Christian Ethics

Christian Ethics

The ten commandments list duties which should apply regardless of consequences. There is no doubt of the meaning of right and wrong. "Right" is the will of God and "wrong" is anything against this. 

The Bible is the divine law in Aquinas' theory (four types of law - eternal/divine/natural/human) but the revelation is only partial: natural law completes it.

The Bible is the source of divine commands as "God spoke to Moses" Leviticus 1:1, Exodus 20:1 and speaks through Jesus "the word became flesh" (John 1:12)

Parables are essential.

Ten Commands

The first four commandments are to do with God (no other gods, idols, vain, sabbath) The other 6 are to do with how we treat other people. (steal,kill,adultery)

The Decalogue is an example of the Divine Command Theory because God commands it. (i.e. the Ten commands are always right. These are absolute because there is no doubt no matter the consequence. "Thou shalt not steal" They are deontological.

Jesus' ethics adds a variation to the Ten Commands

Agape Love: rejects the idea of absoltues. Jesus on the sabbath healed a man.

Incarnation: God coming into human beings.

The command to love:

1) The Greatest Commandment: Mark 12:28-31

"the Lord our God, the Lord is one"

"Love your God with all your heart/soul/mind/strength" This teaching shows that Jesus sums up the 10 commandments in 2 commands "love your God"…