Module3

• Christian ethics


  A method of determining right and wrong based on the understanding and interpretation of the Christian message. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Christian message.
• Christian ethics


  A set of principles derived from the Christian faith by which we act. The Bible gives us a detailed instruction on how we should live.
• Christian ethics


  A systematic study of the way of life exemplified and taught by Jesus, applied to problems and decisions of human existence.
• Significance of Christian ethics

  • Guides Christians in making right decisions
  • Helps differentiate between what is vital and peripheral in life
  • Assists people in determining their goals in life and help them realize these goals
• Biblical basis of Christian ethics

  • Based on the Scripture as God's communication and authority
  • Based on God's will and unchangeable moral character
  • Based on a strong foundation of the absolute - God Himself and His divine character
  • Based on God's revelation in nature and Scripture
  • Based on the character of God
  • Based on the atonement of Christ
  • Prescriptive, not just descriptive
• Old Testament ethics


  Grounded in the laws, character and nature of the monotheistic God
• New Testament ethics


  Centred on the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus Christ, with the common ground of the revelation of God and His Word
• Principles governing New Testament ethics

  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind
  • Love your neighbor as yourself
• The ethics of God stresses the sacredness of human life. God does not want human sacrifices.
• New Testament ethics


  The common ground with the Old Testament is the revelation of God and His Word
• Revelation of God in the New Testament


  • Assumes His lordship over His creation
  • All aspects of life - attitudes and actions are subject to God
• New Testament ethics


  Has a saving outlook on life
• The Word of God reveals that mankind fell into sin, but God offers reconciliation through Christ
• Principles governing the New Testament ethics

  • 1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
  • 2) Love your neighbor as yourself
• The basic ethical understanding or concepts of God are:
• God is Ethical


  • The ethics of God stresses the sacredness of human life
  • God does not want human sacrifices
• God is Creator


  • Behind the interpretation of evil as the corrupted good is faith in God as the Creator
  • He is not responsible for what is wrong with us
  • He is not the source of evil that threatens us
  • He is the only source of what is right with and about us
• God is Righteous


  • He demands righteousness from all people
  • Righteousness is a moral and ethical obligation of people in the society
  • It should be centered in the attitudes of the heart
• God is Provider


  • El Shaddai or Jehovah Jireh is the name of God which stresses his capacity to supply human needs
• God is Justice


  • Justice is the property of law or measured by the standard of law
  • God emphasizes justice and upright living
  • He wants people to repent from their sins and to live with what is just
• God is Merciful


  • Mercy is reciprocal by nature
  • It is to the merciful that God will show mercy
• God is Savior


  • In the Old Testament God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptian slavery
  • He sent His only Son Jesus to save us from our sins
• God is love


  • The concrete love of God was seen in a manger
  • He came down to identify with his loved people
  • He challenged his people to love one another
• Criteria of Christian Ethics

  Basis or norm for ethical conduct
• Criteria of Christian Ethics

  • Criterion of right
  • Criterion of good
  • Criterion of fit
• Criterion of right


  Emphasizes the duty of man
• Duties of man


  • Practice what is true and noble
  • Be productive
  • Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God
• Criterion of good


  Emphasizes the purpose of man
• Highest good


  • Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
  • Do the will of God from the heart
• Criterion of fit


  Emphasizes the situation of man
• Standards or the Final Authorities for what is Right or Wrong

  • Jesus Christ
  • The Word of God
• Methods of Christian Ethics

  Guide Christians to practice the prescribed criteria and standards
• Methods of Christian Ethics


  • Intuition
  • Faith in God
  • Reason or Power of discrimination
• Intuition


  • Insight, instinct or moral sense
  • Perception or conscience
• Faith in God


  Discerning God's will by relating our own life to Jesus Christ through the workings of the Holy Spirit
• Reason or Power of discrimination


  Thinking and analyzing certain situations, implications of experiences before making moral decisions
• Most Important Principle of Christian Life

  Jesus' ultimate purpose is to establish the kingdom of heaven in the human heart
• Principles to live by to have the kingdom of heaven in everyone's heart


  • Abiding trust and faith in God in all circumstances
  • Sincerity and honesty before God and man
  • Genuine humility
  • A forgiving and merciful spirit toward all
  • An unqualified love for God and for your neighbor
  • Absolute loyalty, faithfulness, and obedience to the Word and will of God