Christian Ethics: Meaning and Moral Behavior

Introduction to Christian Ethics

• Ethics comes from the Greek word "ethos," which means habit, custom, and law, and is used in the New Testament to mean custom and law.
• The Latin equivalent of "ethos" is "mos" (plural "mores"), which is the origin of the term "morality."
• Human behavior is largely influenced by society's views on various matters
• "Ethos" defined customary rules that shaped human conduct, giving society stability and security.
• During the fifth century BCE, philosophical thinking began to emerge as people started raising questions about ethical principles and the meanings of concepts like "right" and "good."
• Ethics is now considered a branch of philosophy that studies moral behavior and deals with moral problems, judgments, and values.
• In ethics, morality means acting in accordance with what is considered right or good, not necessarily limited to sexual behavior.

Ethical Analysts Questions

• Why should people be moral, and why should they do what is right and good? (the reasons for moral behavior)
• Where can moral principles be found? (the sources of proper moral behavior)
• Definition of moral principles and right and good.
• How should people behave in specific situations? (determining how people should act in specific)

Approaches to the Study of Ethics

• There exist at least three approaches to studying ethics and they include. -Theological or religious ethics. -Philosophical ethics. -Christian ethics.
• Although these approaches share similarities, they differ in terms of motivation, sources, and structure.

Theological or Religious Ethics

• It is the perception and understanding of God within a particular religion, typically non-Christian.
• Examples include Hindu ethics and Islamic ethics.

Philosophical Ethics

• It is the current prevailing system of ethics, originating from Greek philosophy.
• Philosophical Ethics began when people started questioning traditional modes of conduct in the context of new situations and concerns.
• Important ethical questions raised included: -What basis does one have to do this action and not a different one? -Are there absolute ethical norms? -Or are the ethical norms relative, to be obeyed under certain circumstances but not in others

Christian Ethics

• It differs from philosophical ethics as a revelational and theological discipline with a different set of presuppositions.
• Christian ethics focuses on the question: -How should believers in Jesus Christ behave in every aspect of their lives?
• Christian ethics seeks to address this question by considering the impact of Christian faith on an individual's private, social, and religious life.
• God, not humans, stands as the center of Christian ethics.
• Analysis begins with God through His revelation in the Bible, so the Bible is very important.
• A fundamental question among Christian ethicists focuses on the role of the Bible.
• Christian ethics faces modern-day multifaceted ethical problems. -artificial insemination -organ transplants -cloning -euthanasia -nuclear weapons -pornography -abortion
• Educated Christians should articulate positions on ethical matters intelligently which combines ethical Christian values and professional conduct..

Ethics and Morality in Christianity

• Ethics and morals consist of behavioral principles in humans that determines what is right and wrong.
• Christianity operates according to certain rules and regulations, imposing a sense of morality and specific ethical behavior.
• Ethical practices in Christianity evolved in the Roman era, when early Christians were part of the Roman Empire
• Christian ethics focuses on grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
• Christians are expected to maintain respectable and honorable thoughts and abstain from sins.
• The Bible emphasizes faith, hope, and love as virtues.
• Aquinas adapted four cardinal virtues: justice, courage, and temperament.
• The New Testament describes God as autonomous, independent, and self-existent.
• Individuals should have total belief and love towards God.
• The New Testament directs individuals to love neighbors as they would love themselves.
• Morality refers to good and evil; Christianity teaches that good exists only in God, defining His character of goodness.
• Understanding goodness is possible through knowing God through Jesus Christ.
• Goodness is dynamic and constantly flows.
• Modern times see the question of ethics and morality in Christianity as seriously debated, with some wanting to uphold the Bible's preaching and others preferring change.