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Corey Dunn

Professor Sung

English 113

8 February 2018

Carpe Diem: Theological Evaluation

Carpe Diem throughout history has taken many directions, however, the broad concept

has remained the same much throughout its creation. The phrase “Carpe Diem” (Horace) [seize

the day] is described as enjoying life’s pleasures without worry of the future. The idea of this

principle means to celebrate life on a day by day basis, and to not put focus on what is uncertain

after death. Christian belief however, holds a more positive outlook on the future through the

existence of eternity and an acceptance God. The concept of Carpe Diem, which glorified

drinking excessive amounts of wine, to having sex with partners whom they were not married to,

were all what the world had become accustom to. Poets and philosophical writers alike, had

developed a pessimistic view of time duration on life, and the distrust of religion. Due to these

beliefs, Carpe Diem cannot reflect the principles of Christianity because of its disconnect to the

belief of God, and his promise of eternal life.

To live a life from a Christian standpoint, the bible explains that by living well and

understanding your purpose and to where it leads you shall all be seen by God. As stated in

Ecclesiastes, “You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you

joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see but

know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement” (11.9). This notion means that

one would not hold the same idea of carpe diem and the negative view of the future in the same

way as seizing the day would be seen through the beliefs of a Christian who would not deny the
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existence of God and his promise of eternal life. The passage clearly explains how one can seize

their moment from a bible-based perspective; by enjoying the things in life but also being

accountable for one’s actions with the understanding that those actions will be acknowledged on

the day of judgement.

The notion of eternal life goes against the views of carpe diem throughout its existence.

The belief that life had no meaning and when you died, there was nothing thereon, made the

writers feel that they should live however they wanted to live. This was the reason behind the

concept of living to the fullest by doing whatever it is one wants before time runs out. As

explained by Albert Camus “A man’s rule of conduct and his scale of value have no meaning

except through the quantity and variety of experiences he has been in position to accumulate”.

(485) However, Christian Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard has a different take on this idea. His

notion of life being eternal was expressed in a passage from his book Purity of Hearts Is to Will

One Thing;

If there is, then, something eternal in man, it must be able to exist and to be

grasped within every change. Nor can it be wisdom to say, indiscriminately, that

this something eternal has its time like the perishable, that makes its circle like the

wind that never gets further…For repentance is precisely the relation between

something past and someone that has his life in the present time. (3)

This passage implies that the things one does in life for enjoyment will stay with them

until their judgement. Which in turn knowing the promise of eternal life makes them more aware

of the actions they conduct and prevents them of diverting from anything that can leave a

negative image like that of becoming a drunkard, or thief for example, that they must now carry

with them forever. While one may still accomplish the idea of Carpe Diem, they would now
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focus on more meaningful actions that will be in line with the principles of the bible. This

concept holds to not merely seize a day for enjoyment, rather seizing an eternity of bliss.

In addition, the notion of being accountable for ones’ actions is one that based upon the

idea of seizing the day throughout history, is quite contrary. If one is to not have faith in eternity,

then that person would not believe in the biblical concept of deeds being collected or even the

idea of judgment day. It is here that in Ecclesiastes, it is said that every deed is weighed on the

day of judgment as stated, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear

God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every

deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (12.13-14). It is in

this passage that one understands the purpose in life, which is to live by Gods word, and know

that God is with us always. He sees all our actions, and the actions we commit whether good or

bad, will be read on the day of judgment.

In short, Carpe Diem from a Christian worldview means to strive for ones’ passions in

life, but also know what is right and morally appropriate and is honoring Gods word. One cannot

achieve such things if they are committing acts of sin. Whether it be becoming a drunkard,

having unwedded sex, or frivolously drinking of wine, they all go against the word of God. It is

these concepts that dictate whether you are to have everlasting life in the city of God or not. As

stated in Revelation; “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to

the tree of life and that they enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the

sexually immoral and the murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices

falsehood” (22.14-15) This passage describes those who chose to follow the word of God and

used Carpe Diem to better their lives in preparation for their day of judgement and those who

conducted themselves in such ways of sin by way of carpe diem were not permitted entrance into
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heaven, and were punished by being, “Consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation

21.6). It is for these reason, the notions of carpe diem go against the Christian worldview. From

denying the existence of life eternal, living a life of sin, to not knowing ones’ purpose, are all in

violation of the order of God. In contrast, it is the belief of the Christian to seize the day by

knowing that there is an eternal life, to live a life that reflects the image of God and immerse

themselves in the idea of becoming a better person in all aspects of their lives. It will be these

actions of seizing the day by using the principles of the bible for a better purpose in life and

adhering to the word of God that will be grant access to the heavenly city to live eternity with the

joy they spent their lives reaching to seize.

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Works Cited

Kierkegaard, Soren. Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing. New York: Harper 1948. Print.

Cox, Samuel. The book of Ecclesiastes. London: Hodder and Stoughton 1890. Print.

“New International Bible: Revelation 21-22” Biblica, Inc 1973 web.