I belong to an organization upholding virtue is a core value. But I bet it’s not a word any of hear all that often, let alone speak of it. So, it begs the question, what exactly is virtue?
A simple definition of virtue from Dictionary.com points to strong moral conduct. However, seeing that Edwards designed his resolutions as a form of self governance, I am inclined to think it is their second definition as follows:
conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.
His 12th resolution then, one seeking riddance of enjoyment from pride, vanity, and the like is about purging empty ones.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 12
Edwards’ Resolution #12 (as it was written)
Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
Edwards’ Resolution #12 (in my modernized language)
If I revel in pride, vanity, or other empty virtue, I’ll rid myself of it.
What is True Virtue?
Seven years after his passing, Edwards’ “The Nature of True Virtue” was published jointly with “The End for Which God Created the World” as he considered them to be complementary. Through them, Edwards argues God’s purpose in creating the world is His own glory as opposed to human happiness. That being the case, true virtue is not found in self-love or other selflessness. Our motives, then, should be to see God’s glory displayed. The love of one’s self, their family, or country (patriotism) is secondary and of value only in its magnification of God’s glory.
“…a truly virtuous mind,” he says, “…above all things, seeks the glory of God, and makes this his supreme, governing, and ultimate end.”
True virtue is, by its nature, anchored in faith. And it is through faith, then, that we seek to live upright and in right moral conduct. And, as we mature and grow spiritually, our faith is fortified and the spiritual fruit within us mature to further exhibit God’s glory.
What is Common Virtue?
In addition to true virtue, defined as obediently trusting in God (faith) for God’s glorification, Edwards also presents what he calls “common virtues.” A common virtue is one that is born of fear or prideful selfishness. It’s a matter of motives.
Am I obedient because I desire some “fire insurance” for eternity? Perhaps I am obedient because I expect God will grant me success, fame, or fortune… it’s a matter of seeking God’s glory, or my own selfish interests.
Edwards posits that we should be thankful for the common. That’s because, despite all its shortcomings, has brought everyday niceties to our world. However, Edwards also points out that the common alone is incapable of reforming the human heart. That’s because a value gained from a selfish act creates only a greater selfish desire for more. On the other hand, true virtue stems from a heart that’s truly communing with God in worship.
Why Empty Virtue is More than Vice
“If faith doesn’t anchor virtue, it drifts, willy-nilly, toward the rocks or the chasm… just as vital and indispensable to the life of virtue is the presence of the Spirit. If the Spirit does not stir, fill, and direct both our life of faith and our quest for virtue, all our virtues will grow stunted and bitter, like fruit strained out from hardscrabble ground. Such virtue is usually no more than a repertoire of self-serving gestures.”
– Mark Buchanan – Hidden in Plain Sight
Many suggest that the opposite of virtue is vice. I don’t think I can agree with that. In a traditional sense, yes. You see, a vice is something generally considered to be immoral, sinful, criminal, rude, taboo. In other words, it’s fully destructive and holds no uplifting value to society.
Smoking, alcoholism, gambling, pornoraphy, etc. All are considered vices. And they are. I am hard pressed to find uplifting value in any of it.
All the aforementioned, along with the myriad of unmentioned vices, degrade the greater good. However, an empty virtue is something that goes further.
And empty virtue serves the self at the expense of God’s glory. Pride, vanity, greed, lust. All are drivers of vices. And all of them lead us to foolishly believe we don’t need God. That we can find contentment as lone rangers.
It short, empty virtues build up only ourselves; not others, and not God’s glory.