057. Chapter 36 - The Sermon on the Mount and The Social Gospel
Chapter 36 - The Sermon on the Mount and “The Social Gospel” The Dilemma of the Atheists The acute need for a standard of morals — some definite and authoritative means of determining what is right and wrong — for the intellectual group who have discarded belief in God, is the problem to which Walter Lippmann addresses himself in his book entitled A Preface to Morals. He frankly admits the great power for good which has been exerted through the past by the belief in God and the acceptance of the Bible as His revealed Word; but, having abandoned this belief, he casts about for some other basis for analyzing human conduct. This is a famous example of the “social gospel” which is being proclaimed to this “new age.” A friendly critic who shares with him the atheistic position, and who affirms that Mr. Lippmann has acquired his religious views from Kirsopp Lake, of Harvard, and the school of thought which he represents, speaks with great appreciation of Mr. Lippmann’s book, but frankly admits that it recognizes rather than solves the pressing problem; that it is nothing more than a “preface” to a real search for a basis of morals.
Plagiarizing the Sermon the Mount The nearest Mr. Lippmann is able to come to a on positive suggestion in the matter is to lay down the proposition that the conduct of men should be gauged by the principle of “disinterestedness.” And what does this mean but unselfishness? — And where did he learn this but at the feet of the Christ he scorns, and from the Bible he discards? The futility of “the search for truth” apart from God could scarcely be more clearly revealed than by the failure of this brilliant modern editor to find any sort of alternative for the simplicity of Christian faith. Contrast the darkness in which the boasted intellectual of this “new day” gropes, with the beaming sunlight in which the Son of God walks in the Sermon on the Mount. The Finality of the Sermon The majority of the left-wing modernists — those who are atheistic — furnish a frank confession of the hopelessness of their effort to find any new basis for morals by their constant references to the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus offered the clearest and most powerful declaration the world has ever heard concerning the problem of human conduct. The advance over the revelation offered in the Old Testament is most startling. The range of man’s responsibility is immeasurably extended by the profound emphasis upon the thought-life as the active source of speech and action. The full gospel was not proclaimed by Jesus on this occasion, because this gospel was to be based upon His death, burial, and resurrection, and hence could not be set forth until Pentecost. But the Sermon on the Mount carries the most complete analysis of human conduct — its sources, its motives, its qualities, and results. All the combined wisdom of the centuries has not been able to add anything to the fundamental principles laid down in this sermon. Individual problems have changed with the changing scenery of the generations that have come and gone, but these problems still must be taken to the feet of Jesus for their proper solution on the basis of the principles of life He enunciated. The Problem of Human Conduct
Sometimes people are vexed at the difficulties which beset them in guiding their lives. Is this wrong or is it right? One says, “Yes”; another, “No.” How can I tell? Take any of the avenues of pleasure with which a Christian is faced in this riotous generation: dancing, card playing, the theater, drinking, playing the races, etc. Someone says: “I can not find any condemnation of this or that modern pleasure in the Bible: what about it?”
Individual Responsibility
One of the unique characteristics of Christ’s teaching is the solemn responsibility placed upon the individual to determine for himself his own conduct. The Old Testament surrounded the Jews with well-nigh innumerable petty laws designed to specify in each particular case what was right and wrong. Underlying these minor regulations were the great moral principles seen in the Ten Commandments and in evidence even from the beginning. For even Cain knew it was wrong to murder his brother — Abel. God had made this known to him, as it is quite evident He had made known the duty to offer a sacrifice and the manner in which it was to be offered. Else why was Cain’s offering rejected or Cain condemned for murder? In man’s spiritual nature God has implanted the conscience, that faculty which keeps saying, “Do the right”; “Avoid the wrong.” But the conscience, unaided by careful education in the light of God’s revelation, may be entirely in error when it sounds its warnings as to what is evil, or it may become stifled by the constant rejection of its appeals. How can man hope to guide his life without God’s help? The light of direct contact with God shone upon Adam and Eve in the beginning. But man permitted the recollection of this light to fade with the passing generations, and his “foolish heart became darkened.” The Old Testament law was added to guide and stir anew man’s conscience and bring him back to God. But Jesus sets forth an entirely new and unique standard for the guidance of human conduct. In this standard, all of the fundamental moral principles are most effectively reaffirmed. This standard is, first of all, a perfect life actually achieved among men in the person of the Son of God. The Way of Life
Christianity sums up the way of life in two words: “Follow Jesus.” Are you troubled about what is right and wrong? About which course to take? Take up your New Testament and study the life of Christ. Solve your problems in the light of the perfect example Jesus gives. “What would Jesus do, in my place and facing my problems?” Added to this perfect example is the perfect teaching which Jesus gave. The underlying moral truths which furnish the ground for righteous living are reiterated, illustrated, deepened, and enforced in the Sermon on the Mount. But Jesus made no effort to be exhaustive in restating these propositions. He took tip the problems connected with murder, adultery, honesty, the taking of oaths, retaliation, evil criticism, love of money, love of enemies, and benevolent sharing with others. On later occasions He dealt with other problems of moral conduct. But the necessity for an exhaustive survey of these intricacies is relieved by the second great feature of Christianity: the fact that Jesus set forth a single, all-inclusive rule of conduct which is universally and eternally applicable. “All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.” All preceding revelations of man’s righteous relations to his fellow men are included in this one summary of life. Are you troubled as to your choice of right and wrong? Write the Golden Rule indelibly in your heart as you seek to follow where Jesus leads.
