Christian Ethics

Christian ethics is essentially concerned with morality and aims to provide guidance on the optimal
way of living, based on God's revelation as outlined in scripture.
It emphasizes the prioritization of loving God and one's neighbor in all ethical and moral dilemmas,
which is viewed as superior to alternative systems of thought.
The subject matter entails a comprehensive analysis of Jesus' teachings and lifestyle, with a focus on
their practical application to the multifaceted challenges and choices encountered in human
existence.
Through faith in God, as the energizing center of one’s being, individuals are required to seek to do the
will of God by loving supremely and treating their neighbor with the same level of respect and care as
they would treat themselves. This approach is commonly referred to as agape.

5 Proofs of God’s Existence by St. Thomas Aquinas

The Argument from Motion
Thomas argues that since everything that
moves is moved by another, there must
thereby exist an Unmoved Mover.
Our senses can detect motion by observing how objects
interact with one another. Something else moves whatever
moves. As a result, there must be a First Mover who initiates
this chain reaction of motions. This is God. God sets everything
in motion and gives it potential.
1. "But nothing can be reduced from potentiality
to actuality, except by something in a state of
actuality" (419).
2. Nothing can be at once in both actuality and
potentiality in the same respect.
3. Therefore nothing can be at once in both
actuality and potentiality with respect to
motion
4. Therefore nothing can move itself; it must be
put into motion by something else.
5. If there were no "first mover, moved by no
other" there would be no motion.
6. But there is motion.
7. Therefore there is a first mover, God.
The Argument from Efficient Cause
The sequence of causes which make up this universe must have a First Cause.
Nothing can cause something to exist itself, hence everything must have a cause or
something that has an influence on something else. There would be no other causes if there
was no first cause. As a result, God is the First Cause.
Nothing is the efficient cause of itself.
If A is the efficient cause of B, then if A is absent, so is B.
Efficient causes are ordered from first cause, through intermediate cause(s), to ultimate
effect.
By (2) and (3), if there is no first cause, there cannot be any ultimate effect.
But there are effects.
Therefore there must be a first cause for all of them: God.
The Argument from Necessary Being
Since all existent things depend upon other things for their existence, there must exist
at least one thing that is not dependent and so is a Necessary Being.
Because objects in the world come into and out of existence, it is conceivable for those objects to
exist or not exist at any given time. Nothing, however, can come from nothing. This suggests that
something must be present at all times. This is God.
1. "We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be:" contingent beings.
2. Everything is either necessary or contingent.
3. Assume that everything is contingent.
4. "It is impossible for [contingent beings] always to exist, for that which can not-be at some
time is not."
5. Therefore, by (3) and (4), at one time there was nothing.
6. "That which does not exist begins to exist only through something already existing."
7. Therefore, by (5) and (6), there is nothing now.
8. But there is something now!
9. Therefore (3) is false.
10. Therefore, by (2), there is a necessary being: God.

The Argument from Gradation

Since all existent things can be compared to such qualities as degrees of goodness,
Who is St. Thomas Aquinas?
there must exist something that is an Absolutely Good Being.
Different things have varying degrees of goodness. According to the "Great Chain of Being," which
argues that complexity increases gradually, created items progress from unformed inorganic materials
to biologically complex beings. Therefore, there must be a being of the highest form of good. This perfect
being is God.
1. There is a gradation to be found in things: some are better (hotter, colder, etc.) than others.
2. Things are X in proportion to how closely the resemble that which is most X.
3. Therefore, if there is nothing which is most X, there can be nothing which is good. Members
4. It follows that if anything is good, there must be something that is most good. 1.
5. "Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, 2.
goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God" (420). 3.

The Argument from Design

4.
5.
Also named “The Teleological Argument”— The intricate design and order of existent 6.
things and natural processes imply that a Great Designer exists. References
Everything has an order or layout that leads to a specific objective. Because the order of the universe
cannot be the result of chance, there must be design and purpose at work. This implies divine
intelligence on the part of the designer. This is God.
1. We observe that natural bodies act toward ends.
2. Anything that acts toward an end either acts out of knowledge, or under the direction of
something with knowledge, "as the arrow is directed by the archer."
3. But many natural beings lack knowledge.
4. "Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end;
and this being we call God" (420).