You're in limited preview mode.

Login or signup for free to unlock more content.

Living In Glass Houses

Criticism Golden Rule

Source: Words To Live By

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2019-09-15

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Author: Charles Panati
2

ILLUSTRATION

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Lexicographers have traced the proverb back to Geoffrey Chaucer's poem Troilus and Criseyde (c. 1385), written when glass windows were extremely rare. Most windows, depicting biblical scenes in "stained glass," were found in churches.

Based on a Greek legend, the 8,239-line poem is the tragic love story of Troilus, son of the Trajan King Priam, and Criseyde, the widowed daughter of the deserter priest Calchas. Tolerance and sympathy are major themes of the tale, for many people want to keep the lovers apart--and in the end succeed (p. 210). 

APPLICATION

At some point, the saying came to mean that those who are vulnerable should not attack others (ibid.). Truly, in the broadest sense, the fact we are all sinners should keep us from hypercriticism with the faults of others (Romans 3:23).

But, a proper sense of our own faults, in marriage, childrearing, and Christian living, should cause a humility that addresses the faults of others not with stones but with prayer and compassion, "considering ourselves lest we also become tempted" (Galatians. 6:1). 

The Golden Rule Isn't All There Is to God's Will

Golden Rule God's Will Obedience

Source: The Irrational Atheist, pages 259-260

Contributed By: Rod Crowell | Date Posted: 2012-12-11

Scripture: James 1:25

Author: Vox Day
1

ILLUSTRATION

Vox Day writes, "Jesus Christ's version of the Golden Rule, given in Matthew 7:12, is merely summary advice, not the whole basis of Christian morality. 'So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.' This is practical advice given in the context of a general admonishment and it cannot possibly be the essence of Christian morality, for in the very same chapter, Jesus informs his listeners that 'only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven' will enter that kingdom. He did not say 'only he who does to others what he would have them do to him....' Obviously, a moral system based on loving the Lord your God (Matthew 22:37) and obediently submitting your will to His is a...far more objective one than the Golden Rule, which is subject to human rationalization and psychopathy."

APPLICATION

Mr. Day's warning is a good reminder that the Golden Rule is a summary statement of what our moral INTENTIONS should be. It is not a summary of the entire Christian MORALITY.  "If we would all just follow the Golden Rule.." is a noble desire, but isn't meant to replace the other commands of the New Testament.

"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25).

O, Ye Nominal Christians!

Oppression Golden Rule Carnality

Source: “OLAUDAH EQUIANO” as published on AwesomeStories.com, retrieved 6/5/12

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-06-28

Scripture: Matthew 7:12 ; Luke 6:31

Author: Editors, Awesome Stories
1

ILLUSTRATION

"Olaudah Equiano, born in 1745 (in what is now Nigeria) … was one of the first Africans to live through chattel slavery and write about it. …

"The first time the young lad set eyes on a slave ship, he was terrified. He thought he was brought on board to be eaten by the white men:

‘When I looked round the ship too and saw a large furnace of copper boiling, and a multitude of black people of every description chained together, every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow, I no longer doubted my fate and quite overpowered with horror and anguish, I fell motionless on the deck and fainted...I asked if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks, red faces and long hair?’
Conditions on board ship were so bad … many of the kidnapped Africans thought death was preferable to living on a slave ship. Some of the captives jumped into the water, committing suicide. More would have followed had the crew not stopped them."

"Equiano's ship arrived in Barbados. He, and the other captured Africans, were sold as slaves on the Caribbean island. He spent many years at sea as the slave of a naval man. Although he became a freeman in 1766, for the sum of forty pounds sterling, he never saw his family again.

AwesomeStories.com is a site dedicated to providing original sourcing of historical information. Follow the link to source above for additional links to view original documents.

APPLICATION

"Thanks to the Library of Congress, you can read an early edition of Equiano's narrative. Initially published in 1789 - when he was Britain's leading abolitionist - Equiano's book asks compelling questions:

'O, ye nominal Christians!' he proclaims. 'Is this what you learned from your God who said to you ‘Do unto all men as you would have them do unto you’?'”

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12, cf. Luke 6:31). "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8).

The Beauty in Brokenness

Brokenness Transformation Grace

Contributed By: Cornelius Clark | Date Posted: 2024-05-15

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6 ; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Author: Cornelius Clark
1

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Woman Who Threw Burrito Sentenced to Work in Fast Food

Empathy Justice Punishment

Contributed By: Da Al | Date Posted: 2024-03-11

Scripture: Philippians 2:3 ; Romans 12:19

Author: Da Al
0

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

The Gift of the Moleskin Pants

Christmas Friendship Grace

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2024-01-03

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Corinthians 9:15

Author: Illustration Exchange
14

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Beauty In Self-denial

Die To Self Dead (to sin) Selfless

Contributed By: Ivan Bennett | Date Posted: 2023-08-11

Scripture: Matthew 16:24 ; Galatians 2:20

Author: Ivan Bennett / Illustration Exchange
3

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Grace Sufficient for a Serial Killer

Grace Forgiveness Judging

Contributed By: Mark McClelland | Date Posted: 2023-03-20

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Author: Based on the writings of Max Lucado, from his book
4

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

You Can't Outrun God In An Excavator

Restoration Accountability Grace

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2022-08-26

Scripture: Psalms 119:32 ; Psalms 139:7

Author: Illustration Exchange
6

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

A Great Singing Audition Highlights A Tone Deaf Humanity

Grace Spiritual Blindness Idolatry

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2022-08-07

Scripture: Romans 1:25 ; James 1:17

Author: Illustration Exchange
6

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or