Protestantism

» paper_turtle - Goodness

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Buddhism is about the pursuit of goodness. So is Christianity. As a Christian we strive to follow the example of Jesus' goodness. We speak of trusting in God's love and goodness. Below is a very small sampling of passages from the Bible relating to goodness. As I see it, these passages they provide a very clear definition of what goodness is from a Christian point of view. The Buddhist definition of goodness would be very similar.
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But the harvest [fruit] of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law dealing with such things as these. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the lower nature with its passions and desires. If the Spirit is the source of our life, let the Spirit also direct our course. (Galatians 5:22-25)
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Live like people who are at home in daylight, for where light is, there all goodness springs up, all justice and truth. (Ephesians 5:9)
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Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense. Love keeps no score fo wrongs; does not gloat over other's sins, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, its endurance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
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Let no one slight you because you are young, but make yourself an example to believers in speech and behavior, in love, fidelity, and purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
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With all this in view, you should try your hardest to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with understanding, understanding with self-control, self-control with fortitude, fortitude with devotion, devotion with brotherly kindness, and brotherly kindness with love. These are gifts, which, if you possess and foster them, will keep you from being either useless or barren in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)
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Let us therefore cease judging one another, but rather make this simple judgment: that no obstacle or stumbling block be placed in a brother's way. . . . Let us then pursue the things that make for peace and build up the common life. (Romans 14:, 13, 19
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If then our common life in Christ yields anything to stir the heart, any loving consolation, any sharing of the Spirit, any warmth of affection or compassion, fill up my cup of happiness by thinking and feeling alike, with the same love for one another, the same turn of mind, and a common care for unity. There must be no room for rivalry and personal vanity among you, but you must humbly reckon others better than yourselves. Look to each other's interest and not merely to your own. Let your bearing towards one another arise out of your life in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5)
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In addition, these words of Jesus also define Christian goodness:
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"Master, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.' That is the greatest commandment. It comes first. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Everything in the Law and the prophets hangs on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40)
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Further references to what Jesus said are below. I confined myself to Matthew for the sake of brevity.
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Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12)
turn the other cheek, give your coat, go the extra mile, be generous (Mt 5:38-42)
love your enemies (Mt 5:44-48)
take up [your] cross (Mt 16:24)
become like children; humble yourselves (Mt 18:1-5)
for when I was hungry (Mt 25:35-41)
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And once again, I would like to remind you of my requests:
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It would be nice, in discussing these ideas, if we could stick to *just* the ideas **as they are presented** (without reading things into them)--AND try to also practice goodness towards one another.
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This thread is not intended as a place for the debate of doctrinal points. It is not intended as a place to "defend the faith." I am hoping people will respond with *personal* thoughts--their *own* words, thoughts, feelings, not what they think they "ought" to say.
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Just so we're clear: "goodness" in the context of this thread means refraining from labeling, name-calling, finger-pointing, or impugning the character of another in any way.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle