CHRISTIAN ETHICS BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS Christian Ethics Biblical Foundations

CHRISTIAN ETHICS BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS

Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations Location: Christian Ethics - Biblical Foundations is studied in the Stage 6 Preliminary SOR I and SOR II course under Religious Tradition Study: Christianity Outcomes: P 3: Investigates religious traditions and belief systems P 4: examines significant aspects of religious traditions P 5: describe the influence of religious traditions in the life of adherents

Content

Key content Define ethics Define Christian ethics Locate and list where Christian ethics derive from Locate and examine Christian ethical teachings from the Bible Analyse how Christian ethics influences adherents Evaluate and relate Christian ethics to contemporary issues

Prior Studies: Sacred Texts and Writings

HSC – Christianity Ethics

Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations is also studied in stage 6 Catholic Studies

What is Ethics: is concerned with working out what is right or wrong, good or bad responses to personal, community or global issues Christian ethical teachings: are based on the belief that the human person is an image of God with intellect, free will and power of self-determination. Christian ethics focus on two key relationships: 1. Relationship with God 2. Right relationship with humanity

Christian Ethics The role of Christian ethics is to provide a guide for Christians so that their daily living reflects spiritual principles and supports the purpose and value of this world, and, in particular, so that their discipleship helps bring about God’s reign.

Biblical Foundations

The Ten Commandments (Decalogue) § I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods beside me § You shall not take the name of the Lord, Your God, in vain § Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day § Honour your father and mother § You shall not kill § You shall not commit adultery § You shall not steal § You shall no bear false witness against your neighbour § You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife § You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods EXODUS 20

New Testament Ethics The New Testament ethical teachings are those outlined by Jesus in his ministry to the people who heard him preach and believed in him Ethical Teaching in the New Testament: 1. The Beatitudes 2. Jesus’ Commandment of Love

The Beatitudes § § § § Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 1 -11

Jesus’ Commandment of Love [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. ” On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ’ (Matthew 22: 37– 40)