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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Nov 19 min read

What Is Illusionism and Its Philosophical Background?

Illusionism is the philosophical belief that the external world, and often the experiences we undergo within it, are not real. Instead, they are illusions, mere deceptions of the senses. According to illusionism, the reality perceived by our senses is unreliable, and what is truly real exists beyond the material world, often understood in terms of mind or spirit.


Illusionism is closely associated with monism, the idea that reality is fundamentally one, and pantheism, the belief that everything is a manifestation of a singular divine reality. In this framework, the diversity and plurality observed in the world are seen as illusory, masking the true unity behind existence. Greek philosopher Parmenides is often credited with one of the earliest articulations of this idea, as he posited that the senses cannot be trusted and that the world as it appears is deceptive.


Parmenides argued that what is truly real is "the One," an absolute, unchanging reality. He claimed that the diversity we observe, including the existence of evil, is ultimately illusory. His student, Zeno, sought to prove this through a series of paradoxes designed to show that motion itself is an illusion. The ancient Indian philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, particularly the teachings of the Hindu philosopher Sankara, also embraced a form of illusionism. Sankara taught that the external world is a product of maya (illusion) and that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the impersonal and formless essence of all things.



The Challenge of Evil in Illusionism


One of the most significant claims of illusionism is its treatment of evil. Rather than attempting to reconcile the existence of evil with a good and omnipotent God, as is necessary in theistic traditions, illusionism denies the reality of evil altogether. In this view, evil is simply part of the illusion of the material world. This stands in stark contrast to the Christian worldview, which acknowledges the reality of both good and evil but provides a framework for understanding their existence in relation to God's purposes.


In Hindu illusionism, as seen in the philosophy of Sankara, the illusion of evil is tied to the broader illusion of diversity. In this system, the world appears to be filled with multiplicity and dualities—good and evil, pleasure and pain—but these are not truly real. The ultimate reality, Brahman, transcends these distinctions. The famous analogy of the rope and the snake is often used to explain this concept. Just as a rope may be mistaken for a snake in dim light, the material world is mistaken for reality when, in fact, it is an illusion. When one achieves enlightenment, they come to see that the world is Brahman, and evil is nothing more than a misunderstanding of the true nature of reality.


Similarly, in Western forms of illusionism, thinkers like Parmenides argued that evil is an illusion because the apparent diversity and conflict of the world are not real. For him, reality is one and unchanging, and what appears to be many—including the existence of evil—is ultimately illusory. Parmenides’ view essentially rejects the trustworthiness of human senses and argues that philosophical reasoning reveals that only one, unchanging reality truly exists. Anything that contradicts this unity, including evil, is seen as a false perception.


Christian Science, a modern form of illusionism, also denies the reality of evil. Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in the 19th century, Christian Science teaches that sin, sickness, and death are mere illusions produced by the "mortal mind." According to this system, God is wholly good and truth itself, and therefore, anything contradictory to this truth, such as pain or evil, must be false. Christian Science claims that recognizing this falsity allows the believer to transcend these illusions and experience healing and peace.



The Bible’s Response to Illusionism’s Denial of Evil


The Bible clearly teaches that both good and evil are real and that evil is the result of humanity’s rebellion against God. Genesis 3 recounts the Fall of man, an event that brought sin, suffering, and death into the world as a direct consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to Jehovah’s command (Genesis 2:16-17). Sin, and the evil it brings, is therefore not an illusion but a concrete reality in the biblical narrative. Romans 5:12 affirms this by stating, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”


The biblical view of evil is not that it is a mere illusion but that it is a corrupting force that affects both human beings and the world in which they live. While secular and illusionist systems seek to solve the problem of evil by denying its existence, the Bible offers a solution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The ultimate answer to the problem of evil is found in the sacrifice of Jesus, who bore the punishment for sin and provides the means for reconciliation with God (1 Peter 2:24).


Moreover, the Bible acknowledges the deceptive nature of sin, which can appear to be good or even harmless while leading to destruction. In this sense, there is an element of illusion associated with evil, not because evil does not exist, but because it often presents itself as something other than what it truly is. Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Sin deceives and blinds people to the truth, but it is not itself an illusion; rather, it is a real and present danger to the soul.



What Are the Logical Problems with Illusionism?


One of the most significant problems with illusionism is its internal inconsistency. Illusionism posits that everything perceived by the senses is an illusion, including the existence of evil. But for something to be an illusion, there must be a reality against which that illusion is measured. If everything is an illusion, then there is no standard of reality by which to judge what is illusory. This creates a paradox within illusionism: it can only claim that the world is illusory if there is a real, non-illusory truth with which to compare it.


