The Bible and Ethics

• I. Introduction–A. Lecture Focus – 2 Timothy 2:15• 1. Christian ethics and its reliance on

Scripture–a. Only Scripture is independent of

human error»i. Our interpretation can be

erroneous»ii. Holy Spirit’s guidance is

necessary»iii. Vital foundation

• II. Authority and Relevance–A. Is the Bible a reliable test?• 1. Authenticity – words present in texts

are what were originally written• 2. Reliability – is what they wrote

accurate?• 3. Geisler

–B. What does the Bible teach about Jesus?• 1. Jesus claimed His own divine nature–a. I AM (Exodus 3:14 & John 8:57-58)»i. Direct claim of OT name of God»ii. Reaction of his hearers»iii. Claim to independent, free, self

existence–b. Equality with God (Mark 2:10-11)

• 2. His disciples asserted his deity–a. John 20:28–b. Colossians – 1:16-17, 2:9

• 3. His enemies recognized that He claimed to be divine–a. John 8:58, John 18:5-6

• 4. Claims to deity–a. Fulfillment of prophecy»i. Seed of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3,

22:18 = Matt 1:1, Gal 3:16)»ii. Tribe of Judah (Gen 49:10 =

Luke 3:23, 33)»iii. House of David (II Sam 7:12 =

Mt 1:1)»iv. Born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2 =

Matt 2:1)»v. Rise from the dead (Ps 2:7, 16:10

= Mark 16:6, Acts 2:31)

»b. Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6-7)

»i. Only God can raise from the dead

–C. How does Jesus use Scripture as a source of authority?

• 1. He tells us it is inspired:

–a. OT prophecies (Luke 24:25)

–b. Unbelief (John 5:46-47)

–c. Story of Creation (Matt 19:4-6)

–d. Christ response to Satan (Matt 4:4, 7, 10)

–e. Christ response to men (Matt 22:29-32, 43-46)

–f. John 18:37

• 2. Jesus took it as authoritative:

–a. Matt 5:17-18 OT

–b. Matt 4:4, 7, 10 OT

–c. John 16:12-15 NT

–d. John 17:18, 20:21 NT

• 3. Jesus used it as the guidebook for ethics

–a. John 14:21

–b. Matt 19:1-10

–c. Matt 5-7

–D. Therefore, Scripture is absolutely necessary as the truth standard for the disciples of Christ.

•III. How does Scripture function?

–A. Scripture functions as “Revealed Reality”

• 1. Worldview and meta-ethic components

–B. Scripture functions as “Revealed Morality”

• 1. Ethics

–a. Rules, law, norms to guide specific actions

–b. Principles by which we can reason faithful conclusions

–c. Development of virtues to emulate Christ’s behavior

–d. Warned of consequences to avoid

• 2. Foundations

–a. OT

»i. I AM

»ii. Shema

»iii. Bi-Focal Nature

–b. NT

»i. I AM (John 8:57-58)

»ii. Two Greatest Commands (Mark 12:29-31)

»iii. Bi-Focal Nature (John 14:15 & John 14:21 – Faith and works together; Phil 3)

• 3. Example passages

–a. OT

»i. Decalogue (Exodus 20:1-17)

»ii. Levitical Laws

–b. NT

»i. Sermon on the MT (Matthew 5-7)

»ii. I Corinthians 7

•IV. What use is scripture in Ethics? 3 Uses of the Law

–A. Condemning

• 1. Romans 3:20; 4:15; 5:12; 7:7-11

–B. Restraining

• 1. Deut. 13:6-11, 19:16-21; Romans 13:3-4

–C. Guiding the Regenerate

• 1. “Free from the law” but guided by law

–a. “Christian Freedom from the Law” means “freedom from the law as a system of salvation

»i. Rom 6:14

»ii. Gal 2:15-19

–b. Scripture falls under Christ’s law

»i. 1 Corin 9:21

»ii. Gal 6:2

–c. It is in this way that the law is profitable for Christian living

»i. 2 Tim 3:16

•V. Basic Hermeneutics for Ethical application of scripture

–A. Context of passage is vital

• 1. Direct context of passage

• 2. Context of the immediate chapter

• 3. Context of book

• 4. Context of the Bible

–B. Clearer passages must be used to shed light on less clear passages

• 1. Reversing this step is the way to heresy

–C. Scripture drives theology and then helps shine light on unclear texts

•VI. Foundational perspective on scripture and ethics

–A. OT

• 1. I AM

• 2. Shema (Deut 6:4-5)

–a. Central to entire OT is the Shema

• 3. Nature of the Decalogue

–a. Bi-focal

–b. The link with the conscience as the center of the self

»i. must have upward conscience appeased

»ii. allowing for proper ethical expression

–c. 10 commandments express more than simple rules, but he heart of ethics

–B. NT: The ethics of Jesus

• 1. Foundation:

–a. Divine claims (John 8:57-58; John 10:30)

–b. Purpose of worship (Mark 12:29-31)

• 2. The importance of ethics to Jesus

–a. an ethical life is the mark of a true disciple – John 14:21

–b. The ethical life serves as a chief mode of witness and evangelism

–c. Spent considerable energy righting the ship that the Pharisees had capsized.

• 3. Jesus’ teleological focus is kingdom centered

–a. Matt 6:33 – Evangelism is always central to his ethic

–C. NT: Ethics of Paul

• 1. Paul offers a systematic outworking of the biblical theocentric ethical foundations Jesus provided.

–a. given task of navigating the ship of the church along its proper course

• 2. Paul’s ethics rest on the centrality of Christian love in ethical behavior

–a. Gal 5:6

–b. I Corin 13:1-3

• 3. Paul’s ethic realizes and emphasizes reality that hard work is involved in living ethically

–a. Phil 2:12-13, Rom 5:3-8

• 4. Paul’s ethic emphasizes a program of total personal moral development and character building.

–a. Renewed mind – romans 12:1-2

–b. Sanctified character - 1 Thess 4:7; Romans 13:12

–c. Holy Motivations

–d. Character Virtues

• 5. paul’s ethics places emphasis on a reliance on the holy spirit

–a. phil 1:6

–b. Eph 5:18

• 6. Paul always taught on ethics with an eye for the application of the gospel

–a. in service

»i. end of Phil 4, 2 Tim 4

–b. In Evangelism and Discipleship – 2 Tim 2:2

• 7. Paul saw the entire enterprise of ethics in light of the higher purpose of worship

–a. see phil 2:11, 1 Corin 10:31, Col 3:17

•VII. Conclusion

–A. Seamless Garment of Scripture

• 1. Jesus’ high view of OT

–a. Matthew 4:7-10; 5:17-18; 19:4-6; Luke 24:25; John 5:46-47

• 2. No distinction between jesus’ teachings

–a. many attempts are made in modern ethics to split the ethical teachings of jesus and paul

–B. Scripture is the Ultimate source of authority

• 1. because it is the revelation of God Himself – John 1:1-12

• 2. It reveals the heart of God for creation

–C. Based on these realities Scripture is the source of Christian Ethics Because:

• 1. Christian Scripture is inspired and powerful

• 2. Christian Scripture is insightful and discerning

• 3. Christian Scripture is a positive guide in life and practice

• 4. Scripture alone is without error