If, for instance, we were to examine the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) we would certainly find common moral sentiments and commands. All three eschew malicious killing, theft, deceit, and so on. All three assert that the basis of all morality is divine, and all three argue that a life well lived is a life that seeks to fulfill these common moral commands.
Or again, consider Jesus' command to love others as we love ourselves. In virtually every religion worth its salt (so to speak), some version of this command can be found. All one needs to do is 'Wiki' the 'golden rule' and a list will be provided showing that some version of Jesus' command can be found in many a culture, religion, and philosophy.
So it seems that some basis can be provided for the assertion that there is a common morality in (at least) the three Abrahamic religious systems, even if the belief systems of these religions may vary greatly. However, it remains to be shown that the sole value of religion is essentially a moral value.
Before we attempt to reveal another value in religion other than moral, it may help to elucidate a common complaint about religious belief systems. Since the beginning of the Enlightenment it has been a common assertion by some philosophers and moralists that religious belief systems are to blame for many of society's problems. How many wars have been fought over differences in religious beliefs? A quick survey of history would reveal that the number is great. Even today wars are being fought in the name of religion, in defense of some doctrinal assertion. Of course the critique need not be limited to war. Political differences can often be traced back to religious beliefs. Or again, pick any number of random strangers and strike up a discussion on religion and sooner or later tensions will arise (this is the case even if those discussing are of the same religion!). So doesn't it seem better if we could empty all religions of their decisive doctrines, beliefs, and creeds and simply embrace what really matters when it comes to religion: moral goodness?
In my opinion, it would be arrogant and blind to attempt to argue that religious belief systems have not been the root of many a societal difficulty. However, it seems to me that the value of religion is not simply moral. And, any attempt to empty any religion of its respective belief system would be in sure danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water. In attempting to show why this is the case, I will focus on the Christian religion and its accompanying belief system. I do this for the sake of clarity and brevity. It may be the case that a similar argument could be put forth on behalf of other doctrinal systems, although I am not sure.
"And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3).It is my simple assertion that the highest value obtainable in relation to the Christian faith is knowledge of God. Knowledge of God is the beginning and the end of Christian experience. Whatever other values there are that may be obtained in the Christian experience; these must be seen as an effect of coming-to-know God.
In the above statement by Jesus we get a glimpse into the point I am trying to make. A little later he will say, "I have made your name known..." (John 17:6). And then a little later, "Now they know..." (John 17:7). In short Jesus is making a point about the importance of his coming. And, that importance is coming-to-know.
What is it that Jesus makes known? "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his Son into the world so that we might live through him...So we have known and believe the love that God has for us" (I John 4:7-16). Jesus makes known the love God has for humanity.
It can be seen in the passage just quoted that this knowledge of the love of God is dependent, not on some moral code, but on the person of Jesus Christ. This brings us to the importance of the doctrinal system of Christianity. Each doctrine (be it the Incarnation, the Trinity, or what-have-you) can be traced back to knowledge of God's love for humanity. Let's take the doctrine of the Incarnation of Christ. In short this doctrine asserts that the eternal Son of God became 'in-fleshed,' became human. Why? The eternal Son of God became human for the express purpose of dying on the cross in order to eliminate the effect of sin. What is the effect of sin? The effect of sin is death. Not simply the end of life, but that terminal spiritual death that separates humanity from God. But...God loves humans and wants us to know this. So...the Incarnation.
It would not work, and did not work, for God to simply give humans a set of commands so that they might treat each other well. Of course, God did give a set of commands, and the result was that humans still do not treat each other well. If morality was the sole value of the Christian religion, then it would be an obvious and complete failure. Anyone who has spent time with a Christian will notice that they fail morally just like everyone else. This is a sad, but brute fact. However, if the Christian knows God, then Christianity is a success.
Moreover, if the Christian knows God, then the moral value will follow. "Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love" And of course the opposite holds as well. If we know God, then we will love.
Now this knowledge is not simply a working knowledge; although, a working knowledge is where it begins. For instance...having a working knowledge of the mechanics of automobiles, or understanding how cars function, does not mean that I am a mechanic...that I "know" cars. Nonetheless, if I want to be a mechanic I must begin with a working knowledge of how cars work. Then, if I am to be an actual automobile mechanic, I will have to get dirty and start working on cars. In the same way, I must have a working knowledge of God's love if I am to know God is love. In other words I must understand what scripture tells me about God's love. This working knowledge begins with the beliefs and doctrines that Christians hold about the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Of course, this knowledge or "belief" is only the beginning.
Christians start by believing that God sent his Son. Eventually this belief must become a part of the life of the one who believes. "Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe...have made God a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son" (I John 4:10). It is not simply that Christians "understand" the assertion "God sent his Son because he loves humanity." To believe in one's heart is to say, "This is the truth, God loves us because he sent his Son" and in knowing that truth in one's heart she lives a life of love. To believe in one's heart is to know in such a way that one loves because she knows God is love. In short, we do not know God is love simply by understanding the words; nonetheless, until we understand the words we cannot go on to the experiential knowledge that God is in fact love.
Knowing God is not only the beginning of the Christian experience, it is also the end of the Christian experience.
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known" (I Corinthians 13:12).In this world we know, but we do not know as we are known by the one who has loved us so much that he gave his only Son. When we leave this world we will see his Son "face to face", we will know fully even as we are fully known. The Christian experience ends in fulfillment, in full participation in the love that loved us first.
But what again of morality and the Christian faith? Am I saying that the moral code found in Christianity is not important? In some sense, "Yes...it is not all that important."
How can I say that the moral code found in Christianity is "not all that important?" If we know God, then we will love one another. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). If I know God, then I will love. If I love, then I do not need to be told "Do not maliciously kill another." Love does naturally what moral commands attempt to coerce. In fact even if one keeps the offered moral code, there is no guarantee that love is even involved. So you see, knowledge of God is the beginning and end of the Christian experience...the moral code is not even needed. The moral code helps us as we come-to-know God...it may act as a guide, but it is not the sole value of our faith.
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true..."Only a very anemic understanding of Christianity can hold to the assumption that the highest value of the Christian religion is essentially moral. Those who say we must empty the Christian religion of its beliefs and doctrines, and simply adhere to the moral truths found there, are missing the point. They are in danger of throwing the only begotten baby out with the bath water. In doing so they miss the one thing that matters: God is love. The Christian faith is not about trying to be good. The Christian faith is about listening to that still, small voice as it says, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Do this, and the rest will follow.
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