Page 21 - Biblical Ethics Course

some time lied. If the canons of statistical morality apply, the only verdict we can render is that cheating is an
authentically human good and that lying is a bona fide virtue.

Obviously, there must be a relationship between our ethical theories and our moral behavior. In a real sense,
our beliefs dictate our behavior. A theory underlies our every moral action. We may not be able to articulate
that theory or even be immediately conscious of it, but nothing manifests our value systems more sharply than
our actions.

The Christian ethic is based on an antithesis between what is and what ought to be. We view the world as fallen;
an analysis of fallen human behavior describes what is normal to the abnormal situation of human corruption.
God calls us out of the indicative by His imperative. Ours is a call to nonconformity—to a transforming ethic that
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shatters the status quo.

Key Words for Biblical Ethics
1. Good
1. Tôḇ (Heb) -A state or function appropriate to genre, purpose, or situation; beautiful.
2. Agathos (Gk) -Useful, morally good in relation to God, who is perfect (Matt 19:17)
3. Kalos- (Gk)Beautiful, fine, free from defect.

2. Righteous/Just
1. Saddiq (Heb)-Righteous,just and lawful
2. Saddiqa (Gk)-Righteousness, righteous act.
3. Dikaios (Gk)-Upright, just and righteous.

3. Righteousness/Justification
1. Saddiq (Heb)-Do justice, declare righteous
2. Dikaiosuna (Gk)-Justice, uprightness

4. Holy
1. Qadosh(Heb)- Sacred, to be set apart, to belong to the sanctuary, dedicated for use by God.
2. Hagios (Gk)-Sacred, set apart for worship. Duty to worship and righteous living.

5. Sanctification
1. Qadosh (Heb)-Be holy, consecrate.
2. Hagiasmos (Gk)-Holiness, consecration.

6. Evil
1. Awen (Heb)- Evil, iniquity, mischief,calamity.
2. Raah (Heb)-To be bad, displeasing, to be evil, to harm or bring calamity.
3. Kakos/Poneros (Gk)-Evil, Bad, wicked. Kakos and poneros are synonyms

7 R. C. Sproul, How Should I Live in This World?, vol. 5, The Crucial Questions Series (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation
Trust Publishing, 2009), 1–5.

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