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California Baptist University

Christian View on Carpe Diem

Theology

Lance Sao Melendez-Heart

English 113
Professor Sung
31 July, 2016
Carpe Diem, seize the day, live one day at a time, most of us have
heard these phrases at least once in our life, but what do they mean? Carpe

Diem can be interpreted in many different ways; this verse is partially

intended for those not saved to consider themselves standing in front of God.
For Christians however this carries the most weight because this puts a clock
on life. No day is guaranteed to us, we must live our lives one day at a time
and try to follow a holy path as we live day to day. Psalms 39:4 is a good
example of this "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of
my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" Most of us want to know how long
until our days are done and we are back with our creator, but this is
something that is not known by anyone but God himself. Live life to the
fullest (Carpe Diem) followers of Christ live this motto day to day because we
do not know when we will be home with our Lord and Savior. This phrase is
what all people should live by, whether you believe in Christianity, Judaism,
Muslim, Buddhism or any other religion the thing these religions have in
common is that we all believe in a higher power; God.
Albert Camus' Absurd Freedom is an example of living each day like it
is your last, he speaks about absurdity. The absurd man expresses that he
wants to live life, but only with what he can be sure of. "He does not want to
do anything but what he fully understands. He is assured that this is the sin
of pride, but he does not understand the notion of sin; that perhaps hell is in
store but he has not enough imagination to visualize that strange future; that
he is losing immortal life, but that seems to him an idle consideration." (478)
Although this absurd man is unsure of what he cannot fully understand, as
Christians we have faith that although we may not physically see God, we

know that he exists in a capacity that is beyond us. As the absurd man states
"the hell of the present is his kingdom at last" (478) this statement
represents a component of Carpe Diem that is not always explored, which is
that the moment we are living may not always be pleasant but we must live
it and embrace even those unpleasant moments.
Ecclesiastes is an example that if we live our life one day at a time we
should think of the consequences of our actions. The purpose of this book is
to spare future generations the suffering and misery of seeking fooling,
meaningless, materialistic emptiness, and to offer wisdom by discovering
truth in seeking after God. Solomon expresses in Ecclesiastes 2:10, And
whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no
pleasure. This idea plays a large part in the concept of Carpe Diem. Living
life like it is your last can become complicated if you give in to all of your
hearts desires, especially if you are tempted of give into sin. Solomon gives
the reader advices the reader to have a meaningful life, "Consider the work
of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent?"(7:13).
In Christianity we are taught to believe that if we live with God in our
hearts, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we will be forgiven of our
sins. Solomon reiterates this fact in Ecclesiastes by stating "The conclusion,
when all has been heard, is: Fear God and keep His commandments, because
this applies to every person." (12:13). This explains that everyone will
eventually die and all our deeds will be useless without God, our obedience

must be to Him. If we live life to the fullest, day to day we must take the
advice of Solomon the man whom God gave the most wisdom, who also
realized at the attempt to find everlasting happiness concluded "All that my
eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any
pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my
reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands
had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and
striving after the wind and there was no profit under the sun. (2:10-11).
Winters Dream by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a contradiction on the biblical
view of Carpe Diem. The way Carpe Diem is portrayed is through wealth,
power, and beauty. "he wanted not association with glittering things and
glittering people-- he wanted the glittering things themselves." we are taught
to live humble lives and always put God first, not material objects. "often he
reached out for the best without knowing why he wanted it--and sometimes
he ran up against the mysterious denials and prohibitions in which life
indulges." materialism is a fixation with material things, rather than
intellectual or spiritual things. Any preoccupation other than God is sinful and
displeasing to God. As Deuteronomy 6:5 explains "love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might". Having
nothing but materialistic goals can sway or jeopardize your relationship with
our Lord and Savior.

As Christians we should follow the concept of Carpe Diem, but we

should use it as a tool to glorify God. seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness (Matthew 6:33). If we follow Gods path and live every day to
the fullest, help others, and glorify Him, Carpe Diem will be a phrase to live
by. If we interpret this phrase in a way that does not glorify God, and use it
for our own material gains, our Christian values will be compromised. Living
life to the fullest can have great outcomes for many, on the other hand if
interpreted incorrectly it can be hurtful to many. None of us are guaranteed
tomorrow, so it important that we follow in Gods footsteps and live like it is
our last day. Making sure that we have a relationship with God, and give to
others. Ephesians (5:15-16), NIV "Be very careful, then, how you live not as
unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity"

Works Cited
Bible, 1971. Reuben A. Olson et al., New American Standard Bible. La Habra,
California: Foundation Press Publications, publisher for the Lockman
Foundation, 1971.
Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays. New York, NY:
Vintage, 1991
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Winter Dreams. Juniper Grove. 29 May 2009. Print