Self-Realization Approach to Christian Ethics (eBook)

A Self-Realization Approach to Christian Ethics has only two componentsof success, self-realization or improvement of self, and Christian ethics orhelping other people improve wherever they are. This is what Christiansknow as charity. The first component or the self-realization approach can be summedup by Sigmund Freud who warned, death comes not when our heartsstop beating, but when we stop growing. We are not human beingsgrowing spiritually. We are spiritual beings in human body. Progressivepersonal growth is an eternal self-improvement, the first true componentof success. If the truest success is but the improvement of self, and if the best formof self-improvement is virtue, and if virtue is the full use of ones powersalong the lines of excellence, then we understand the arguments conclusionto follow: the truest form of success is the full use of ones powers alongthe lines of excellence. The direct approach to pursuing happiness, however, does not alwaysgive us the desired results. Usually we find genuine happiness by activelyhelping other people be happy. Charity is the highest, noblest, strongest kindof love, not merely affection. Charity is seeing the pure love of the friendwe have in Jesus Christ, and in other people. Charity is not just acts of benevolence, although it may be a promptingmotive. Charity is everlasting love. Charity is perfect love. The desire toserve other people and help them improve wherever they are is the heartof charity. Those who feel charity help other people out of sincere love,without expecting something in return. Charity is accomplished by lookingfor opportunities to serve others in whatever ways we can. Another way of describing these two components of happiness is: 1)realization of ones personal potential, and 2) perfecting ones interpersonalskills to socialize with charity beginning at home. These are the themesrunning through the fabric of this bookA Self-Realization Approach toChristian Ethics.