What Makes the Ideal Character... free essay sample

What Makes the Ideal Character?Character VirtueHuman character is the pattern of thinking and acting which runs right through someone (Wright, 2010, p. 27). Character defined by N. T. Wright is the transforming, shaping, and marking of a life and its habits, (p. 7). Character must be situated in terms of the all-embracing Christian experience, which is governed by the knowledge of the union of heaven and earth. The kingdom, both the present manifestation and its coming fulfillment, is the stage on which character is developed, always in the context of the mission of God. The transformation of a persons character is their virtue. Virtues are the different strengths of character which together contribute to someone becoming a fully flourishing human being (p. 34). The glory of virtue, in the Christian sense, is that the self is not in the center of that picture. God and Gods kingdom are in the center (p. We will write a custom essay sample on What Makes the Ideal Character or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 70). Virtue is the business of living as priests and rulers of Gods kingdom program. The key is understanding virtue as second nature.Transformation of CharacterCharacter is every aspect of human being behavior. It defines who a person is, their actions, and what they believe. Virtue is something that is learned over time, Its an acquired taste (Wright, 2010, p. 68). Character can be transformed by using three things, first is aiming to the right goal, second is figuring out the right steps towards the goal, and third is those steps must become a habit, or second nature for the goal to become a reality (p. 29). To becoming a good leader this transforming character into second nature virtues is what sets good Christian leaders apart from poor ones. Biblical Greek Moral FrameworkWright differentiates a biblical framework from a Greek moral framework with Aristotles development of the three-dimensional model points (Wright, 2010, p. 33). His goal was an idea of a fully flourishing human being because he believed that he saw the end of it all, happiness and human flourishing. However, the steps towards the goal, for Aristotle were the strengths of character which contributed towards the gradual making of a flourishing human being (p.33). If one worked hard enough he could reach his goal in mastering Aristotles virtues and would experience the true meaning of happiness. With the Biblical response, the account of God restoring the entire world displayed a much larger scope, though it also viewed the end of experiencing human flourishing. As with Aristotles stepping virtues, the Biblical approach is more well-rounded and ground-breaking.Wrights view is parallel with true Christian leadership. He shows the sanctity of mankind in the world and his practice shows of more use than compared to Aristotles end of mans happiness. Wrights view aligns with the Great Commission when Jesus summons his people to go out and make disciples, spreading His Word to all the nations and all the people (Matthew 28:19). We are to care and bless not our own lives but rather those of greater needs than our own. A leaders character virtues are not to reflect and make ones self-look better than others but rather improve the world through the kindness and loving Spirit given to us by God Himself. Modeling the WayChristian leaders who model the virtues of love, patience, self-control, and gentleness, build a strong personal character that exhibits traits that will make others follow in their footsteps. The man of integrity walks securely (Proverbs 10:9, NIV). John C. Maxwell discusses his reflections on how to Model the Way in chapter three of Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge. Leaders must build something great within themselves before even thinking about building something great in the world (Maxwell, 2006, p. 43). Aristotles virtues however, could easily be turned around and become about ones self-centeredness instead of the needs of others. They progressively move from genuine to hurting followers, causing them to turn away from their leader.How Flexible is My Moral Code?Moral code is defined as a set of values and principles that guide behavior considering change and opposing viewpoints however, this does not explain what counts as a good moral code and does not describe how a leader is to develop one (Badaracco, 2006, p. 31). Virtue and character are the nature and happiness of an individuals morality. Badaracco displays the concept of Moral Flexibility in his book, Questions of Character, through literature. Okonkwo and Moral FlexibilityPertaining to the flexibility of a persons moral code Badaracco observes Okonkwo in the story Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe (Badaracco, 2006, p. 31). Okonkwo is an African tribal leader who has a narrow fixed moral code. It is not flexible in what he believes right but rather in not turning into the man his father was. There is no remorse displayed for his tribe, he jeopardizes traditional religion, and he accepts moral code as a set of rules enforced by punishments (Badaracco, 2006, p. 50). Leaders must maintain balance between remaining true to their deeply held convictions and, at the same time, responding flexibility to the moral code and practical realities emerging around them (p. 52). With Okonkwo, as time passed his belief swayed his character and questioned his ability as a leader. He lost his followers and was eventually banned from his own community.Moral Flexibility and Modeling the WayLeaders must know what they believe in and then effectively communicate those beliefs to their followers. They are to stick with what they know and not sway in either direction. Good leaders do more than confront their failures and reflect in their reactions to them; they also look for explanations, and they start by looking at themselves rather than blaming others (Badaracco, 2006, p. 41). Okonkwo never stopped and looked around. He never tried to find out where his beliefs came from, what they were, and how to express them to his followers. This eventually made him a leader without followers (p.51). Without being morally flexible and aware of how ones followers respond to a leaders message, leadership in ineffective.Biblical Response A persons moral code should be flexible out of respect as it pertains to religious beliefs and customs not meaning we must agree with their beliefs however, we must respect them. That does not mean that one must be flexible in their virtues or transmission of the gospel. Hebrews 13:7, NIV states Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. We are constantly reminded by the Lord that His disciples are to constantly remain faithful to practicing and preaching His commandments. Leaders should greatly consider changing in how they communicate in creating a shared vision however, the message should never be altered.ConclusionWithout flexibility and morality, leaders fail to empower lifestyle and fail to cater towards their following party. This causes to serve only ones self and inevitably prevents followers from sharing the leaders vision. Flexibility conveys leaders without sacrificing integrity, they help assess where their convictions come from. Modeling Christian virtues is a leaders model towards the right lifestyle that uplifts their lives as well as impacting those that are all around. Virtues and flexibility form a character that is governed and received well, mix that with a Christian world view and here is where you have a well thought out, ultimate leader who others will follow for direction.