Christian Ethics

The Nature of Christian Ethics

*Christian Ministerial and Church leaders should study and seek to understand the ethical and
moral teachings of the Bible. Christians make no excuses for immoral, and it is difficult to distinguish
Christians from the world.

Dr. Thomas Buford Maston wrote in the preface of

his book, Biblical Ethics, *“An outstanding weakness, of contemporary Christianity is ethical or moral.
The flock of God{church} can be especially vulnerable to the invasion of immorality if not it has
been instructed in the ethical implications of the Holy Scriptures.
Professor Maston further states that a major factor contributing to moral breakdown “is the
tendency to separate faith from daily living, theology from ethics.”
*The teachings of the Bible from the basis of our ethical values, our personal convictions, and our
practices. Because of many problems and situations believers face in the living Christian life in
contemporary society, the people of God should seek to understand the historical background related
to the scriptural teaching and to search for meaning for Christian living today.
*The minister, teachers and other church leaders should, therefore, seriously study Christian
ethics “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12

Definition of Christian Ethics

The word ethics come from the Greek ethos and means the customs or practices that are
approved by a given culture.
We call ethics the science of morality. It may be classified as a normative science in contrast to the
more exact descriptive science, such as mathematics, biology, and physics.
Ethics is a study of the principles by which man live in his society.

Emil Brunner defines Christians Ethics as

human conduct that is determined by divine conduct.

The Relation of Ethics to Other Discipline

*To Philosophy
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 Philosophy has been called the first of the sciences.
Ethics was a subdivision of philosophy and was called deontology, or the doctrine of duties. Later
deontology was divided into jurisprudence (duties demanded by the law) and ethics (the duties not
demanded by the law).
What is the relationship between ethics and philosophical ethics? Philosophical Ethics includes some
systems which were propounded by the Greek philosophers before the time of Christ.

Georgia Harkness (The Source of Western Morality) mentions six

important movements which had ethical overtones and left an important stamp upon the minds of the
West.

1. The Sophists’ relativism with the belief that “man is the measure of all things.

2. The Socratic concept that “knowledge is virtue”(asset)

3. The Platonic ideal of harmonious self-realization in conformity(traditional) with eternal and

objective values.(ethics)

4. The Aristotelian sense(wisdom) of proportion and the right performance of natural function

5. The Epicurean ideal of refined pleasure(desire) and enlightened self-interest

6. The Stoic ideal of self-controlled living actuated(started) by an immanent(inherent) Logos

pervading all nature and all men.
*An emphasis upon the distinctiveness of Christian ethics magnifies the sufficiency and the
superiority(advantage) of Christians interpretation of good life over all other systems.

To Theology
There is a very close relationship between theology and ethics. Theological beliefs form the
basis for conduct. The two cannot be isolated. God is the subject of theology, and His
righteousness sets the ethical conduct. God’s righteousness sets the ethical goals of man.
For this reason, there will be frequent references in this study to the relationship between religion
and ethics in the law, the prophetic messages and the teachings of Jesus and Paul.

To Sociology
Christian ethics is closely related to sociology which is the study of human relations and ways in
which men can live together in harmony and happiness. Christian’s ethics seeks to infuse Christian
principles into society. It may bring a message of judgment upon conditions which the impediments to
the welfare of mankind. It will awaken man to recognize the spiritual values which can enhance life.
Sociology needs assistance from Christian ethics in its efforts to better the social and moral
conditions within the society. Christian ethics give to sociology a basis of authority which is spiritual
and eternal.

To Economics
Christianity is closely related to that which occupies so much of man’s time-his work and other
factors. The field of Christian ethics can help man to establish proper values for his work, the place of
material possessions, the use of his leisure time, and the stewardship of his life. It may pass
judgment upon his values and help him establish a more Christian value system.

To Citizenship
Christian ethics give illumination to man as he/she faces his/her civic responsibilities. It helps him
to know what a Christian should do when political corruption exists; it can give him some sound
principles to follow as he exercises his right and responsibility to vote in local and national elections; it
can help him to establish criteria that are adequate in such problems as war, crime and its
punishment, and pollution. Christian ethics emphasizes the ethical character of the God whom we
serve, the moral nature of man, the worth of every individual in the sight of God, and the importance
of love as the central virtue in life. In decision making, love will be accompanied by justice,
tenderness, and humility.
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To Psychology and Psychiatry
These discipline deal with the common areas of life. At times psychiatry has looked upon religion
as a deterrent to mental and emotional health, and certainty some expressions of religion are more
harmful than beneficial.
Psychology and Christian ethics are both interested in the place of motivation in human conduct,
out of a right motive, is the goal in both disciplines and the two can assist each other in their attempts
to help man to achieve this end. Psychology has helped religion to see that much religious activity
can be the outward expression of inner conflicts for which the individual is seeking a solution.

