Page 23 - Biblical Ethics Course

Study Section 4: What is the Ultimate Basis for Biblical Ethics?

4.1 Connect

If ethics is based on the character of God (which we will see in this lesson), and God is holy and never
lies, then what God tells us in His word must be true and right. If God lied, then He would not be
holy, and He then would be no better than you or I. He would cease to be God. So, if God says
something is true, it IS TRUE. And if God says something is wrong, it IS WRONG. It would not matter
what the situation is, doing what God says is wrong is always the wrong thing to do! I learned that
my college professor was wrong, and my mother was right. God sets the standards and they are not
based on my situation. They have been created for all men for all time. Wow! What a wonderful truth I have
learned.

Today we are going to look further into these kinds of thoughts, because Biblical Ethics is based on these truths.
Let’s dive in….

4.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to list and explain the basis for Biblical Ethics.

2. The student should be able to explain how Biblical Ethics is rooted in the Bible.

3. The student should be able to explain the importance developing a Biblical ethic in one’s life.

4.3 What is the Ultimate Basis for Biblical Ethics? (this section taken from Dr. Grudem’s Christian Ethics notes,
Moody Bible Institute)

The ultimate bases for Biblical ethics is the moral character of God, the Creator of all. There are
three reasons behind this statement:

1. God’s Character is Good. When the Bible talks about God’s moral character, it talks about God
as being “good.” For example:

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. (Ps. 119:68)

The rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness,
and without iniquity, just and upright is he. (Deut. 32:4)

Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you. (Rev. 15:3-4)

In these and many passages, the Bible emphasizes that God’s moral character is good. He is a God who is good,
and also loving, just, merciful, faithful, truthful, and holy.

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