Freedom in Christ A further principle which stands out in the Sermon on the Mount is the supreme value of the soul when compared to the whole universe of material things, and the supreme responsibility of the individual for the development and direction of his own life. It is self-evident that the daring way Jesus sums up life by calling men to follow His example, and by giving such a brief and all-inclusive rule of moral conduct, gives to man a new freedom. Does the example of Jesus demand that you deny this or that desire which others deem worldly? You must decide that for yourself. You may seek the advice of others; you may feel the restraint others exert; but ultimately you must decide for yourself the exact application of the invitation of Jesus: “Come unto me...and learn of me;...and ye shall find rest.” This freedom in Christ begets a new responsibility, that we make of our freedom not a license to sin, but an urgent call to consecration. The Fundamental Principles
Two corollaries flow forth naturally from these great sources of Christian ethics: the Christian is obligated to scrutinize everything in his life (1) as regards its effect on his own well-being; (2) as regards its effect on his fellow men. Is it right for me to do this thing? Well, what are its results in my life? Does it build up a stronger body, a more active and useful mind, and a nobler soul? Does it but multiply disorders, or does it bring real improvement and lasting content? If the results are mixed and confusing, if the aftermath is a medley of exhilaration combined with discontent and regret, then it is well to concentrate upon the second phase: What are its effects upon others with whom I walk in life? In the most dramatic language imaginable, Jesus presents this first test of conduct: “If thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.” If something in your conduct seems as essential as your hand or eye (either by reason of a habit formed years before or because of false choice at the present time) and you find this thing producing evil effects as regards your physical, mental, or spiritual well-being, cast it out rather than stumble and ultimately perish. The second test underlies a great part of the Sermon on the Mount, and is often discussed by both Jesus and Paul. It is the very heart of the “Golden Rule.” What is the effect of this on the lives of others? How would I like for others to treat me in this particular? “To live day by day in such a self-forgetful way” that our thought is concentrated first on Christ, and second on our fellow men, is the way of life full of glory and contentment. The Program of the Christian
All of these principles guiding the conduct of the Christian culminate in the active program, the grand objective of earthly living. Over and over Jesus throws out the challenge in the Sermon on the Mount to follow Him and aid in saving a lost world. The world is in darkness, but the Christian is the light of the world. “Let your light shine” is Christ’s daring command given for a world-wide enlightenment of mankind. This captivating vista glorifies the entire sermon. And how is the humble disciple to accomplish so vast an objective? By amassing earthly treasures? by imitating the pomp and circumstance of kings? No, by humble service; by “your good works”; by loving, forgiving, teaching, helping others in the name of Jesus. What is the motive and objective of these shining lights? “That they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” God is the source and the end of man’s moral endeavors, as outlined in the Sermon on the Mount. Read through this great pronouncement again, and see how each of the Beatitudes either mentions or directly implies the personal relationship to God, and how every line and phrase of the whole sermon breathes the atmosphere of heaven and bids man be noble because God desires and commands it, because God exemplifies it and because God will reward it.
Without God — without Light
Contrast with this the thousands of sermons that leave God out, preached today from the Sermon on the Mount as the world’s supreme statement on morality. Could anything be any more foolish or hopeless than the extreme modernist’s attempt to create a standard for determining what is good apart from God, who is the Source of all good and the perfect Embodiment of all that is righteous and the ultimate Judge of the world? “Morals” comes from the Latin mores, and means the right relation of man to man. The derivation of “religion” from religio (to bind back) reveals the fact that this is the relationship of man to God. The true religion embraces the whole of morals, and the true morals cannot be constructed, understood, or maintained apart from the true religion. The prevailing immorality of this “new age,” with its breakdown of common honesty in the business world and of moral reform in the political realm, with its dearth of love and peace in the home, and its spectacle of such wild and riotous pleasures as disgraced ancient Rome, results from man’s casting God out of His world. We suffer not so much from a “forgotten man” as from a “forgotten God.” The Vicious Circle of Modernism This is exactly the analysis Paul gives to the world situation that preceded the downfall of the Roman Empire: “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men….God is manifest….knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks: but became vain in their reasonings and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness….they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:18-25). What an accurate photograph of this “new age” in which we live! What folly to talk of creating a system of morals on “disinterestedness” when they leave out the God who lives, loves, reveals, commands, rewards, and punishes. How can the atheist “let his light shine” when the light that is in him is darkness? How can he hope to purloin the principle of unselfishness from the Sermon on the Mount, and build upon it a system of morals, when he himself is entrapped in the vicious circle of self-worship? He has no source of authority for morals higher than himself; no model of righteousness better than himself; no person to honor and worship greater than himself.
God Has Spoken The Sermon on the Mount gives an unparalleled analysis of the principles upon which righteousness is based; a unique series of illustrations of how these principles are to be applied to the problems of everyday life; a critical study of the motives of human conduct and their influence upon the quality of our deeds and words; a picture of the earthly and eternal results of human conduct that is transcendent. The throbbing heart of the whole message is God. We are to obey God rather than men, and rejoice when persecution results. We are to take God, the perfect Example, as an ideal rather than men, and strive for His perfection. We are to expect God rather than men to understand properly and reward our efforts. In a world that has forgotten God we cry afresh:
God of our fathers, known of old, ….….….….….….….….….….….….….
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget!