A few days ago I penned a post suggesting that we consider the Christian Life through a different paradigm than what I believe is ordinary.  I suggested the the fundamental gauge ought to be Humble vs. Proud, rather than Good vs. Bad and/or Right vs. Wrong.  I have received several positive responses, and I have been asked a couple times for some clarification. 

While I suspect few, if any, would suggest that Humble vs. Proud is not a valid grid, I understand how some might find it a bit audacious to say it should be the fundamental, or primary grid.  What makes this the predominant paradigm?

Humble vs. Proud is the grid within which these other standards fit.  

Let me explain:

First, Christianity is a substantive faith.  Doctrine is the way we express and transfer the substance of Truth.  So Right vs. Wrong is an important concept; an indispensible concept.  But God tells us that there is a knowledge that merely “puffs up”, a knowledge that may be true but which is not helpful.   It is not the substance of truth that it the problem. The problem is the condition of the heart that is receiving and processing this truth. 

What is interesting is that understanding  Truth also promotes humility.  Paraphrasing C.J. Mahaney: “Humility is seeing ourselves in right relation to God.”  In other words, the more we understand about God and about ourselves the more humble we wil feel. But paradoxically, before Truth produces humility the heart must already be humble before God.

Second, James tells us that we are known by our actions; that Faith without works is dead.  This underscores the importance of Good vs. Bad.  But our actions can be deceiving. Not only can we deceive others by our actions, but we often deceive ourselves.  Many people think of themselves as being loved by God because of their actions.  But this often stems from a false sense of righteousness. God tells us that our best efforts, if they are not generated from faith and a love for God, are as appealing as a filthy rag. And Jesus spoke to a group of people telling them that despite their “good deeds” he had no relationship with them. (See Matthew 7.21-23)

Again, while both the Good vs. Bad and Right vs. Wrong paradigms are important, and have their place, I still suggest that Humble vs. Proud is the most fundamental. Against this paradigm there is no warning. And it is only within this paradigm that the others get their meaning.