Jesus Christ is the best-known moralist in the Western world. What follows are an analysis and evaluation of eight specific ethical ideas as presented by Christ in the gospel of Matthew. These ethical recommendations are examined for their credibility and their applicability. That is, They are assessed both for their believability and their workability. The ethical subjects examined include adulatory, divorce, human relation=s, and materialism. Although many of these appear theoretically sound, they lack real world applicability. .
Pacifism is one of the ethics presented by Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. An example of this is:.
AOn the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well@(Matthew 5:38-40). If everyone applied this ethic of pacifism, there would be a Utopia state, so the ethic is credible. Realistically, this is not valid, as humans tend to defend themselves in a situation where their own safety is at risk. .
Humility is another ethic presented in the gospel of Matthew. To quote Matthew 6:1-3: >Be careful not to parade your deeds. Before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.@ This is not credible because our society relies so much on recognition. Therefore, it is also not valid, as humans want to be recognised and rewarded for their accomplishment.
AntiMaterialism is an ethic presented in Matthew 6:19-21. ADo not store up treasures for yourself on earth, where moths and wood worms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal.@ This is not credible as people have belongings that they use to represent who they are as a person. It is also not valid as our society moulds a person into believing materialism is the way people are distinguished from each other. .
The ethic of innocence in the book of Matthew 18:1-6 states ATherefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
