What is Best?
(Element 6: Shared Values)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22–23)

In every Worldview, The Ultimate Truth Source and the Master Story define what is True and what is Un-True (Lie). These values define what is good and what is evil, what is ugly and what is beautiful, what is just and what is unjust, etc.

This set of values is usually gathered together in some set of principles or laws that define the people of that worldview (A Code of Ethics that defines Morality). These Values are always worked out and spread through the retelling of the Master Story and all of the “smaller stories” that make up the Master Story. 

For centuries, philosophers and theologians have recognized three “transcendentals” that orient our thinking about values and virtue. These are Truth, Goodness and Beauty. These qualities are labeled transcendental because they stand above human culture and tradition.

Many times, the stated values of the group that holds a particular Worldview are not the practical, lived-out values of the group. An example would be someone who says that taking care of the poor is very important and the right thing to do, but never helps in taking care of the poor. Another would be someone who believes that praying is important but never prays. Some would believe that lying is wrong and yet lie multiple times in a day. What we actually do reveals our practical values. 

Questions to Ponder:

• What is Right?
• What is Wrong?
• What is True?
• What is Good?
• What is Beautiful/Glorious/Praiseworthy?