Ethics

2. The Christian and Ethics

3. Moral corruption in our time… Always characteristic of the worldly Religious people (Protestant & Catholic) are defending corruption too! Bible examples: Israel, Corinth Teaching is needed concerning Ethics!

4. Definition: Ethics • A system of moral principles • The rightness or wrongness of actions (dictionary.com) Note: A study of ethics is dominated by various philosophical schools of thought originating in the minds of men.

5. Judges 17:6 The Standards of Men

6. Examples of Humanly Derived Ethics • The Greeks (Acts 17:16-21)

7. Examples of Humanly Derived Ethics • The Greeks (Acts 17:16-21) • Epicureans– A hedonistic philosophy

8. Examples of Humanly Derived Ethics • The Greeks (Acts 17:16-21) • Epicureans – A hedonistic philosophy • Stoics– A perverted view of temperance

9. Examples of Humanly Derived Ethics • The Greeks (Acts 17:16-21) • Epicureans – A hedonistic philosophy • Stoics – A perverted view of temperance • Modern Day Ethical Philosophies

10. Examples of Humanly Derived Ethics • The Greeks (Acts 17:16-21) • Epicureans – A hedonistic philosophy • Stoics – A perverted view of temperance • Modern Day Ethical Philosophies • Consequentialism– Situation Ethics

11. Examples of Humanly Derived Ethics • The Greeks (Acts 17:16-21) • Epicureans – A hedonistic philosophy • Stoics – A perverted view of temperance • Modern Day Ethical Philosophies • Consequentialism – Situation Ethics • Postmodern ethic– No intrinsic right or wrong

12. Wikipedia article on Ethics “ZygmuntBauman says Postmodernity is best described as Modernity without illusion. The illusion being the belief that humanity can be repaired by some ethic principle. Postmodernity can be seen in this light as accepting the messy nature of humanity as unchangeable.” Well known Polish sociologist and theorist (1925-present)

13. John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you”

14. “…let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4) The Divine Standard

15. The Greatest Peril of Modern Man The greatest peril of modern man is his rejection of absolute authority. The rejection of authority, and the failure to respect it, is the primary cause for the problems being experienced in our homes, schools, and in our nation. In the spiritual realm, it is the source of disaster for multitudes. Bob Dickey (Guardian of Truth, 3/17/94, page 6)

16. Right or Wrong? God’s Word has the answers… Sexual Morality Sanctity of Life Corporal Punishment War, slavery, deceit, drug use/legalization, self-defense, civil resp., political involv., etc.

17. 1 Timothy 4:6 “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you”

18. The Man of God Must Be Careful! “…rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) Not allowing bias to color understanding (cf. 2 Peter 3:16) Accept the reality of Bible inspiration (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Keep away from evil paths (cf. Psalm 17:4-5)

19. Psalm 119:1-8 Applications

20. The Sanctity of Life Abortion Embryonic stem cell research Euthanasia Death Penalty Mandated abortive birth control

21. “Deeply Troubling” “This is a stifling decision for American women. It’s a decision that blocks women from being able to make their own health care decisions,” she said. “This is deeply troubling, because you have organized religions that oppose health care, period.” Representative Debbie Wasserman SchultzChairwoman/Democratic National Committeemsnbc interview, June 30, 2014

22. “Vague Moral Objections” “Can't believe we live in a world where we'd even consider letting big corps deny women access to basic care based on vague moral objections. The current Supreme Court has headed in a very scary direction.” Senator Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts)Twitter Post

23. Who has the right to determine when life begins? NOT man! (cf. Genesis 1:27) (1-3), “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’” (17-18), “Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the bread of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.” (Job 38:1-3, 17-18)

24. “Whenever WE define…” “Number one, whenever we define a previable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, that are what we’re really saying is, in fact, that they are personsentitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a – a child, a nine-month-old – child that was delivered to term. That determination then, essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place. I mean, it – it would essentially bar abortions, because the equal protection clause does not allow somebody to kill a child, and if this is a child, then this would be an antiabortion statute.” State Senator Barack Obama (Illinois) Senate Floor, 2001

