Jesus and the Golden Rule

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 Recently, popular counter apologist Paulogia tweeted the following:


This is, of course, a reference to Jesus' teaching in the Gospel of Matthew:

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (7:12; NIV).

This tweet echoes sentiments I have seen expressed by skeptics in the past about the golden rule.  For some reason, they find it significant that ideas similar to Jesus' teaching can be found, prior to His birth, in Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Greek Philosophy.  However, from a Christian Worldview perspective, this should come as no surprise.  Nor, should it trouble followers of Christ.

First, Christians believe that all properly functioning people are aware of certain moral truths and that these truths are not created by humankind, but discovered by humankind through our innate moral sense and our moral experience.  Thus, it should come as no surprise that other philosophies and religions taught a similar idea to the golden rule prior to Jesus because they all experienced the same moral world. 

Second, this idea is entirely consistent with scripture.  In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul tells us that all people have "the law written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them" (2:15).  So it would seem that these other philosophies and religions teaching a similar moral truth would support that idea that all people have this divine law written on their hearts.1

Third, it would be wrong to conclude that Jesus' teaching was no more significant than the comparable teachings found in these other worldviews.  As the NET Bible Study Notes highlight:

“Jesus’ teaching as reflected in the phrase treat others as you would want them to treat you, known generally as the Golden Rule, is not completely unique in the ancient world, but here it is stated in its most emphatic, selfless form.”

Finally, it should be noted that not only did Jesus teach the most emphatic and selfless form of golden rule2, but Jesus' teachings went beyond mere empathy.  Consider Jesus' famous parable of the good samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.3  Recall in the parable that it was the Samaritan, who at that time would have been despised by the Jews, that went beyond simply feeling empathy for the man, and paid for the victim's lodging and care.  And Jesus told His audience, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).

So, in summary:

1. On a Christian worldview, it is not surprising that people who lived in different times and at different places discovered the same moral truth.

2. The fact that other philosophies and religions taught a similar moral truth before the time of Jesus is consistent with the biblical teaching that all people have the moral law written on their hearts.

3. While the golden rule was not entirely unique in the ancient world, Jesus taught the most empathic and selfless form of it.

4. Jesus' teachings as a whole go beyond mere empathy and call us to show mercy to those who are suffering.  

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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Footnotes:
1. Further, it would seem consistent with the idea that objective moral truths exist.  
2. I should be noted here that I believe empathy for one another is exactly what one would expect on theism, but it would surprising on naturalism.  
3. I owe this insight to my Apologetics315 Podcast co-host Brian Auten.  

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