Week 4 RS243 Christian Ethics SRS1

Tutorial Summary Notes: Foundation of Christian Ethics

Review:

In the last week we covered the different theories in ethics and specifically looked at the normative ethics
which help us to make ethical choices.
Consequence based (teleological) theories argue that ethical decisions should be based on
consequence.
Duty based (deontological) theories argue that ethical decisions should be based on duties or
obligations as we are reasonable beings.
Character based theories argue that people will do the right thing because they have developed
virtuous habits.
Ethics of egoism argues that one has an obligation to pursue solely what is best for oneself as
human are selfish in design.
Relativism argues that there are no universal norms which evaluates the human action.

This session covers the Foundations of Christian ethics

Christian Ethics is the study of making moral decisions. It is inseparable from theology as it is grounded
in the character of God.

Two basic questions are asked in Christian ethics:

1. What is the highest good?

2. what is the standard, the final authority for what is right or wrong?
Week 4 RS243 Christian Ethics SRS1

The foundation of Christian ethics involves six topics

nature

basis

sources

subject

goal

motive

The discussion from here on will be on Christian Ethics and Biblical foundations in
Christian ethics.

From a Christian view point there are two fold answers to the two basic questions

1. From God Himself

2. From the Word of God

1. Systems of Absolutes

Unlike other ethical systems, the nature of Christian ethics is a system of absolutes. Christian ethics
presupposes the existence of God who has spoken absolute truths to human kind via Scripture

2. Nature of God

Christian ethics finds its origins in the person and nature of God, ethical principles are connected to the
Christian view. Divine command ethics says that our ethical duties are grounded in the Commandments.
We do what God commands and avoid what God forbids. The ultimate end of Christian Ethics is God, not
goodness. We find that, with God in the center, ethics is not based on self-interest, freedom, efficiency or
social utility.

3. The Bible

The basis or foundation of Christian Ethics is The Holy Bible (the Word of God). Gods standard of morality
(what people ought to do) is revealed in His WORD. The heart of the Old Testament is in the Ten
Commandments (Moral Law of Israel). The Sermon on the Mount is New Testament Ethics.

The rescue of Israel from Egypt is the foundation of Liberation Ethics in the Bible.
Week 4 RS243 Christian Ethics SRS1

4. The Nature of Human Kind

The subject of Christian Ethics is the nature of Humankind.

Humankind is unique in creation

Human beings are social creations
Human beings are sinners

5. The Love of God and human kind

The motive of Christian Ethics is Love for God and Humankind. Love for God and others is central to
Christian Ethics. If anyone says, “I love God”, yet hates his brother, is a liar.

Christian ethics is based upon motives. There are 3 ingredients of right motives

1. If the motive was pure, and the act was done in Jesus name. “And whatsoever you do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Col.3:17)
2. The act has to be done for the glory of God. The hearts of men will be examined by God to
determine if what was done was to the glory of God or to the glory of self. The act must be done in
faith.
3. The act must be done in faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Heb.11:6).

6. The Glory of God

The goal of Christian Ethics is for the glory of God. God is the source of all ethical standards, scripture
reveals that all persons must fear God and keep his commandments. (Ecc. 12:13, NIV)

Evaluations of Christian Ethics

Both Christians and non- Christians accept the following criteria as being essential to an adequate
ethical system

1. A standard
2. Justice
3. A motive- dynamic
4. Guidance or a model
5. A relationship between rules and results
6. Harmony

Ethical justice can be understood from 3 perspectives:

(1) Restorative justice focuses on the restoration of violated rights.

In restorative justice, Christian ethics sets forth a principle that affirms the equality and dignity of
all human beings.
Week 4 RS243 Christian Ethics SRS1

(2) Remedial Justice focuses on the present correction of past injustice.

In remedial justice Christian ethics assumes that past injustice must be amended in the present
and that past unjust behavioral patterns must change.

(3) Retributive justice focuses on the future and final accountability.

In retributive justice, Christian ethics offer the assurance that all the failures of human justice will
one day totally rectified, and true justice will be meted out accordingly.

Motive

Motives play a vital role in ethics because it carries the burden of assessment. A person will be judged
according to the motives of their acts. Christian Ethics provides an adequate motive to act morally.
Although sinful by nature, conversion of Holy Spirit enables Christians to pursue moral behavior.

Guidance

Guidance is the ministry (work) of the Holy Spirit. Christians also receive guidance from the scriptures
therefore Christians must be familiar with Word of God

Rules and results

Some ethical theories focus on rules (duty based theories), while some focus on results (consequence
based theories). Christian Ethics sets a balance between rules and results.

Internal Harmony

Whenever there are more than one absolutes, there will be hopeless conflict between absolutes.

“In attempt to lure Jesus into using conflicting absolutes, the religious intellectuals of his time posed the
following question.

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:36-40).

Jesus responds by using two principles as though they were one. “