25. Psalm 139:13-14 For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

26. Luke 1:41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

27. Sexual Morality Homosexuality Gay Marriage Divorce & Remarriage Polygamy Living together without marrying

28. “Marriage offers little benefit” We've heard married people are happier, but that might not be a reason to rush to the altar, according to a new study. In terms of health, self-esteem, and psychological well-being, marriage offers little benefit over simply living together without wedding rings, the study found. It's the relationship itself, rather than its official status, that's key to its benefits, said study researcher Kelly Musick, an associate professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology. "Being in a romantic relationship, irrespective of the legal form, does provide benefits over remaining single," Musick said. Today.com (Health), January 19, 2012

29. What is Infidelity? “Infidelity is breaking a promise to remain faithful to a sexual partner. That promise can take many forms, from marriage vows sanctified by the state to privately uttered verbal agreements between lovers. As unthinkable as the notion of breaking such bonds may be, infidelity is common—and when it does happen, it raises thorny and painful questions. Should you stay? Can trust be rebuilt? Can you and should you forgive and move on?.” http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/infidelity

30. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Fornication (porneia,πορνεία) – “illicit sexual intercourse” (Vine’s) Note: God defines what intercourse is illicit, not man!

31. Colossians 3:5-7 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

32. Corporal Punishment Adrian Peterson controversy Two separate indictments for child abuse Equating all corporal punishment with abuse

33. “Avoid physical punishment altogether” “There is a good deal of research that has already been conducted that shows that anything beyond very mild physical punishment does not work in the long term and has negative consequences. While not all child development experts agree, my advice to parents is to avoid physical punishment altogether; there are simply more effective ways to teach and discipline your child.” Alan E. Kazdin, PhDvia American Psychological Association website, May 5, 2012

34. Make Spanking Illegal? “It's 2014, not 1814. It's time for violence against children to be illegal, in all forms and all forums, regardless of the ‘culture’ you were raised in.” Mel Robbins CNN commentator and legal analysthttp://www.cnn.com/2014/09/15/opinion/robbins-spanking-adrian-peterson-case/

35. Proverbs 13:24, 20:30, 22:15 (13:24), “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (20:30), “Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart. (22:15), “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

36. Slavery All types of prejudice is sinful (incl. Racism) Are all types of bond service equally evil? Is the Bible anachronistic as seen by how it deals with Slavery?

37. Slavery is immoral “Except for murder, slavery has got to be one of the most immoral things a person can do.  Yet slavery is rampant throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments.  The Bible clearly approves of slavery in many passages…” http://www.evilbible.com

38. Slavery is immoral “Apparently, God never figured out that slavery was wrong. Or, He does have a moral issue with slavery, it is just that He is a terrible communicator. If you think that God condemns the institution of slavery, you have to wonder why God is worse than the UN at communicating that idea. Not a pretty dilemma.” conversationalatheist.com

39. Bible does not outlaw, but regulates slavery • Old Testament • Anti-harm laws (Ex. 21:20, 26-27) • Anti-Kidnapping laws (Ex. 21:16; Deut. 24:7) • Anti-Return laws (Deut. 23:15-16) • New Testament • All men are equal (Jas. 3:9; Gal. 3:28) • “liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:17-21, spiritual) • Fair treatment (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1)

40. Philemon 8-16 (15-16), For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

41. Conclusion “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

42. Other Issues and Resources • Abortion http://tinyurl.com/m3bkjkr • Euthanasia/Suicide http://tinyurl.com/lueegut • Death Penalty http://tinyurl.com/ln29hxz • Polygamy http://bibleanswer.com/wives.htm • Divorce & Remarriage http://tinyurl.com/myspghd • Conscientious objection/War http://tinyurl.com/pd94tkm • Self defense http://tinyurl.com/kuqbvx4 • Intoxicants http://tinyurl.com/mfkluqk • Lying http://bibleanswer.com/lying.htm • Gambling http://tinyurl.com/lropg54