Educating a 'Good' Person

We often use the word ‘good.’ Good weather, a good car, good memories, a good relationship, a good class, a good trip, and so on. But what is the essential meaning of ‘good’? In particular, what does a ‘good person’ mean?

For reference, the antonym of “good,” which is “bad,” is defined as unhelpful, useless, harmful, breaking established laws or rules, dishonest, evil, and cruel. That is why it is wise to distance oneself from or cut off bad people or bad relationships, and it is important to build and maintain relationships with good people.

Now, let us picture a player standing on a golf course. They are perfectly dressed, have refined manners, and strictly observe etiquette. However, no matter how stylish they look on the outside, if their tee shots go erratically left and right into OB (out of bounds) and they continuously make serious mistakes on every hole, can we call them a ‘good golfer’? Unless they are doing it intentionally, they would certainly be a ‘bad golfer.’ Therefore, in sports, being ‘good’ goes beyond courtesy and appearance—it means excellently performing the essential function and purpose required by that sport. It means doing what you are supposed to do ‘well.’

In his book Mere Christianity, the philosopher C.S. Lewis used a tennis player as a similar example. No matter how expensive a racket you hold, what branded clothing and latest shoes you wear, or how nimbly you move your body, if you cannot hit the ball over the net to the opposite court with your racket, and if you continuously fault because you cannot serve, such a player cannot be called a ‘good player.’

Lewis explained that a person who is truly human—that is, a good person—is one who keeps ethics and morality, comparing it to the ‘navigation of a fleet.’ If each person is viewed as a ship, human life is like many ships sailing together. And for that fleet to navigate successfully, it must possess three elements:

1. Internal Integrity: The internal machinery of each ship must not be broken (an individual’s inner self and character).

2. Social Harmony: The ships must not collide with one another (social ethics and relationships).

3. Common Purpose: All ships must advance toward the same designated destination (the ultimate direction of life).

Isn't that a clear explanation?

Interestingly, modern society focuses almost exclusively on the second element—‘not colliding with others.’ Believing that such a society is a “good society,” it continuously creates more laws and rules, drawing lines and warning people not to cross them. But what is the reality? Even with detailed laws in place, do people not break the law, violate it, or misuse it to create even more lawsuits and conflicts? This happens frequently not only in general society but also in religious organizations like churches.

So why do these frictions and collisions occur? It is because broken ships and bad people exist. According to Lewis’s example, it happens because ships sail with broken steering mechanisms—that is, the moral standards and consciences within the human inner self are broken. If a ship's compass or engine does not work properly, there is a high probability of colliding with nearby ships. No matter how many rules of navigation are created, if one cannot keep those rules or intentionally breaks them, accidents are bound to happen.

An unclear destination is also a major problem. If ships randomly choose their own destinations and sail off, they cannot be called a fleet. Collisions would occur right from the moment they leave the dock, and ultimately, they would drift here and there before ending their journey fruitlessly. Families, churches, schools, communities, businesses, and nations are all communities. In such places, a selfish member who pursues only their own interests is like a cancer that causes great harm to the community.

Twenty-seven years ago, I established New Covenant Academy to produce next-generation leaders and members. It is the first accredited Christian school established in Korean-American immigration history. One of the reasons for this school's existence is to produce ‘truly good people’ who properly organize their inner selves, excellently perform their given roles in their respective positions, and lead communities well by possessing and realizing right values. As Lewis put it, it is to create true leaders and good people who sail together toward the right destination as members of a fleet, pulling weary, suffering, and frail members by connecting them to their own ships.

There are many people who look fine on the outside. However, people with good inner selves—that is, good character—are rare. Let us all resolve to become good people, good spouses, good friends, good believers, and good colleagues. And let us pass down such an example as a legacy to our children and the next generation. It is a very difficult task, but it is undeniably a most worthwhile achievement.