The Chief Aim of Humankind

When the English and Scottish reformers of the mid-1600s were composing the shorter version of material that would be used to teach new converts the basics of the Christian faith, they began by considering humankind. Specifically, the second generation of British reformers asked 'What is the chief end (or aim) of man?' (Yes, they used the archaic term 'man' to reference all-people). Today, we would probably phrase it differently: What is humankind's primary purpose? But the point is the same. Why are we here? What are we for?

They answered: 'The chief end (or aim) of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever' (Question 1, The Westminster Shorter Catechism). Being scrupulous readers of Scripture, they drew their answer from the deep well of God's holy word. They understood that our primary purpose was two-fold because Scripture said so.

1. The Bible proclaimed the central importance in our lives of rendering glory to God: '...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God' (1 Corinthians 10.31b) and 'For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen' (Romans 11.36).
2. It also taught that our highest purpose is to take great delight in God (Psalm 73.25-28).

When pondering one of the greatest questions of our existence, what is the purpose of life, the British reformers didn't look inwards, to themselves, or outwards, to the Church or human knowledge for the answer. They turned to a higher authority, Scripture. As the revealed word of God, Scripture was able to provide them with the knowledge of the chief aim of all humankind. It also is able to do the same for us.

It has become popular to wonder why on earth we humans are here. Some people say there is no purpose to human existence; we're simply products of the blind forces of nature. Others say we're a curse to the earth because we drain earth's most precious resources and lay waste to our environment and other species. The Bible says something far different. It says we were created for a great purpose. The men who composed The Westminster Standards learned the purpose as they carefully and thoughtfully and prayerfully studied Scripture. We can gain much wisdom from them who gained much wisdom from God's revealed word.