The Judeo-Christian Ethic: Fallacy or Foundation?
by Messianic Rabbi Ed Rothman
This article is in response to a radio program I inadvertently
heard that caught my attention. The quote below is from a very anointed
pastor whom I respect and admire, although I cannot agree with his
conclusion negating the Judeo-Christian Ethic as the basis for Christian
morality.
"I have a little problem with talking
about the Judeo-Christian ethic. If you say Judeo, meaning Jews
who do not believe in Jesus Christ, but hold to the Ten Commandments,
you're introducing a flaw into worship, which is utterly profound.
I mean the New Testament is written to say those who do not honor
the Son do not honor the Father, so the concept of a Judeo-Christian
ethic as the goal to which we are aiming is profoundly mistaken.
Because ethics has to grow out of a true
view of G-d and to reject Jesus Christ is to have an absolutely
flawed view of G-d and therefore the ethic that flows from it as
morality is going to be flawed. Even if some of the behavior is
the same, the point of ethics is not merely the kernel or the shell
of the behavior, but the inner convictions of the mind, and the
disposition of the heart, and the goal of what we are displaying,
and if Jesus Christ is omitted from that, I don't think we have
Christian ethics or morality."
I would suggest that this pastor's conclusion is flawed and the
reason it is flawed, is because he is using the rejection of Jesus
Christ by the majority of the Jewish people as his reason for not
accepting the Judeo-Christian Ethic as the basis for Christian morality.
If I understand the concept of the Judeo-Christian Ethic, it is
the revelation of G-d's standard for human morality that is found
in the Holy Scriptures, including both the Older and Newer Covenants.
For the purposes of simplicity and functionality I might suggest
the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount (both initially
written to the Jewish people) as the biblical basis for a Judeo-Christian
Ethic.
There is nothing flawed about either of these passages of Scripture,
except our inability as humans to live in complete harmony with
the requirements contained therein. That is why Scripture also informs
us of the saving grace of G-d that is found in both the Passion
and the Resurrection of our L-RD Y'shua (Jesus) the Messiah. Even
though many Jewish people may reject Jesus as the propitiation for
our sins, that does not corrupt the perfect law of G-d, which is
an integral part of revealing His character and nature to all the
world.
I believe that the Ten Commandments are the basis for a correct
view of G-d and are an appropriate expression of worship to G-d,
regardless of the spiritual enlightenment of the Jewish community.
Psalm 19 gives a resounding declaration for the purity and perfection
of G-d's law as a standard for human morality.
"The law of the L-RD is perfect, converting the soul: the
testimony of the L-RD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes
of the L-RD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of
the L-RD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the L-RD
is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the L-RD are true
and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them
there is great reward." Psalm 19:7-11
Jeremiah prophesied of how the New Covenant would be the inscription
of G-d's law in our minds and upon our hearts through the indwelling
presence of His Holy Spirit.
"Behold the days come, says the L-RD, that I
will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with
the house of Judah: not according to the covenant I made with
their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring
them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although
I was an husband unto them, says the L-RD. But
this shall be the covenant I will make with the house of
Israel; After those days, says the L-RD, I
will put My law in their inward parts, and write in their hearts;
and they I will be their G-d, and they shall be My people."
Jeremiah 31:31-33
continued on page
2 |
