Anyone who opens the traditional Bible – as opposed to a modern translation – and searches for the word ‘happiness’ will mainly find other similar words. “This is because happiness is actually a modern word that is hardly ever found in the Bible,” explains Van der Woude. “In the Old Testament, the word ‘shalom’ was used, which means peace, health, justice and righteousness. And the New Testament focuses on ‘salvation’: the conviction that the life and death of Jesus provides us with salvation.”
However, Van der Woude can see another distinction besides the difference in wording. “In these modern times, happiness is a personal thing that you can pursue. This is what today’s advertising world focuses on. In contrast to this, the biblical view says: it’s not about your own well-being, but about that of the community. Contributing to this is what will make you happy.”
From community to individual
According to Van der Woude, this vision ensured that a strong emphasis was placed on the community in biblical society. She paraphrases by saying that no-one prospers without God. “For example, Psalm 146 says that the God of Israel cares for the marginalised: the poor, orphans, widows, strangers and prisoners. Anyone who follows in God’s footsteps and devotes themselves to others is a happy person.”
Van der Woude maintains that things are different nowadays. She refers to a hedonistic lifestyle, in which people pursue happiness for themselves rather than for the community. “This involves a focus on enjoyment: fine dining, going on holiday and living in a beautiful home.” Van der Woude suspects that this way of life was a reaction against Christianity, especially in its Calvinistic form. “Most people had had enough of the centuries-long dominance of the church and Christianity. They were tired of principles that viewed going to the cinema or going out as sinful, that regarded Sunday as a day of rest, and that held that man is naturally inclined to evil. People no longer allowed these ideas to be imposed on them; they followed their own path.”
Van der Woude has since noticed that hedonism is on the decline. “Many people are gradually realising that we are reaching the limits of what is endurable. For example, more and more people are seeing that holidays by air are affecting the planet, and this is consequently affecting our happiness.”
The Bible as an answer
On the other hand, it is widely believed that Christianity claims that happiness will only come in the afterlife. Van der Woude refutes this. “This is a misunderstanding, because the Old Testament primarily refers to living in the here and now: it is about how we can be happy now. And in addition to the New Testament’s portrayal of life after this life, it also calls for us to follow Jesus and to continue his example here on earth. That’s what will make you happy. Even more so than this life being a preparation for the afterlife.”
Van der Woude, who is a theologian at Radboud University as well as a pastor, sees that the biblical view of happiness has very little impact on people today. “And that’s a shame,” she admits. “Because the Bible can offer an answer to the emptiness of today. For example, many young people experience emptiness due to social media, where only beautiful images are shared. The Bible can provide inspiration for leading a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. Anyone who volunteers or takes care of others knows how valuable this can be. There’s a great deal of happiness in that. The Bible already showed us this hundreds of years ago.”
If you are interested in taking part in the Radboud Reflects ‘What is Happiness?’ course, which will start on 18 September 2025 and will include Annemarieke van der Woude’s lecture ‘Happiness in faith and daily life’, read more...
(Please note that this course is in Dutch)
Photo: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 via Unsplash