Page 17 - Biblical Ethics Course

Study Section 3: Situation Ethics

3.1 Connect

I was raised to believe the Bible is true. It is pretty much black and white. I was taught that if God
says it is wrong to lie, then no matter the situation, it is wrong to lie. Sometimes I would lie to get
out of trouble, but that was always wrong. No matter what, my mother taught me NEVER to tell a
lie.

Then when I got to college, I took a course on ethics – the study of right and wrong. Our professor
told us that in some situations, lying was a good thing to do. He even used the Bible telling us about Rahab who
hid the spies. She lied to the king of Jericho about hiding the spies and God blessed her and saved her family as
a result of her willingness to lie to protect the spies. Then he proceeded to give situation after situation where
lying seemed to be the kind and appropriate response. Repeatedly, he cited Bible examples of people who lied,
and as a result, were blessed by God. I thought, “I guess my mother doesn’t really know much. She never went
to college. I had better listen to my professor!”

By the time I finished that class, I was totally confused. Was my professor right or my mother right? I guess we
have better find out in this study…

3.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to state the position of Joseph Fletcher when it comes to ethics.

2. The student should be able to explain the difference between ethics and morality.

3. The student should be able to cite six key words used when discussing ethics.

3.3 Biblical Ethics

Much of the Bible is the story of God’s work in human history and our response. The correct
response to God’s work is biblical ethics.

The Bible is clear that language is meant to express truth (Proverbs 12:17). It also says that Scripture
tells us what is ethical (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that morality is universal (Matthew 5:17-18).

The Bible doesn't talk about relativity, but it does distinguish between ethics and the practical laws used in
different circumstances to fulfill those ethics. An ethic would be to love others (Mark 12:30). A law that
expresses that ethic would be to not steal (Exodus 20:15). In addition, we are to develop such a character that
ethical behavior comes naturally (John 16:13)—shades of virtue ethics. Consequentialism comes into play not so
much because we are to aim for a good outcome, but because the laws God gives us are informed by His good
intentions for us (Joshua 1:8).

The Bible does address proper behavior in different human fields. Much of Leviticus is dedicated to the practical
application of ethics. And the New Testament covers both normative schools (2 Timothy 3:16), ethical character
(1 Corinthians 13:12), and casuistry (all of Jesus' parables).
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