From Heteronomous Morality to Autonomous Morality: The Case of the Old and New Testaments Tithing or Giving

The Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible represent different periods and contexts in religious and moral development. While it is important to note that moral frameworks can vary among different interpretations and denominations, we can generally discuss the moralities of the two testaments in terms of heteronomous and autonomous moralities.

The Old Testament based moral guidance mainly on a heteronomous moral framework. Heteronomous morality refers to a system of moral values and principles imposed by an external authority, such as God or religious laws. In the Old Testament, God's commands and laws were seen as absolute and binding, leaving little room for personal interpretation or autonomy.

The moral principles in the Old Testament were primarily seen as divine commands, and individuals were expected to follow them without question. Examples include the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which outline specific behavioral guidelines that believers are expected to adhere to.

The Old Testament often strongly emphasizes divine punishment for disobedience and reward for obedience. The narrative frequently portrays instances where individuals face dire consequences for transgressing God's commands, reinforcing the idea of a heteronomous moral system where obedience is paramount.

The Old Testament also contains numerous legal codes and regulations, such as the Levitical laws, which provide detailed instructions on various aspects of life, including dietary restrictions, rituals, paying tithes, and social interactions. Compliance with these laws was expected, emphasizing a legalistic approach to morality.

In the New Testament, we see the development of a more autonomous moral framework. Autonomous morality refers to a system of moral values and principles that are self-determined through personal reflection, empathy, and an understanding of universal principles of love and justice.

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, emphasize a shift towards a more autonomous morality. Jesus encourages his followers to go beyond external observance of laws and rituals and focus on the internal attitudes and motivations of the heart. He emphasizes principles such as love, forgiveness, compassion, and treating others as oneself, which require personal reflection and understanding.

The New Testament places greater emphasis on personal responsibility and individual conscience. Believers are called to develop a personal relationship with God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and make moral choices based on their understanding of God's love and the teachings of Jesus. This underlines a move toward autonomous moral decision-making.

The New Testament also underlines ethical principles that transcend specific laws and commandments. For example, the Golden Rule, "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12), emphasizes empathy and universal ethical principles. This implies that believers are expected to make moral choices based on a sense of intrinsic moral value rather than relying solely on external commands.

It's important to note that while the New Testament represents a shift towards autonomous morality, elements of heteronomous morality still exist within Christian theology, particularly with the authority of God and the importance of religious teachings. Additionally, interpretations of moral frameworks may vary among different Christian denominations.

Malachi 3:8-10 provides an interesting perspective on the use of heteronomous morality in the Old Testament and its potential distinction from autonomous morality in the New Testament.

Malachi 3:8-10 says: "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

The passage portrays a heteronomous moral framework by presenting God's commandment to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. The command is presented as an absolute and binding obligation, leaving little room for personal interpretation or autonomy. This Scripture emphasizes the consequences of disobedience to God's command. It states that by failing to bring the full tithe, the people are considered to be robbing God and are under a curse. This highlights a heteronomous moral system where adherence to God's command is paramount to avoid negative consequences.

In the New Testament, there is a shift towards a more autonomous moral framework. While the passage from Malachi emphasizes obedience to a specific command, the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament encourage personal reflection and motivation for giving.

In the New Testament, the emphasis is on voluntary giving, driven by love and a desire to help others. For example, 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This suggests that believers should give willingly and from the heart rather than be bound by external obligations or commands.

The New Testament focuses on inner transformation and developing a loving and generous heart. Instead of merely complying with external rules, believers are encouraged to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to act out of genuine love and concern for others. This reflects a shift towards autonomous moral decision-making based on internal convictions and understanding.

While Malachi 3:8-10 reflects a heteronomous moral framework in the Old Testament, the New Testament introduces a more autonomous approach by emphasizing personal reflection, voluntary giving, and the transformation of the heart. The teachings of Jesus encourage believers to move beyond external obligations and legalistic interpretations of the law and embrace a more autonomous and compassionate moral perspective.

Whereas Heteronomous morality may limit personal growth and moral development by discouraging critical thinking, questioning, and exploring alternative ethical perspectives, autonomous morality encourages individuals to engage in critical thinking and moral reflection. Autonomous morality often promotes the development of empathy and compassion. When individuals are encouraged to think autonomously about moral issues, they are more likely to consider the perspectives and well-being of others. Through empathy, individuals can broaden their understanding of diverse moral viewpoints and cultivate a sense of interconnectedness with others.

This capacity for empathy contributes to personal growth by fostering emotional intelligence, social awareness, and the ability to navigate complex moral dilemmas. In the case of tithing, some Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit and upon deeper reflection, will realize that ten percent of their incomes are not the same as ten percent of the poor people's incomes. Some Christians may adopt the progressive rates of giving to the church. A progressive system of giving means the rate of the income you give to God's work increases as your income goes up. So for some Christians, it may be 15%, 20%, or 30%, or more than 30% of their incomes. That is why morality from within, as espoused by Christ, is better than morality from the external, as dictated in the Old Covenant.