Theme:  Christianity is not a system of morality

Summary of Douglas John Hall’s argument

It’s often suggested that what really matters in Christianity is neither faith nor theology, but ethics – how we behave.  This seems especially helpful in conversation with other religious traditions as a way of smoothing over differences in belief so we can talk more easily about how different religious traditions really boil down to similar systems of ethics and morality. 

Even if it is true, though, that ultimately all religions teach love for one another and for Earth, is that the whole story?  Is it even the most important or fundamental part of the Christian story? 

When we make Christianity primarily a moral code, are we losing something of the gospel (good news about God) by making it just a new law (something for human beings to do, and live up to)? 

In any religion, moral teaching inevitably usurps the place of the thought or experience of God upon which the moral teaching is based, for a few simple reasons:

·         moral teachings are easier for us to deal with and talk about, than teachings about, or experience of God

·         moral systems are used by people in charge to control the behaviour of others below them – like, political leaders over their subjects, church authorities over their members, parents over their children

·         systems of morality appeal to that part of us that is easily convinced we are bad or not good enough, and need something from outside us to make us better

But the heart of the Christian message is not morality.  Jesus does not so much introduce a new moral law, as he invites us to a new way of seeing and understanding the world, God and others.  Instead of telling us what we should and should not do, he invites us to understand God in a new way – as gracious, self-giving Love, to see the other in all cases as one who is loved by God as we are loved, and then let our action and behaviour flow from that new understanding of life, world, self and God.  It’s not a new law he brings, but a transformation of the way we understand what it means to be human, based on a new way of seeing God.

Reflections

Reading:  Mark 10:17-27 (A rich young man asks Jesus as Good Teacher what he must do to find peace and live in God’s kingdom.  Jesus says “Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God.”  Then he invites the young man who has spent his life doing all the “good and right things,” to let go of all that he has counted as important in life, and to place himself in a new position of vulnerability among others and radical trust in God.) 

Why does Jesus deflect the young man’s description of him as “good”?  Does Jesus see himself as “not good” – as somehow bad or sinful?  Or in Jesus’ mind, are “good” and “bad” simply not appropriate or relevant words to describe any human being? 

When you think of the heroes and heroines of the biblical story, how does the Bible present their character?  Are they all wonderful, nice, moral people?  Or are they also not so nice?  Would you want any of them marrying your son or daughter?  Babysitting your kids? 

I grew up learning that Christians are to be nice … and should have clean houses … and should be well-groomed and even better-behaved.  Because of this I also grew up learning that Christians lie about things, and cover up the things about themselves that aren’t nice and respectable.  Was your experience at all similar?  How Christian is that kind of up-bringing? 

What’s the real heart and core of Christian faith?  What’s the good news that can save the world?  Is it as easy to teach, as it is to teach rules and codes of morality?