Doing Right: Ethically, Morally, and Legally

Doing Right: Ethically, Morally, and Legally

Introduction

Actually to discuss this topic opens the door even for Christians to discuss what actually serves as the bedrock standard for doing right: ethically, morally, and legally. More often than naught it brings charges of legalism (an over-abused term) or its converse license. Christians are actually commanded and exhorted to do good (right). Our example for these references is found in the small epistle written by the apostle Peter. But even to use these epistle as the basis implies or presupposes my standard for doing right is God's self-revelation of himself in the Bible. It does touch or bear directly into issues such as the scriptures claims of authority and sufficiency. Consider a sampling as follows,

"For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." (1 Peter 2:15)(ESV)

"having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will than for doing evil." (1 Peter 3:16-17)(ESV)

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (1 Peter 4:19)(ESV)

For Christians to do what is good or right requires a standard. For the Christian, that unchanging standard is the Bible. Unfortunately many today are swept along with whatever standard is produced, endorsed, and punished by the prevailing culture. And yes, this ever-changing standard even for many Christians is simply their own experiences and feelings. To begin a series on this topic I would like to consider also some of following definitions for these terms. What is moral, ethical, or even legal? To be honest, even using advanced search engines for the Biblical text such as Logos, there just aren't pages of Biblical references to terms such as ethical, moral, and legal. So principles and inferences, (yes, proof texting even), might be a better option unless we simply want to resort to imposing the Moral Law (not sure that went to well in the early years for the Pilgrims and those first winters). 

Ethics as defined by The Dictionary of Theological Terms by Alan Cairns is "the science of morals." He goes on to elaborate in terms of human action: "motive" "standard" and "purpose." These three identifications he extracts from Cornelius Van Til. Barrett defines ethics in a similar manner, "the rules or standards that govern conduct." (Complete in Him: A Guide to understanding and Enjoying the Gospel by Michael P. V. Barrett, Appendix 4, p. 295). To add a third source, ethics is "the area of philosophical and theological inquiry into what constitutes right and wrong, that is, morality." (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, by. Grenz, Guertzki, and Nordling, p. 47). Simply put the study of ethics helps us to evaluate both thoughts and actions which can be viewed as morally right and wrong.

If ethics is to involve what is moral then where can we find a standard for morals? Whatever it means to be moral is important. Cairns writes, "the moral law embodies divine directives by which God commands ... both in private and in public life." (Chariots of God: God's Law in relation to the Cross and the Christian, Alan Cairns, p. 28). I would like to expand on this definition. The moral law or even God's will for us today is found in the entirety of the 66 books found in the scriptures. If this is so true and simple then why do Christians disagree on ethical, moral, and even legal issues? Perhaps in a society with rights and privileges we as Americans don't understand having no privileges or rights. Just to complicate the matter, add in concepts such as "world view" and the individual "conscience" of each person.  

Applications to Consider

As we begin this series simply consider some examples. Where would YOU personally place them? Are there ethical, moral or even legal issues found in these examples? I am deliberately picking these examples because they are current and potentially future realities Christians can or do face.

First, should Christians obey the speed limit? Simple right? Have far above it is okay? Late for work, pregnant wife, wasn't paying attention, conscience issues, etc...? Try explaining obedience to a child who sees the speed limit sign "55 MPH." Doesn't that solve the problem? Does everyone perfectly do this? Why or why not?

Second, should I show up late for work or early? Standing around staring at you iphone (texts, emails, facebook) on work time? How about extra breaks? Longer lunches? What place do the state and federal employment policies have a say? Pay rates, injuries, and other related issues abound, but at what point do these items become issues?

Third, should Christians turn in or hand over their firearms if the government bans all firearms (not just "assault weapons" but revolvers, center fire, rim fire, muzzle loaders, etc...). No more hunting, self-defense period, not even a butter knife. Even the most peacefully and meek-appearing individual get their hackles all bent out of shape over topics like this. Imagine it as a reality--look at foreign countries where this is real. 

We could go on and one. Kids shots, doctor visits, schooling, records, military service, registering for the selective service, social security numbers, and more.... I am beginning to wonder whether some of these issues are simply character flaws or are they conscience issues? I would suggest a great many of these simply are conscience issues. You and I may disagree simply because they are not (or maybe they are) ethical, moral, and legal issues.   

Feel free to comment. I'll be working on this series for a while.