Why Study Christian Ethics?

A study of Christian ethics helps us distinguish between what is vital and what is peripheral in
life. For instance, some groups get very upset over such issues as the proper dress for women, the
refraining from certain activities on the Sabbath, and the matter of following Paul’s injunction
concerning the role of women in the church.
Christian ethics attempts to make us aware of the issues prevalent(rampant) in our day.

THE ETHICS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Testament revelation forms the basis the teaching of Jesus and the writers of the New Testament.
The Old Testament is part of the word of God for man’s benefit and the message which contains
value as today. The testament has been made that there little that is new in the ethical teachings of
Jesus because all that He taught is recorded somewhere in the Old Testament.
For this reason, we search the Old Testament for the roots of his teachings.

THE ETHICAL GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Jehovah contrasted with other god.
We are surprised of the lack of information about the ethical nature of gods worshiped by others.

Molech, god of the Ammonites, worshiped by

means of human sacrifices in which the victim was burnt
Completely, just as animal were sacrificed in the Levitical system.

Another false god about whose ethical nature we know nothing is Dagon. He
was the god of the Philistines and had the physical form of fish with human head.

The Personality of Jehovah

Jehovah was the personal name of the God who called to Moses from the burning bush. His name is
related to the idea of the existence and eternity. He called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees and
spoke to him in a personal manner.

THE ETHICAL IMPLICATION OF GOD’S NAMES

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 Elohim- this term for God appears some 2,500 times in
the Old Testament. The significance of this word is “power” or “strength” and the Bible use it refer to
the creative acts of God in the first chapter of Genesis.

Jehovah- this name of God used to most frequently in the Old Testament, both independently and in
combination with their terms. The origin of the word is obscure, but the most widely accepted opinion
is that it come from the verb haya, which means to be or existence.

Jehovah is righteous and demands righteousness in man (Psalm 11:7)

Adonai- this word for the Lord carries the meaning that man should be in absolute submission to
his will. The term was used by slaves to refer to their masters. The slave is the exclusive property of
his Lord and he has the responsibility to obey, and to protect his masters.

El Shaddai- this name emphasizes the all-powerful nature of God who is completely capable in
supplying all man’s needs(Gen. 35:11; Joshua 7:8; Isaiah 8:7, 13:6) he is the God who manifested his
power in multiplying the descendants of Abraham and I making the nation great.

Justice- the Old Testament emphasizes the justice of God as one of His moral attributes. Early in
the history of the nation, God said: “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall
be children are put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”

Righteousness- this attributes presented in various passages Old Testament. The righteousness of
God means that He works correctly and justify with each man. When Abraham learned about God’s
plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he asked: “shall not the judge of all the earth do right?(Gen.
18:25). God in his righteousness is willing to pardon the repentant sinner.” Then will I teach
transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from the blood
guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue sing a loud of thy righteousness.”(Psalm
15:13-14).

Holiness- God is holy. His holiness is revealed through the reverence which the people showed in
relating to him. The Old Testament, perhaps the prominent than his immanence. God’s holiness is the
basis for insisting that man be holy: “For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctity
yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am: neither shall ye defile yourselves with anay manner of
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Leviticus 11:44)

Mercy- Although we God’s justice and severity at times in the Old Testament, we also see
manifestations of his mercy. When Moses was descending from the mountain, he saw the people
were worshipping the golden calf. He became so angry that the tablets of stone which he was
carrying. Later he prayed to God to forgive the people of their sin. God did, so Moses gave testimony
to God’s mercy.

Love- The love of God is another moral attribute that is reflected to the Old Testament. God’s love
may be seen in the covenant which he made with the children of Israel. In Deuteronomy 7, Moses
tried to explain his reason for God’s choice of Israel.(Deut. 7:8). Hosea presented God’s love in a very
dramatic manner by paralleling it to the love which he had for Gomer, his wife, who proved unfaithful
to him.
(Hos. 11:4) It is evident that the ethical character of God is such that He demands the same qualities
in man.

THE MORAL NATURE OF MAN

Next to the nature of man his potential before God should be examine. During the last one hundred
years, we have seen several different concepts expressed and promoted about man’s nature.

It is based on the image of God

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The biblical account indicates clearly that man is the creation of God (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; Psa. 8;
100:3; Job 10:8-11).
The image of God in man consists of the Godlike qualities which man possesses.
This likeness may also include man’s dominion over creation and his capacity to enter into
communion with God.
Man’s action give authority to the fact that he has that divine spark which we call “God’s image.”

