Underneath the Golden Rule
The “golden rule” is something familiar to a great many people. Jesus Christ put it this way: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12). There ubiquitousness to this principle, as it can even be found outside the Canon of Scripture in the Jewish Apocrypha, which presents it in its negative form: “And what you hate, do not do to anyone” (Tobit 4:15). Certainly many people hold to this as a truism, and the principle mutual giving and receive of goodness resonates well with the multitudes.
Jesus Christ even points out that this principle of reciprocity is foundational to “the Law and the Prophets.” The very Yahweh who entered into history, who rescued the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery, giving them a national identity, reminded them of the promises made to the great patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and created the universe, the very idea of doing unto others what one would have done to oneself was an essential component to the message communicated to Moses and the prophets.
Human dignity is also an important component to the “golden rule.” One can say it is something that is underneath the “golden rule.” Can someone who is self-destructive really treat other as he would treat himself? A question Vishal Mangalwadi posits is: if humans are no different than animals, as many assume they are but evolved apes, is there any reason why people should stop their monkey business? Slavery, murder, robbery, and the like are all violations of the “golden rule;” yet, if a people have no sense of their own dignity and worth, they how can they even know what it means to treat others as they would want to be treated? It is when we can understand our dignity, that we can really express the principle of treating others as one would treat oneself in the robust way.
Jesus’ connection of the “golden rule” to the “Law and Prophets,” or the Scriptures, offers something beneath the “golden rule,” which gives the maxim a foundation to stand. The Scriptures indeed can offer a very robust understanding of human dignity and worth. It is God who creates man in His own image, both male and female. Even in spite of human rebellion and sinfulness, God still enters into the human drama to establish a covenant relationship with a people. The apex of all history and the greatest demonstration of human worth can clearly be seen in God incarnating Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, who would die upon the cross, so that those who believe could receive eternal life. It is the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith that we can understand the value God places upon man. “God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Fallen people who receive grace, love, and forgiveness, can see fit to offer grace, love, and forgiveness to others. “In this is love,” writes John, “not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-1).
Jesus Christ even points out that this principle of reciprocity is foundational to “the Law and the Prophets.” The very Yahweh who entered into history, who rescued the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery, giving them a national identity, reminded them of the promises made to the great patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and created the universe, the very idea of doing unto others what one would have done to oneself was an essential component to the message communicated to Moses and the prophets.
Human dignity is also an important component to the “golden rule.” One can say it is something that is underneath the “golden rule.” Can someone who is self-destructive really treat other as he would treat himself? A question Vishal Mangalwadi posits is: if humans are no different than animals, as many assume they are but evolved apes, is there any reason why people should stop their monkey business? Slavery, murder, robbery, and the like are all violations of the “golden rule;” yet, if a people have no sense of their own dignity and worth, they how can they even know what it means to treat others as they would want to be treated? It is when we can understand our dignity, that we can really express the principle of treating others as one would treat oneself in the robust way.
Jesus’ connection of the “golden rule” to the “Law and Prophets,” or the Scriptures, offers something beneath the “golden rule,” which gives the maxim a foundation to stand. The Scriptures indeed can offer a very robust understanding of human dignity and worth. It is God who creates man in His own image, both male and female. Even in spite of human rebellion and sinfulness, God still enters into the human drama to establish a covenant relationship with a people. The apex of all history and the greatest demonstration of human worth can clearly be seen in God incarnating Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, who would die upon the cross, so that those who believe could receive eternal life. It is the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith that we can understand the value God places upon man. “God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Fallen people who receive grace, love, and forgiveness, can see fit to offer grace, love, and forgiveness to others. “In this is love,” writes John, “not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-1).
Comments
Post a Comment