We are learning Moral Theology under Fr. Robert Ng. We will be touching upon the topic of the specificity of Christian ethics.
Is there anything specific about Christian ethics which is exclusively Christian and is not shared by other systems of ethics? The last chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy may throw light on this question.
Is there anything specific about Christian ethics which is exclusively Christian and is not shared by other systems of ethics? The last chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy may throw light on this question.
Read this.
for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world;
but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:7-9).
How is this quotation from the Holy Bible different from aphorisms found in other cultures? I am afraid it is not.
Look, for example, into the collection of some Chinese proverbs, you will find, without difficulty, some similar advice compatible with the three verses taken from the Bible.
For example, 「錢財身外物」Money and riches are external to your body (i.e. you did not bring them into the world and neither will you carry them away with you.)
子曰：「賢哉，回也！一簞食，一瓢飲，在陋巷，人不堪其憂，回也不改其樂。賢哉，回也！」【論語‧雍也】
In the Analect quotation above, Confucius was praising his beloved disciple for the poor, simple but contented life he led.
「人為財死，鳥為食亡。」Man dies for money and bird for food.
Therefore, what specific revelation can be discovered in the First Epistle to Timothy? Well, let us read on.
For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs(1 Timothy 6:10).
This time, the Chinese beg to differ. Some scholars claimed that failure to nip the evil in the bud is the root of all evils. Some claimed that selfishness is. Some playwrights point the finger at adultery. Paul put the blame on the love of money.
However, what makes Paul's aphorism Christian is the fact that it is coupled with faith. The love of money would steer Christians away from their faith. Now, here is the specificity. Christian morality is motivated by faith as a response to God's call.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses(1 Timothy 6:12).
Christians cannot be complacent. They should be aggressive like fighting a battle in response to God's call. Their morality is also eschatological, that is pointing towards the end of the world.
I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:14).
This is only a very sketchy analysis. I hope I will be able to understand better.
for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world;
but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:7-9).
How is this quotation from the Holy Bible different from aphorisms found in other cultures? I am afraid it is not.
Look, for example, into the collection of some Chinese proverbs, you will find, without difficulty, some similar advice compatible with the three verses taken from the Bible.
For example, 「錢財身外物」Money and riches are external to your body (i.e. you did not bring them into the world and neither will you carry them away with you.)
子曰：「賢哉，回也！一簞食，一瓢飲，在陋巷，人不堪其憂，回也不改其樂。賢哉，回也！」【論語‧雍也】
In the Analect quotation above, Confucius was praising his beloved disciple for the poor, simple but contented life he led.
「人為財死，鳥為食亡。」Man dies for money and bird for food.
Therefore, what specific revelation can be discovered in the First Epistle to Timothy? Well, let us read on.
For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs(1 Timothy 6:10).
This time, the Chinese beg to differ. Some scholars claimed that failure to nip the evil in the bud is the root of all evils. Some claimed that selfishness is. Some playwrights point the finger at adultery. Paul put the blame on the love of money.
However, what makes Paul's aphorism Christian is the fact that it is coupled with faith. The love of money would steer Christians away from their faith. Now, here is the specificity. Christian morality is motivated by faith as a response to God's call.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses(1 Timothy 6:12).
Christians cannot be complacent. They should be aggressive like fighting a battle in response to God's call. Their morality is also eschatological, that is pointing towards the end of the world.
I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:14).
This is only a very sketchy analysis. I hope I will be able to understand better.
Dear Lord, may our good deeds shed light on our neighbours so that they are able to see Your face. Amen.
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