INTRO TO THE BIBLICAL
FOUNDATIONS OF
ETHICS
Dr. Josiah B. Andor
INTRODUCTION TO
CHRISTIAN ETHICS
Lesson One
LESSON ONE
INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN ETHICS
• The term “ethics” comes from the Greek
word ethos, meaning “habit, custom, and
law.” It is used in the New Testament in the
sense of custom and law. The Latin
equivalent to the Greek word is mos (Plural
mores), from which we get our term
“morality.”
Human behaviour is mostly determined
by the view of society about things and
issues. Ethos was used to designate the
customary rules that defined human
conduct. The said regulations provided
society with stability and security. In
their thinking, things were done because
that was the way it had always been.
ILLUSTRATIONS
• The monkeys and the banana’s in the cage: We do the
things we do because that is the ETHOS of the cage we
find ourselves in.
• The Tourists and the Palace Guards: They guraded an
ancient tree that no longer existed. We guard certain
traditions in society because ”It has always been so”
• However, during the fifth century BCE,
there was a revolution in their thinking.
They began to think like philosophers.
They began asking philosophical
questions:
How can ethical principles (what we have
always done) be justified?
What is the meaning of terms such as
“right”, “good”, etc.?
These questions changed the trend of
thinking about moral values. Thus, Ethics
can now be described as a branch of
philosophy.
It is a moral philosophy, or a philosophical
thinking about morality, moral problems
and moral judgements.
Ethics is therefore the study of moral
behaviour. Morality is usually associated
with sexual behaviour, but in the field of
ethics, it means believing and doing what
ETHICAL ANALYSTS ATTEMPTS TO
ANSWER SEVERAL QUESTIONS:
• Why should we be moral persons? I.e.,
why should we do what is right and good?
(the reasons for moral behavior)
• Where do we find moral principles? (the
source(s) of proper moral behavior)
• What do we mean by justice, love, etc.
(defining moral principles and what is
right and good)
• How should people behave? (determining
how people should act in specific
APPROACHES TO THE
STUDY OF ETHICS
• There are at least three approaches to the study
of ethics.
• theological or religious ethics,
• philosophical ethics, and
• Christian ethics.
• Though they have many things in common, they
are essentially different in terms of motivation,
sources, and to some extent, structure.
THEOLOGICAL OR
RELIGIOUS ETHICS
• This is a particular religion’s
(usually non-Christian religion)
own perception and
understanding of God. Thus, we
have Hindu ethics, Islamic ethics,
etc.
PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS
• This is the prevailing system of ethics today.
It goes back into Greek Philosophy when
people began to question traditional modes
of conduct in the light of new situations and
concerns. Important ethical questions were
raised:
• On 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
CHRISTIAN ETHICS
• This is a different ethical system. It originates
in a different set of presuppositions than those
used in Philosophical ethics. It is a revelational
ethic and hence a theological discipline.
• Christian ethics places God at its centre and
analyses the following questions:
I am a believer in Jesus Christ and a member of
his church, then how should I behave in every
aspect of my life
• It is the task of Christian ethics to give
an answer to that question. That is, in
Christian ethics, the individual is
thinking about the implications and
impact of his/her Christian faith in the
private, social, and religious life.
• As has been stated already the centre of
Christian ethics is God and not man. In
Christian ethics, the analysis begins with
God, ie, with his own revelation in the
Bible. The Bible, therefore becomes of
great importance in the study of Christian
ethics. The basic question among Christian
ethicists is: what is the function of the
Bible in Christian ethics?
• Just like philosophical ethics,
Christian ethics also faces
challenges. Today, many ethical
problems are encountered by
Christians. Some of those
problems are:
• Artificial insemination, Organ
transplant, Cloning, Euthanasia,
Nuclear weapons, Pornography.
Abortion, etc.
• As educated Christians, we should be
able to express positions on those issues
in an intelligent manner. Some of these
will be explored in the study of this
course.
• Christian ethics therefore involves the
combination of the ethical Christian and
the profession.
ETHICS AND MORALITY
IN CHRISTIANITY
• Ethics and morals are behavioural
principles in humans that determine what
is right and what is wrong. As per the belief
of a common man, Christianity is a religion
that is bound by a certain set of rules and
regulations that have been imposed by the
Almighty. A Christian is required to follow
these principles that impose a sense of
morality and a specific ethical behaviour in
• Ethical practices in Christianity evolved
during the Roman era. This was the period
when early Christians were a part of Roman
Empire.
• Ethics in Christianity are primarily centred on
grace, mercy and forgiveness. A Christian is
expected to have thoughts and deeds that
are respectable and honourable and must
abstain from doing any sins.
• The three virtues indicated in Bible include
faith, hope and love. However, another four
cardinal virtues were adapted by Aquinas
• According to the New Testament, God is the
supreme power who is autonomous, independent
and is self-existent. Individuals should have
complete belief and love towards God with
unfettered heart, mind, strength and soul.
• The New Testament directs individuals to love
neighbours as one would love oneself. Morality
refers to good and evil.
• Religion of Christianity states that good exists only
in God. There is no other form of legitimate,
genuine and absolute “Good” except the God
Himself. It is God who reveals Himself and He can
only define His character of goodness.
• One can have complete understanding and
knowledge of goodness if they know God
through Jesus Christ. Goodness is not a
static structure. It is a dynamic state that
constantly flows.
• This means that in modern times, the
question of ethics and morality in
Christianity is being seriously debated. The
people from the old school want to hold on
to the preaching of the Bible while the
more progressive ones want to change
according to the times and situations.