It is affected by sin
We have already mentioned about experience of disobedience as recorded in Genesis 3, and its
effects about man and his relationship to God. Traditionally the Christian Church has tended to lay at
the feet of Adam and Eve the blame for all that has gone wrong in the world. Subsequently biblical
material seems to indicate that Adam’s sin tapped the scales in such a way that all other human
beings in all the course of history are predestine to the sinners.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND ETHICS

The religion of Old Testament presents the relationship with God as basic to all aspect of life. To have
this relationship man needs to respond freely out of his own inner being to God’s initiative in revealing
himself to man.

Lesson from Adam and Cain

When God saw that Adam had sinned and had hidden himself in the Garden of Eden, He asked the
question:Where art thou?”(Gen. 3:9) God was aware that communion between Himself and man had
interrupted because of man’s shame and fear, causing him to try to hide from God. Adam realized
that his own disobedience to God had affected the close ties which had existed between them.

After Cain had killed his brother, God asked him: “Where is Abel thy brother?”(Gen.4:9) This question
illustrates God’s concern for each person that He has created and implies that each man ought to be
interested in his fellowman as the object of God’s interest.

The Relation of Sin Against Man to Sin against God

The close relationship between religion and ethics is also illustrated in the fact that sins against one’s
fellowman were also considered to be sin against God.
The prophet Nathan went to the royal house to deal with David because he had sinned by taking
Bathsheba and by causing the death of her husband Uriah.

THE SUPREME GOOD

When the term* “the supreme good” is used, it refers to the all-encompassing goal that one has
throughout life. This goal becomes, in a sense, a quest that is challenging and relevant to each
individual during the of this life.

The covenant
God called Abraham and promised to* bless him, to make his name great, and to multiply his seed
upon the face of the earth(Gen. 12:1-3). This covenant was renewed with Isaac and Jacob. But the
covenant idea came into complete fruition with the Mosaic Law. The *sacrificial system was a
constant reminder of God’s instructions to the people. As they participated in the ceremonies, they
were renewing their vow to God to be His people. --In the sacrificial system, the people became more
aware of their sin and the meaning of atonement and forgiveness.

The Kingdom of God

Another Old Testament scholar has created quite following by unifying the message of the Old
Testament and God’s goal for man in the theme of the Kingdom of God. *John Bright traces this
concept from the time of the entrance of the *Habiru (Hebrews) into Canaan through the time of the
judges, the united and the divided kingdom, the disintegration in the destruction of Israel and later
Judah, and the captivity and restoration.
With the emphasis upon Israel as the people of God, a deeply moral note was injected into the fiber
of the nation. They were reminded frequently of God’s promise to be their God on the condition that
they obey His Laws. “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant then
shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine” (Exo. 19:5)

THE LIMITATION OF OLD TESTAMENT ETHICS

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The Ethical principles of the Old Testament and thus the moral ideals of the people of Israel were
much higher than those of the surrounding nation. The early stages of the history of the Israelites can
be likened to the first steps taken by a child. Their moral sensitivity had to be developed, and this
development took place during the course of their history.

The Legalistic Quality

The Israelites were not always faithful in their fulfillment of the requirements of the Law, but the
environment of legalism did seem to characterize this stage of their development. Towards the end of
the Old Testament history after the return from the Exile, there seems to have been new emphasis
upon the rigidity(firmness) in following the teachings which had come from God.

The Incomplete Characteristic

God revealed himself and made His will known to the people according to their ability to understand
and response. God had to adapt His ideal to the level of the people in each stage of their history. This
concept will be dealt with more thoroughly when moral difficulties in the Old Testament are discussed.
The principle of “eye for eye and tooth for tooth,” although a step forward over what had been
practiced previously, later gave way to Jesus’ challenge of forgiveness without retaliation.

The Lack of Universality

Much of the Old Testament was spoken for a particular group or nation and did not become
universally applicable. The Israelites had different attitude towards the Egyptians, the Philistines, the
Edomites, and other nations that were enemies. The Old Testaments law made provision for the
foreigner in the land and tried to encourage a humanitarian attitude towards him. The Israelite was
prohibited from charging interest on loans to a fellow countryman but was permitted to charge interest
to others.(Deut.23:19-20).

The Moral Difficulties in the Old Testament Ethics

A consideration of the ethical teachings of the Old Testament would not be complete without some
reference to the moral difficulties which are found.

