Christian Ethics

Christian ethics asks "What is God calling his people to be and to do?" The answer God and Scriptures provide applies to the individuals, to relationships between individuals, to social organizations, the family, civil government, and the visible church.

Martin Luther Our faith in Christ does not free us from works but from false opinions concerning works, that is, from the foolish presumption that justification is acquired by works. Therefore [the Christian] should be guided in all his works by this thought and contemplate this one thing alone, that he may serve and benefit others in all that he does, considering nothing except the need and the advantage of his neighbor.

Philo of Alexandria Philo of Alexandria was notable in history as one who interpreted the Ten Commandments as summary principles of all the Mosaic law. He further divided the ten into two sets of five commandments. The first five defined the monarchical principles by which the world is governed. The other five provide the prohibitions which allow all mankind to live in peace.

How We Look at the Commandments

Command or counsel. Scripture provides direction for our lives. But, there is a difference between commandments that express God's will for everyone in every condition and principles that call for prudent judgment in our current situation relative to our gifts and opportunities. Counsel does not provide a definite yes or no regarding each situation. Counsel that offers principles often provides opportunities for learning and growth.

Scripture describes Christianity as a way of life. As such, it represents a prolonged course of action, rather than a series of isolated events. God prescribes practices that reflect his own righteousness and character so that we may more fully bear the image of God; these practices are intrinsically good. The primary practices Jesus identified as major concerns are justice (krisis), mercy (eleos), and faithfulness (pistis). These are echoed from the Old Testament where justice (mispat) or righteousness (sadaq), mercy (hesed) or compassion (rahamim), and faithfulness (`emunah or `emet) are repeatedly emphasised.

Many say there are three basic Christian views of the law, primarily, the ten commandments.

Civil Restraint. The law was given by God to preserve peace and the social order. The law often acts as a halter or bridle to restrain actions of those who do not care about what is right and good unless threatened by the dire consequences of violation. The law helps the church carry the gospel to the people in a peaceful environment.
Spiritual Mirror. The law describes actions that fall short of God's character. As such, it helps reveal in individuals and mankind in general how far short they fall from God's standards. It helps mankind understand their need of a savior.
Spur to Good Deeds. The law, written upon the hearts of the believers, teaches the will of God to which they aspire. The law shows the goal toward which believes are to strive.

Jesus indicated that Christian morality must extend beyond the law. Not merely murder, but hate is wrong. Not merely adultery, but thoughts of adultery are wrong. It is clear, that Christian morality must go beyond the law to something more.

To solve this requirement, some take the normative ethical position regarding Christian ethics. In this model, we examine three areas: the collection of commands and statutes (precepts), the principles behind the individual precepts, and the justification for the principles in the person of Jesus Christ.

Precepts of God

The precepts are of at least two kinds:

Precepts in accord with the will of God. These are commands or statutes that express God's will for a given people for a given time in a given situation. For example, the command to Abraham to sacrifice his son was within God's will, but was for Abraham only. The command to build an ark and load it with animals for a yearlong expedition was for Noah only. The commands to sacrifice lambs and goats was for the Jews only during Old Covenant times.
Precepts in accord with the nature of God. These are commands or statutes that express God's will for all people for all time in all situations. Such commands as "Thou shall not steal," or "Thou shall not murder," or "Do not lie one to another" are meant for all people. The Jews describe laws that were given to Noah and his sons to be passed on forever more. These are commands in accord with the very nature of God.

The precepts that concern us are those that are in accord with the nature of God. These express specifics of God's will for all mankind.

Principles Behind the Precepts

Principles such as: Honesty, Integrity, Justice, Righteousness, Respect, Loyality, Bravery, Faithfulness, Unity, Trust, Honor, Civility, Humility, Love, Compassion, Generosity, Mercy

Principles are the generalizations that can be made from the universal precepts. Such principles as mercy, love (for God and fellow humans), honesty, unity, and justice are examples. These are the principles with which a Christian can decide if an act is right or wrong, moral or immoral.

Person of Jesus Christ

The justification of the principles is God. The expression of God in human flesh is Jesus Christ. Jesus, as God who struck a tent in human flesh, is what God would be like were he to live again as a human being. Though Jesus does not live bodily among us today, his personality and character are described in Scripture. That personality and character embody the principles gleaned from the universal precepts.

Since Christians are to be "little Christs" or Christ-like, the justification for placing the "principles behind the precepts" as a standard for Christian moral conduct seems clear.

This concept of Precepts pointing Principles pointing to the Person of Jesus is the basis for the standard of morals under which Christians should live.

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