Page 5 - Biblical Ethics Course

6) Christian ethics, per se, pertains to what is morally and ethically right for believers in Christ; what is
biblically and theologically defensible.

7) Principles, both theoretical and practical, for righteous living in the sight of God (Martin Manser, 2009)

8) The science that seeks to determine the proper basis of moral behavior. It concerns itself more with
man’s actions of will and purpose than with his intellect and understanding. “All ethics then deals with
these three questions: (a) What is the motive for human action? (b) What is the standard of human
action? (c) What is the end or purpose of human action?” (Cornelius Van Til).

9) Christian Ethics is systematic explanation of the moral examples and teaching of Jesus applied to the
total life of the individual in society and actualized by the power of the Spirit. (Henlee H. Barnette,
Introduction to Christian Ethics, p.3)

10) Biblical Christian Ethics is the study of the way of life that conforms to the will and Character of God as
revealed in Christ and the Holy Scriptures and illuminated by the Holy Spirit (David, Biblical Christian
Ethics, p. 16).

Biblical ethics is well summarized by Colossians 3:1-6:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now
hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil
desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

The Bible does give us detailed instructions on how we should live. The Bible is all we need to know about
how to live the Christian life that is pleasing to God.

An Introduction to Christian Ethics

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