Can I just cover a few things? Epistles like the book of Philippians weren’t so much the “Word of God” as kind of early church newsletters that were carried around on horseback in the days before email. And the key term there is ambition…selfish is just a modifier. What Justin was talking about is selfishness as a motive for action. Kind of like if Jesus said, “Hey, I think that this thing I am doing is the right thing; in fact I must do it. I know people will be sad and stuff, but I won’t be satisfied unless it happens.” See there – self satsifaction, a “selfish” desire. Just for an example.

Justin, we have talked about this and I think that you have a very good point. As part animal, we are wired to evaluate costs and benefits in every choice. Without that mechanism we would have never survived. The negative connotation to selfishness is a modern invention that we can use to beat ourselves up with. Shouldn’t we just live with it, and live mindfully?

And Steve, bringing a subjective theological argument to a philosophical discussion? Kind of like bringing a knife to a gunfight, isn’t it?

I would think that God would not command us to live a lifestyle that not even Jesus Christ was capable of. Therefore, using God as an example, based on His character and attributes, I have to disagree with your theory.

I just heard that verse today in church and totally thought about your theory, so, I had to comment.