What is the foundation for Christian ethics?
Just as a contractor must pay particular attention to the foundation of a building under construction, so must you and I pay attention to the foundation of our ethical decisions. Begin with a weak or faulty foundation and you will witness the crumbling of your ethical positions. Too often we are pressured to adopt ideals because of the economic impact, societal opinion, political correctness, or self-preservation. Will these bear weight of your decisions? I submit they will not. There must be a better way of discerning right from wrong, ethical from unethical.
The foundation that will stand the test of time and bear the weight of eternity is the Holy Bible. To summarize the response to a well known catechism question, ‘The Holy Scriptures are the only objective standard for faith and practice.’ God reveals Himself as the great Creator and the only God. As the Divine Creator, He has the right and authority to establish the law to which all are held accountable. In light of this, His Word becomes vital to the development of ethical standards. This truth renders it vanity to establish an ethical system upon any other foundation which contradicts the revelation of God.
Psalm 19:7-11 states:
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandments of the LORD are pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
The Bible’s wisdom is divine and its contents are trustworthy. Read it. Trust it. Conform your life to it. You too may some day echo the words, ‘its message is more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey.’
steve rives says:
July 30th, 2009 at 00:00
The ethic of the cross is this: bless those who curse, pray for your enemy, if you are forced to go one mile, go two. That ethic is something that enraged Nietzsche who understood it and rejected it. If we find our lives by losing our lives, then our ethic becomes upside down, and the cross becomes the paradigm for normative behavior, and winning becomes a stranger as we accustom ourselves to defeat. Indeed, the dying life becomes the Christian ethic, and the resurrection becomes the glasses. For we look beyond the present evil age of suffering, and we behold the new heavens and the new earth, and we see Jesus raised from the dead seated in glory, and we see the coming together of Heaven and Earth in one realm wherein righteousness dwells (and we there with it). The only name I know for this dying ethic is Jesus.
Steve
admin says:
July 30th, 2009 at 09:21
ditto…