What is character and how is it transformed?
Character “is the pattern of thinking and acting which runs right through someone, so that wherever you cut them, you see the same person through and through” (Wright, 2010, p. 27). Character transformation is imperative for a person to convey their genuine self. Wright expresses character transformation in three steps. First, you have to aim at the right goal. Second you have to figure out steps you need to take to get that goal. Third, those steps have to become habitual, a matter of second nature (Wright, 2010, p. 29). As Whitney states in Spiritual Discipline for he Christian Life, “Discipline without direction is drudgery.” Like everything else in life, you must have discipline in order to see change.
How does Wright differentiate a Biblical from a Greek moral framework?
Wright differentiates biblical and greek views by comparing them to three-dimensional and two-dimensional models. The Biblical framework is the three dimensional model, where as, the Greek framework is the two-dimensional model. Similar to Wright’s argument of forming daily habits to achieve a goal, Aristotle emphasized practicing the strengths of character until they become second nature. Jesus and his followers basically agree with Aristotle’s views, except they believe that behavior is habit forming. If a person has a good behavior, then his/her character would also be good and therefore morally upright. The main difference is that Aristotle was looking at the person transforming their character for selfish reasons. Jesus and his followers look at transforming character for the good of all, with the common goal of becoming member of the kingdom of God. Aristotle’s philosophy is a great starting point, but it cannot result in the “life of a fully formed, fully flourishing Christian character” (Wright, p. 32).
Wright reveals that his position is with Jesus and his followers by stating, “the central thing that is supposed to happen after you believe, is thus the transformation of character”. I agree with Wright’s position. Allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you during your process of transforming is crucial. For many years I was following Aristotle’s concept. Even though I was a “good person”, I was only doing what I needed for myself with no consideration of others. After I embarked on my journey of Christianity, my mind-set started changing and I realized that I was indeed being selfish. Now that I have allowed the holy spirit to work with me during my transformation I see that my character effects others. To be a follower of Christ you must think of your fellow man. Character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us – Romans 5: 4-5.
How does character relate to the Kouzes and Posner leadership model and Maxwell’s reflections in chapter 3?
Character is the foundation of Kouzes and Posner’s leadership model, which is: Model the Way, Inspire a shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart. According to Kouzes and Posner, Powerful leadership emerges when your life matches the message. “When what I am and what I do match up, I have both character and credibility. If they don’t match up, I’m in trouble as a leader” (Kouzes 47). In John Maxwell’s reflection on modeling the way, he identifies five principles that help leaders model the way:
Work on yourself before you work on others, Work on yourself more than you work on others, It is easier to teach what is right than to do what is right, People do what they see, The example of others profoundly impacts our lives (Kouzes 42). The first two principles are describe that act of character transformation. The other three principles are all a reflection of character. In the Navy we have a saying that you either learn what to do, or what not to do from a leader. This reigns true that the examples of others profoundly impacts our life. If a leader has good characteristics, people are more inclined to listen to what they have to say and follow them.