"end justify the means" Your thouoghts?

watty

Does the "end justify the means" or the "means justify the end"

Any thoughts in a Christian context?

loismustdie

isn't that machavellian more than christian? from a christian point of view i supose the end justifies the means - christians spend their lives preparing and waiting for eternity, is that what you mean?

watty

Curiously the "best" Christians may be ones that concentrate more on "now" than on "eternity".

I don't think we are meant to think too much about eternity. Most of Jesus teaching about "the Kingdom of Heaven" seems firmly rooted in how we treat our children, neighbour, spouse, parents, employees etc.

The Corinthian

Originally posted by loismustdie
isn't that machavellian more than christian?

Utilitarian, to be more accurate. While Christianity would reject such a philosophy, it would accept it in certain circumstances - after all, would the sacrifice of one’s own life be generally considered immoral with the exception of where it results (the end) is the salvation of another’s?

MeatProduct

Could I suggest that perhaps the means lead to the end. If one is to follow the ten commandments and the message of love that comes from the bible then through the practice of the means one may become enlightened/go to heaven.

JustHalf

I think you're phrasing things very loosely; and I'd question your theology here. You seem to be putting the "burden on salvation" on us. We can't gain salvation by "gaining enlightenment". All we have to do, and indeed all we can do, is accept the gift.