “seize the day” has been more than a catchphrase. It epitomizes a lifestyle centered on the pursuit of lasting happiness. In antiquity, hedonism emerged as a philosophical school advocating that pleasure was the ultimate goal of human existence. Though constructed artificially, happiness has come to be seen as an end in itself.
While the secular world brims with promises of regaining lost happiness, theology has also offered its share of such assurances. Certain religious interpretations even promise happiness within the bounds of earthly life.
This perspective was recently challenged by one of America’s most prominent Christian authors, Eric Metaxas, a biographer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Metaxas contends that happiness is an emotional state Christians should not actively seek.
“I want to be the skunk of the garden party and say that I think the whole idea of happiness is stupid,” Metaxas said at a leadership summit hosted by the American Enterprise Institute. According to him, happiness hinges on circumstances aligning with our desires. We feel happy when life is free of problems. But is this mindset compatible with the realities of Christian life?
“We all know that’s a very shallow concept. To me, chasing happiness is a fool’s errand. The idea that we can chase happiness, it’s like living your life for vacation or retirement,” Metaxas says. In other words, it’s a narrow and shallow objective.
Happiness or joy?
What stance should Christians adopt if happiness is not the recommended pursuit? Responding to this question posed by The Christian Post editors, Metaxas turned to a different term, one with profoundly different implications. In his view, joy should be the defining characteristic of a Christian, as it represents a permanent state, unlike the fleeting nature of happiness.
“To rejoice in the Lord in the midst of any circumstance is something that is not only possible, but it’s precisely what we were made to do,” Metaxas says.
His observation was echoed by Greg Thornbury, president of The King’s College in New York, who noted that the Christian world is currently witnessing an explosion of interest in the pursuit of happiness. “I’ve noticed the creep of this, particularly in Evangelical circles over the last decade, maybe 15 years, of talk about the common good, human flourishing and happiness,” Thornbury says.
A human Gospel, less divine
A striking example of this perspective was a recent statement by Victoria Osteen, wife of the renowned pastor Joel Osteen, who remarked that when people attend church, they don’t necessarily do it for God. “We’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy. Do good because God wants you to be happy,” she said.
Although the radical nature of Osteen’s comment drew criticism, her perspective on the essence of Christianity is part of a widely popular theological trend in the United States.
The so-called prosperity gospel is a byproduct of American optimism. Smiling faces have become the hallmark of a life philosophy centered on seeking and amplifying happiness. This cultural phenomenon has given rise to numerous motivational messages that intertwine theology with psychology.
At its core, this framework equates happiness—primarily of a material nature—with divine blessings that guarantee earthly prosperity.
In the view of journalist Andrew Brown of The Guardian, this theological-psychological equation could be considered “a mockery of Christianity.” He argues that “preachers who get rich by saying success is a mark of divine favour go against what Jesus taught.”
God’s scale
Prosperity theology is undeniably provocative, as it appears to align with the notion that God is working toward establishing eternal happiness on Earth. However, reducing happiness to health and wealth subtly displaces the genuine values of Christianity, replacing them with artificial practices and attitudes that construct an illusory sense of joy.
In truth, God never promised a life filled with endless euphoria. In fact, the opposite is more accurate. The Christian life is not exempt from troubles and trials; yet it is equally true that these hardships do not define human existence entirely.
Neglecting this balance has led to the development of distinct ways of expressing inner experiences. This divergence explains the striking contrast between the exuberant, reality-focused style of the West and the more somber, tragic tone of the East, shaped by Byzantine contemplative traditions.
Church iconography offers a compelling depiction of the relationship between happiness and the existential struggles that the Eastern tradition has cultivated for centuries.
Buddhism or Christianity?
Both perspectives, however, have often overlooked the kind of joy that can endure and deepen despite life’s challenges. This idea is highlighted in one of the books by Larry Crabb, a bestselling author, counselor, and psychologist known for his unconventional approaches.
In his book Shattered Dreams he provocatively suggests that the way Christians sometime behave is “more Buddhist than Christian.” While his statement may be unsettling, he elaborates, asking the following: “Is Jesus agreeing with Buddha in prescribing a form of contentment that requires us to cut off the nerve endings of our souls and to report peace when what we feel is a void?”
Crabb’s critique targets the desperate attempts by Christians to escape pain. He sees parallels between this mindset and Buddhism’s response to suffering, which focuses on achieving inner peace by suppressing desire.
People chasing happiness never find true joy. Instead, they live in pursuit of a version of Christian hedonism, becoming entirely self-centered. From there, it is only a short step to desensitizing the soul to suffering—a path that leads away from God. Only those willing to taste both joy and pain can discover the right path.