Difficulties Related to God

We get the impression from a study of the Old Testament that God was opposed to the offering of
human sacrifices. Yet we have in Genesis 22 the record of God’s telling Abraham to go up to Mount
Moriah and offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Although this commandment seems to contradict all that
God has said and done previously, Abraham was obedient to the point of being ready to slay his only
son. When God saw Abraham unquestioned obedience to His commandment, He made other
provision for the sacrifice. God’s providing the ram made it possible for Abraham not to sacrifice his
only son.

The commandment of God for the Israelites to exterminate the Canaanites presents a more serious
problem. God promised that He would drive them, along with Hittites, Amorites, Jebusites, Perizzites,
and Hivites, out of the land before the Israelites (Exo. 23:28; 33:2; 34:11) Since Canaan inhabitants
were pagan and idolatrous people, God’s intent was to prevent the mixture of pagan practice with the
worship of Jehovah. W.S. Bruce explains that there were only two alternatives: “Either the Canaanites
were to be spared to contaminate Israel with their abominations, until the latter became wholly to unfit
to the instruments of revelation, or they must be swept off the face of the earth.”

Difficulties Related to Man

A second group of moral difficulties involves the evidence of imperfect character among some of the
most outstanding men of the Old Testament whom God used in dramatic ways. Abraham lied, saying
that Sarah was his sister and not his wife, in order to save himself(Gen. 20:1-7) Noah got drunk after
the flood(Gen. 9:20-24) Jacob deceived his father and the birthright from Esau(Gen. 27:24-34).
Moses killed an Egyptian (Exo. 2:12-21). David committed adultery(2 Sam. 11:2-4). Solomon had
many wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:3).
Three things can be said about this matter
*1. God does not require that a man be perfect in order to use his gifts.
2. The Bible pictures life in a realistic manner, without trying to cover up man’s imperfections.
3. God probably used the men who were most dedicated and capable of serving Him.

Difficulties Related to Defects in the Moral Law

Some of the teaching in the Law present substandard level according to our standards of morality. In
general, the legislation concerning divorce, slave, women, and justice seems to below today’s

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requirements. The laws concerning divorce, as set forth Deuteronomy 24, gave greater protection to
the wife. The laws concerning slave were characterized by clemency and protection of slave.

The Solution to the Moral difficulties

By our standards of morality, the laws and practices in the Old Testament were in many cases
deficient. However, the conditions of that day were probably more advanced as a result of the religion
of Jehovah and His Teachings than in any other nation. God’s Laws were an accommodation to the
level of comprehension and living of the people of that day. The most adequate solution to the moral
difficulties lies in the principle of progressive (broad minded) revelation. God revealed Himself and His
will to man step according to man’s ability to assimilate it and to live by its standards. This means that
God’s requirements today may be higher than during Old Testament times.

Chapter 3 Christian Ethics

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION
Before Noah
The Creation Account
The biblical record in Genesis relates that God created the heavens and the earth, and upon seeing
all that He had done, “God saw that it was good”(Gen 1:25)
The God of creation is moral and acting has moral goals for man, and wants to have perfect harmony
between Himself and creation.
The fall of man
But soon the temptation by Satan appears in form of a serpent. Man succumbs to the temptation
and disobeys God, and his fellowship with God is consequently interrupted. A discussion of the way
sin is transmitted is not necessary in a treatment of ethics, but perhaps it should be said that man
cannot cast the blame for his sin upon his ancestors or upon Adam. Each man falls because of his
sins. Although it is true that we may inherit the moral weakness which inclines us towards sin, it is
necessary to recognize the personal responsibility that each man has for his sin.
Sin from Adam to Noah
Genesis paints a dark picture of the abysmal(terrible) depths of sin in the lives of many characters in
the early history of the Old Testament. Hatred between human beings became evident when Cain
killed his brother Abel. At the same time Cain did not want to recognize his responsibility before God
even when the blood of his brother was crying out from the ground. The practice of killing all
members of an enemy tribe when it defeated(cherem), as illustrated in the pages of the Old
Testament is still a grave problem in the world today.
*Thus corruption reigned throughout the earth, and God was disappointed with man for what he had
done with His good creation.
From Noah to Moses
The negative consequences of not obeying God’s ideal of monogamy in marriage are seen in the
difficulties that came to Abraham and his home after taking Hagar and having relations with her in
order to have descendants (Gen. 16; 21) The results of favoritism within the family circle are seen in
some of the conflicts between Isaac, Esau, and Jacob (Gen. 25:1934; 27:1-28:9)

The lack of love among blood brothers and the jealousy that resulted from giving special privileges to
some are illustrated in their interchanges between Joseph and his brothers(Gen. 37) The lack of
vengeance on the part of Joseph is a virtue( quality) that few Christians possess even today.
Although the descendants of Abraham were slowly developing into what eventually became a nation
they had to learn the basic laws of God with reference to justice, equality, and mutual respect.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
There are several terms which are used in referring to the Ten Commandments. “Word of Covenant,”
Two Tablets,” and “Decalogue” are some of these terms.
+Words of the Covenant is used in Exodus 34:28
+Two Tablets refers to the tablets on which the commandments were written by God for
Moses (Deut. 4:13; 10;4)
+Decalogue was the first used by Clements of Alexander.

