ήθος μου (my ethos)

Wiktionary defines ethos as "The character or fundamental values of a person, people, culture, or movement." The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "the characteristic spirit, prevalent tone of sentiment, of a people or community." Interestingly, there are several different ways that the Greek word "ἦθος" is used. Halloran (Wikipedia) argues that its root and intended meaning is really "a habitual gathering place," which may cause one to consider the idea of shared or communal values that arise from those gathering together frequently, and hence the idea of character or values.

What strikes me about this conversation is the inevitable connectedness between who we are (in terms of the values that we live out) and the community, philosophy, or "mind" which we would most frequently identify ourselves with. Specifically, as a Christian, I think of a verse written by the Apostle Paul to the Philippian church.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)

This verse speaks to the character of Christ, who humbled Himself and was willing to submit to the will and authority of God the Father. The "mind of Christ" certainly in some sense, speaks not just to His humility, but also to the transparency of self, to the revelation of that which emanated from Him. That is, Jesus did that which He was directed to by the one He was submitted to. (John 8:28, John 14:10, John 14:31). What He did was a consequence of his submission to God.

The character of self, and of me specifically (ethos mei), should emanate from that which I submit to, the One to whom I humble myself before, He whom I seek to represent. My character (actions resulting from values held) should be a reflection of the values that Christ taught. In our fallen world, and in my humanity, the degree to which I actually believe (and hence adhere to) those divine values, will be the degree to which my life visibly demonstrates those characteristics of Christ.

Another verse I like is Galatians 3:26-28.

“[Sons of God] You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This verse speaks to the "clothing" of a person with Christ. That is, the person is appears to have the attributes of Christ.

As I look at this dicussion then, it seems that my ethos deals with that which I claim to hold as fundamental values, whereas my character may be more about the degree to which my own actions align with that ethos. The question at hand is, "Who am I?" To be true to the values to which I adhere, I say that "I am a follower of Christ." This clearly states my source, my focus, my direction, and my success. It is intended to encompass both the values that Christ taught and lived, as well as my reaction of love to His grace. The actions I live out must then be in adherence to His character if I am to emulate it and provide a visible demonstration to others.

This explains, then, my primary purpose, the answer to "Why am I here?" I am here to be a visible demonstration of the message of Christ, of the love of Christ, of the values and character of Christ, of the grace and mercy of Christ, and of all that He is and declared Himself to be.