Neutrality is Not a Christian Value

The title, “The Golden Rule,” is traditionally traced to the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus (A.D. 222-35) who, though not a Christian, was so impressed by the words of Jesus that he had it inscribed in gold on the wall of his chamber.[1] Whether or not this tradition is true, it nonetheless shows the great impact that Jesus’ words has even on those outside of the Christian faith. Even more, since all wisdom is God’s wisdom, it should not be surprising to hear similar words stated in other cultural and faith traditions who may have no contact with the words of Jesus – in similar fashion as finding similar concepts in the Ten Commandments in other religions. Commentator Leon Morris would suggest that “the golden rule is found in some form or other in a variety of religions, mostly in the negative: ‘Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you.’”[2] Morris would continue to suggest that Jesus is the first to proclaim the same wisdom with positive language. At first glance, this may seem like an issue of semantics, but much more is at stake. As one theologian, Robert Mounce, would conclude: “in its negative form, the Golden Rule could be satisfied by doing nothing; the positive form moves us to action on behalf of others.”[3]

It is this “action on behalf of others” that Jesus would state “is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). In other words, sitting neutral, doing neither harm nor good, is not the fulfilling of the second table of the Law: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:38). Jesus, in the Parable of the Talents, gives a clear description and judgment on neutrality (Matthew 22:14-30). In the parable, the final servant who was given one talent before his master went away, decided that due to the harshness of his master, he would simply bury his talent in order to give the same talent back to the master on his return. The neutral servant was not necessarily condemned because he did harm, but rather because he did nothing good with what he was given. Combining the Golden Rule with the Parable of the Talents, it is clear that the last servant would not have fulfilled Jesus’ words in our text this morning.

As good Presbyterians, we can also notice how the Westminster Divines picked up on the positive notion of the Golden Rule in the Larger Catechisms’ reflection on the Ten Commandments, particularly the second table (Westminster Larger Catechism, Questions 122-148). To peruse through some briefly: the sixth commandment is about more than not murdering, it is about promoting life; the seventh commandment is more than not committing adultery, it is chastity in thought, word, and deed; the ninth commandment is more than not bearing false witness, it is the preserving and promoting of truth.

As followers of Christ, we are called to “do unto others,” not simply refrain from negative or harmful actions that have consequences. Furthermore, we are even called to fulfill Jesus’ words amid negative responses: “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). In doing so, our actions will serve as a picture of the gospel and will be the fulfilling of “the Law and Prophets.” May we use whatever God has placed in our lives (time, money, gifts, etc) for the good of others and the glory of God.

[1]R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007), 284.

[2]Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1992), 172.

[3]Craig Blomberg, Matthew, The New American Commentary (B & H Publishing Group, 1992), 137.