John Calvin and others made a division of four and six. The four commandments refer to duties to
God and the six commandments refers to duties fellow human.

1.The One God

“Thou shalt have no other god before me” (Exo. 20:3) This commandment prohibits polytheism and
emphasizes the unity of God. No creature nor any object made by man should receive the worship
that belong to God. The commandments also excludes syncretism, which was a perpetual temptation
for the Hebrew.

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2. Idolatry
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image , or any likeness of anything that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exo. 20:4) This
commandment prohibits the adoration of images or, in other words, demands purity in worship. God,
a spiritual Being, cannot be reduced to something material( Deut. 4:15-19) There is always the
danger of substituting, through the use of symbols and images, the objects created by God and
fashioned by hands for God Himself, although religious leaders insist that these images are only aids
to worship. God is jealous of man’s worship and is not pleased with his worshipping other gods.

3. Reverence for the Name of God

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Exo. 20:7) This commandment
emphasizes the importance of reverence for the name of God. It condemns insincerity in worship, the
trite(common place) use of God’s name in oaths in the courts, and profanity(curse) (Lev. 19:12) The
name of God is important because it illustrates the personality and the nature of God.

4. The Day of Rest

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exo. 20:8). The basic significance of the word
shabbath in Hebrew is rest. God made man in six days and rested on the seventh day. The Sabbath
was a symbol of the covenant between God and His people(Ezek.20:12) It came to be a special day
of gratitude for the deliverance from slavery in Egypt(Lev.19:34; Deut 5:15) and a means of
remembering the Passover each week. For the Hebrew, the Sabbath was a day of rest and worship.

Christians in early years after the ascension of Christ changed the day of rest and worship from
Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week, because this was the day on which Christ arose from
the grave Sunday is now called the Lord’s Day.

5. Honor for Parents

“Honor thy father and thy mother…”(Exo. 20:12) This commandment is in the center of the ten and
forms then transition from the duties which are related to God to those which are related directly to
man. Among the Hebrews, the parents were considered to be representatives of God therefore, this
commandment still formed for them a part of the first table. The teaching of the Law concerning the
attitudes of children towards their parents were very severe on those who lacked honor and respect
(Exo. 21:15)

6. The Sanctity of Life

“Thou shalt not kill” (Exo. 2013) The word that is translated kill means to break into pices; thus it
means homicide or murder. The purposes of this commandment are to declare the sacredness of
human life and to protect it. Man is made in the image of God, and the act of killing man involve the
destruction of that which is sacred in God’s eyes.

7. The Sanctity of the Home

“Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exo. 20:14). This commandment affirms the sacredness of
marriage. It presents an ideal for mankind in any epoch. The home is second in importance after
affirming sacredness of life. Adultery is a sevenfold vice; it harms the individual, the family, the
society, the nation, the race, the universe, and God. The punishment of adultery in the Old Testament
was death( Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22)

8. The Sacredness of Property

“Thou shalt not Steal” (Exo. 20:15) This commandment defend the right to own private property. The
social system that do not recognize this right do not take into account a basic need and right of every
person-to have something which she can call her own. Some people have abused this right by
becoming covetous and by making the acquisition of property and money their god. This attitude is
wrong, but on the other hand, the Old Testament does speak of the right of man to possess material
goods ( Exo. 21:16; 22:1; Deut. 19:14; 1 King 21:14-18).

9. The Sacredness of Truth

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exo. 20:16) This commandment refers
to the obligation to give a good testimony with reference to one’s neighbor. The principal teaching of
the commandment has to do with the courts systems and the duty of speaking the truth when one is
under oath.

10. The Sin of Covetousness

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“Thou shalt not covet…” (Exo. 20:17) Barnette says that this commandment has to do with one’s duty
towards himself. The word “covet” has the significance of “drooling” (dribbling) or having an anxious
desire for something. It has more to do with attitudes and motive within man than with his action.
Covetousness, in its multiple forms, is the last sin of the noble souls as well as that of the
ignoble(immoral) ones.