Today we feel the fairly technical question about whether or not our happiness is moral.

It's a question from a listener named Eric. Hello, Pastor John. This podcast is a tremendous gift to

me. I've listened from my conversion until now in seminary. That's incredible, Pastor John. We've

been doing this for the duration of someone getting saved and entering seminary. Eric continues,

I have a question regarding happiness. What would you say to this line from theologian,

John frame, quote, only persons in their actions and attitudes can be good in a moral sense,

but happiness is a condition or state of affairs so it can be considered good only in a non-moral sense.

End quote from the doctrine of the Christian life pages 91 and 92. He goes on to say this, quote,

there are many things the human beings value more than pleasure. One example is sacrificing one's

life to save the life of another. If we define pleasure so broadly as to include all other values,

including self-sacrifice, then it loses its meaning. It doesn't distinguish pleasurable from non-pleasurable

activities. End quote, that's page 93. My immediate reaction to this was, that's not right.

Piper and Edwards and Augustine all say that pleasure is what we all desire most,

and it is a moral good that God commands our joy in Philippians 3.1. Rejoice in the Lord.

But then frame, surprise me in the next chapter by saying this, quote, for scripture,

duty and happiness are not opposed, but in the long run reinforce one another. End quote,

this page 101, a frames book. That seems more in line with Christian hedonism, namely,

that our happiness and God's glory are not two separate things, but we must seek them both

together. So my question for you, Pastor John, is this, am I misunderstanding Christian hedonism

is happiness a non-moral good, or is it a moral good? Pastor John, what would you say to Eric?

It is very risky and unwatched. Chris says a great Christian figure on the basis of a sentence or

two that I don't see in context. John frame is a great and sound and helpful theological guide

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