Michelle Nailon Csb

Is Christian Morality Unique? Part One Michelle Nailon Csb

Is Christian Morality Unique Part One, Money, Power and Relationship, is the first half of an "informal" thesis. It shows how Paul re-re-presented the commandments of "Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal" to include the perspective of Greek philosophy. Paul, writing in the 50's CE, set out the foundational base for the gospels. Paul insisted that a following of Jesus means the adoption of his self-emptying mindset. Mark's gospel, written around 70 CE, showed the readiness of Jesus to accept the stripping away of material benefits in order to follow God's will. Matthew (85CE), showed his readiness to forsake relationship. Luke (85CE) showed his readiness to renounce power. The passion narratives highlight this. There is an irony about the readiness of Jesus to lose money, relationship and power. It led into his "kingdom", disciple loyalty and power into the life beyond. Despite the "uniqueness" of this approach to money, power and relationship, these three morality frameworks are so basic to other world religions that the question of Christian uniqueness still remains. Part Two of Is Christian Morality Unique answers the question in a quite different way. By using a semiotic analysis of the gospels it shows how these combine the social structures of Judaism and Hellenism. A new, hybrid society is formed that is both based upon, but is still aiming for. a morality balance between time and place. Workshops on both Parts are available cf. www.realitysearch.com.au.