The Christian worldview resolves this issue by acknowledging that while some things may be deceptive or misleading (as sin and falsehood are), there is a firm foundation of reality grounded in the nature of God. God is the ultimate standard of truth, and everything that exists is a reflection of His creative will (Colossians 1:16-17). Evil exists not as an illusion but as a corruption of the good, just as darkness is the absence of light. This recognition of both the good and the evil as real, though in different ways, allows Christianity to offer a coherent explanation of the world as we experience it.


The problem of evil, therefore, is not solved by denying its existence but by understanding its place within God’s larger plan of redemption. In Romans 8:28, Paul reminds believers, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” This verse does not deny the reality of suffering or evil but promises that God, in His sovereignty, will work even these things for the good of His people.



How Do Christian Science and Biblical Christianity Differ in Their Understanding of Reality?


Christian Science, which arose in the 19th century under the leadership of Mary Baker Eddy, offers a modern form of illusionism. According to Eddy, sin, sickness, and death are mere illusions, products of a “mortal mind” disconnected from the divine truth. For Christian Science, God is pure truth, and anything that contradicts this truth, such as pain or evil, must be false. Thus, sin and suffering are not real entities but errors in human perception.


This view diverges significantly from biblical Christianity. The Bible consistently affirms that sin and death are real, objective realities that entered the world as a result of human rebellion against God (Romans 5:12). Sin is not merely a false perception to be corrected but a fundamental problem that requires redemption. The Bible teaches that the consequences of sin are severe and far-reaching, ultimately leading to death (Romans 6:23).


Jesus did not come to correct a mere error of perception; He came to conquer real sin and death through His sacrificial death and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 states, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Sin and death are not illusions to be overcome by realizing their unreality but real enemies that Christ defeated through His victory on the cross.



Why Is Illusionism Unlivable?


One of the most practical objections to illusionism is that it is an unlivable philosophy. Even those who claim that the material world is an illusion do not live as though it is. People who believe in illusionism still eat, drink, sleep, and avoid pain like everyone else. They lock their doors at night and seek medical attention when they are ill. This practical inconsistency reveals that, while they may affirm illusionism intellectually, they are forced to live as though the material world is real.


This inconsistency points to a deeper truth: reality is not something we can simply wish away or explain as an illusion. The Bible presents a worldview that is consistent with human experience. It acknowledges the reality of the physical world, the reality of sin and suffering, and the reality of God’s redemptive work in history. In Acts 17:24, Paul declares, “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man.” This verse underscores the biblical teaching that God is not only the Creator but also the sustainer of all things, and that the material world is part of His good creation.


By contrast, illusionism offers a view of the world that is fundamentally disconnected from the way people actually live their lives. It denies the reality of pain, evil, and suffering, yet those who hold this belief cannot escape these realities in their everyday lives. The Bible provides a far more coherent and livable understanding of the world by affirming both the reality of suffering and the hope of redemption through Christ.



How Does the Bible Address the Problem of Pain and Evil?


The Bible does not shy away from the problem of evil and suffering. Instead, it confronts it head-on, offering a comprehensive explanation for its origin and a solution in the person of Jesus Christ. Suffering and evil are direct consequences of human sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin into the world, and with it came suffering and death (Genesis 3:16-19).


However, the Bible also teaches that God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, is working out His purposes even through suffering. Romans 8:18 encourages believers with these words: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” In this verse, Paul acknowledges the reality of suffering but also points to the future hope that believers have in Christ.


Far from being an illusion, suffering is a real experience that serves as a reminder of the brokenness of the world and the need for redemption. Yet, for Christians, suffering is not the final word. Jesus Himself suffered and died, but His resurrection demonstrates that suffering and death do not have the last word (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). In Christ, believers have the promise of eternal life and the hope of a new creation, where there will be no more pain or death (Revelation 21:4).



How Should Christians Respond to Illusionism?


Christians are called to respond to illusionism by affirming the reality of God’s creation and the truth of His Word. The Christian worldview provides a solid foundation for understanding the world, one that aligns with both Scripture and human experience. Illusionism, by contrast, denies the reliability of the senses and the reality of evil, leading to confusion and inconsistency.


As believers, we are called to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word and to engage with those who hold to false philosophies like illusionism with grace and truth. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” In confronting illusionism, we must do so with confidence in the truth of Scripture and the knowledge that God’s Word is sufficient to address the deepest questions of life and existence.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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