Page 33 - Apologetics Student Textbook (3 Credits)

Word. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer, and part of His role is teaching us how to live: “But the
Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will
remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). “As for you, the anointing you received from
him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all
things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John
2:27). So, when we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us the
principles we need to stand on for any given situation.

While God’s Word does not cover every situation we will face in our lives, it is all-sufficient for living a
Christian life. For most things, we can simply see what the Bible says and follow the proper course based
on that. In ethical questions where Scripture does not give explicit instructions, we need to look for
principles that can be applied to the situation. We must pray over His Word and open ourselves to His
Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us through the Bible to find the principles on which we need to
stand so we may live as a Christian should.

Doesn’t the situation Determine what is right or wrong?

Situational ethics is a particular view of moral ethics that holds that the morality of an act is determined
by its context. Situational ethics states that if there is a right and wrong, it is merely determined by the
desired outcome of the situation. Situational ethics is different from moral relativism in that moral
relativism states that there is no right or wrong. Situational ethics envelopes a code of ethics in which
meeting the needs of each situation determines what is right or wrong.

From cover to cover, the Bible is true, consistent, and applicable. Does the Bible teach, admonish, or
even lean toward advocating situational ethics? The short answer is "no." Let us consider three
principles: 1) God is creator and sustainer. 2) All of God’s Word is true. Even the parts we don’t like or
understand. 3) Right and wrong are determined and defined by who God is.

1. God is creator and sustainer. Situational ethics states that morality is determined by surroundings or
circumstance. God’s Word says morality is determined by God’s sovereignty, as He is creator and
sustainer. And that is not a matter of semantics but of fact. Even if God were to give a command to one
group of people and forbid it to another group, the determination of whether it is right or wrong, ethical
or not, is not based on the situation, but rather on God’s command. God has the authority to govern
right and wrong. Romans 3:4 says, “Let God be true and every man a liar.”

2. All of God’s Word is true. To suggest that the Bible advocates situational ethics would be to imply that
there are errors contained therein. That is not possible. It is not possible because of number 1; God is
creator and sustainer.

3. Right and wrong are defined by who God is. Love is God’s nature. He defines what love is not by what
He does, but simply by who He is. The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:16). Love is selfless and
considerate of others, never seeking its own glory or pleasure (1 Corinthians 13). Therefore, by virtue of
who God is, the Bible, being given by God and being all true, cannot contain a system of ethics that
would in itself defy the nature of God. Situational ethics finds right and wrong to please the majority or a
single person out of selfishness. Love is the opposite. Love seeks to encourage and build up others.

Two foundational problems with situational ethics are the reality of an absolute truth and the concept of
real love. The Bible does teach absolute truth, which demands that right and wrong are predetermined

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