What is the definition of idealism?

TL;DR

Idealism claims reality is shaped by the human mind, but the Bible teaches that reality exists because God created it—long before anyone perceived it. Truth isn’t generated by our thoughts; it’s grounded in the authority of God and His Word.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The philosophy of idealism is not compatible with the Bible. The very first verse in the Bible, Genesis 1:1, tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. The rest of Genesis chapter 1 teaches that material things such as trees and animals were made before any human existed to perceive them. By creation we know there is a divine Creator (Psalm 19; Romans 1:20). Reality is based on what God has created, not on what the human mind produces. According to atheistic idealism, the human mind is the sole authority and basis for all reality. This directly contradicts biblical teaching that Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). To an idealist, Scripture has no relevance. Yet we know that the Bible is divinely inspired, not a human construct (2 Timothy 3:16). God and His Word are real and distinct from the human mind.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Most of Genesis 1 describes God’s creation of everything before He created humankind. This proves that the emptiness of philosophical idealism. All creation was prior to humankind, so creation is rooted in God, not people.

God is directly responsible for all reality. As David proclaimed, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2).

The philosophical idealist’s worldview is reminiscent of Satan’s temptation of Eve, claiming her disobedience to God would give her power that belongs only to God: “But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’” (Genesis 3:4-5).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Through the apostle Paul, God warns us against vain philosophies: "Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ" (Colossians 2:8, NLT).

Those who deny God’s creation are “suppress[ing] the truth” in “unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). As Paul wrote, God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Idealism encompasses a range of potentially seductive philosophical views about reality, the type of views believers are warned about in Colossians 2:8. Plato hypothesized a realm of unchanging, perfect ideas or "Forms" - such as the concept of a perfect circle or moral perfection - that exist independently of the physical world and serve as the true foundation of reality. According to Plato's view, the physical world is merely a shadow or imperfect reflection of this ideal realm. Later philosophers, such as Berkeley, Hegel, and Kant, have proposed other variants of idealism.

However, rather than follow idealism by presuming that our minds determine what is real, believers can instead align their thoughts with God's truth and reality through immersion in God's Word, prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2).

UNDERSTAND

Philosophical idealism holds that reality is fundamentally mental

Philosophical idealists believe that the material world depends on human minds or perception.

The truth about creation is in the Bible, which contradicts philosophical idealism.

REFLECT

Where are you tempted to trust your own thoughts, feelings, or perceptions more than God’s revealed truth in His Word?

How does recognizing God as the Creator of all reality shape the way you understand truth, authority, and meaning?

How do you guard against “empty philosophies” (Colossians 2:8)?

ENGAGE

What are some modern examples of “empty philosophies” that subtly elevate human thinking over God’s authority?

How can we clearly explain the difference between biblical truth and philosophical idealism?

How can we train others to engage philosophical ideas thoughtfully while remaining grounded in Scripture?