English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
Critics of the Golden Rule have devised what they consider a new and improved replacement maxim known as the Platinum Rule. The Golden Rule originates from the Bible in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “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;cp Luke 6:31). In contrast, the Platinum Rule was developed from the ideas of human philosophers such as Karl Popper, who wrote, “The golden rule is a good standard which is further improved by doing unto others, wherever reasonable, as they want to be done by” (The Open Society and Its Enemies, Vol. 2, Addenda, 1961, 1965, Princeton University Press, pp. 485–511).
Proponents of the Platinum Rule falsely claim to have improved on God’s Word. Their thinking aligns with critics like George Bernard Shaw, who stated in his Maxims for Revolutionists, “Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same. . . . Do not love your neighbor as yourself. If you are on good terms with yourself it is an impertinence: if on bad, an injury. The golden rule is that there are no golden rules” (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013, p. 1).
The Platinum Rule directs us to treat others as they want to be treated and not as we want to be treated. The concept has gained traction with secular motivational speakers and in the business world as a strategy for keeping customers satisfied. On the surface, the Platinum Rule doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. It seems compatible with Paul’s instruction to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
4″>(Philippians 2:3-4).
Most advocates of the Platinum Rule misinterpret Christ’s Golden Rule. Distorting the truth is a common strategy of the devil, who has been distorting God’s Word and misrepresenting it since the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1-4, 13). This tactic is also frequently used by skeptics who argue that the Scriptures convey something different or opposite to their actual meaning. Once the skeptic establishes a false interpretation or definition, they can then criticize that interpretation as absurd and illogical. Unfortunately, advocates of the Platinum Rule devalue the Golden Rule into a defense of selfishness, which it is not, by any means.
The Golden Rule of Jesus Christ becomes evident when seen in the correct biblical context. After cautioning the crowd against the hypocrisy of judging others’ faults without considering our own shortcomings, Jesus proceeded to explain how to rely on God to fulfill our needs: “You parents—when your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:9-12;NLT).
Jesus equates the Golden Rule to a summary of the law of Moses and the prophets—in other words, everything taught in the entire Old Testament. Followers of the Platinum Rule who discard the Golden Rule in favor of their supposed improved version are essentially disregarding the complete guidance of God in Scripture. Later, when comparing the Golden Rule to the greatest commandments, Jesus said, “‘You must love the Lord your God with allYour heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40;NLT).
The whole point of the Golden Rule is to eliminate selfishness and cultivate empathy, which is “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” (OED). Throughout the Bible, self-centeredness is condemned, and the Golden Rule is emphasized (see Leviticus 19:18,34;Romans 13:8-10;Galatians 5:14;James 2:8). Jesus exemplified self-sacrifice and servanthood in all He did (Matthew 20:28;Philippians 2:6-7). He urged His followers to do likewise and prioritize the desires and needs of others before their own (Mark 9:35;Mark 10:45;John 15:12-13). The Golden Rule is realized through the servanthood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:11;Philippians 2:1-11).
Jesus isn’t the Divine Customer Service Representative of the Platinum Rule who simply gives us what we desire; He is the faithful and Good Shepherd who provides us with what we truly need (2 Corinthians 12:9;Philippians 4:11-19). Like Jesus, we are called to empathize with others to genuinely comprehend their needs and how we can assist them. Christ didn’t impart easy lessons, but challenging ones—some that can only be followed with God’s supernatural assistance «I am the vine, yeHere are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) and through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:16-17). The Golden Rule is a challenging, selfless teaching, not the easy, selfish lesson of the Platinum Rule.
The Platinum Rule attempts to replace biblical truth with worldly wisdom. It insists on catering to all people in the name of inclusion and tolerance. But it is an attack on God and His eternal, perfect Word by His three main enemies—the world (John 7:7; James 4:4), the flesh (Romans 8:5-9; Colossians 2:13), and the devil, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8), who is the “father of lies” “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44). If we listen to Satan’s deceptions, we will be led astray from the truth (Romans 16:18; Revelation 12:9). If we live by God’s Word, we will practice the Golden Rule.
