Page 18 - Biblical Ethics Course

In considering the philosophy of ethics, Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 might apply:

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study
wearies the body.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is
the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is
good or evil.

Biblical ethics is making Jesus Christ Lord of your life and becoming obedient to all that He commanded us to do.
Biblical ethics is becoming like Christ, our perfect example of truth.

Situation Ethics promoted by Joseph Fletcher in his book,
“Situation Ethics: The New Morality”

Situational ethics is a 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.

Joseph Fletcher proposed that in forming an ethical system based on love,
he was best expressing the notion of "love thy neighbor," which Jesus
Christ taught in the Gospels of the New Testament of the Bible. Through
situational ethics, Fletcher was attempting to find a "middle road"
between legalistic and antinomian (void of law) ethics.

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
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