Loading ...The Pieces of Morality–Part 1
Coming from a non-Christian background, the issue of morality was confusing. There seemed to be varieties of different expressions of ethics within the church. Not that the major moral teachings were confusing, but it was the moral teachings that were not clearly stated in the Bible that caused questions. Not murdering or stealing was easy to understand, but the teachings on what to watch on T.V. and what to wear were inconsistent within the church. It seemed that different people had different types of ethics. Some of the moral rules had no scripture to provide authority while other rules seemed to be a matter of particular tastes. One family would tell me that wearing shorts were sinful while another family would wear ultra short shorts. Both families believed that there was Bible behind the actions. This caused me to begin to think about the backgrounds of morality. People in the church had different concepts of ethics. This caused me to wonder. Where does these ethics come from, why is there a diversity within the church on morality, and what is the Biblical mandate in dealing with one another concerning particular expressions of ethics? These questions are answered in the Bible through three pieces of morality.
Related posts:
- The Pieces of Morality—Part 4
- The Pieces of Morality–Part 2
- The Pieces of Morality–Part 3
- The Pieces of Morality–Part 5
- Are We Really Against Creeds?
About The Author
In this series, we will look at how a rejection, a reaction, and a reflection types of morality influence our ethics.
It seems one of the problems in defining a moral/ethical standard, is that so many Christians employ a form of legalism as the basis for there choices. For example, rather than grounding our moral/ethical choices in our calling to holiness (does X reflect the values of the flesh or a life being led by the Spirit; cf. Gal 5), to be witnesses of the gospel (will X hinder my ability to advance the gospel?), and being made a new creation (does X reflect the old self that was crucified with Christ or the new self made alive in Christ?), we seek a quick proof-text to justify the choices we make. The problem is that we can just about excuse any choice we make. I think this is evident when it comes to issues of “just war.” Though I do not believe “just war” is an ethical way of life for Christians, I will concede that it is a possible ethic. However, today it seems that many Christians already have their mind made up and then just find the proof-text to justify it. The same goes for many issues regarding the marriage/family; money; and even now sexual morality.
We need to keep in mind that for Paul, baptism in Romans was the point of departure for not continuing immoral/unethical ways of life (sin). Then we need to read and meditate both upon the Sermon on the Mount (especially the Beattitudes) and the Fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5, for both issue a steep challenge to the moral/ethical ways of living that is very comprehensive covering all “spheres” of life.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Great thoughts Rex. I really liked the thoughts about reflection. I am going to deal with this some.
I find it interesting that not much thought goes into what we watch at home sometimes but when we watch something as a group, we suddenly become Quakers. Christians watch reality shows and dramas during prime time that are covered with filth, but expose Kevin Kostner’s backside in “Dances with Wolves” and there’s cause for a split.
I think for some this keeps up the appearance that they are pious; the facade that they are sensitive to the sin that creeps into our homes through the one-eyed monster. However, don’t make me miss my favorite show, be it “Desperate Housewives,” “Two and A Half Men,” or any of the other voyeuristic shows that are based on sex appeal and bear no resemblance to God’s vision of the family.
One example I am thinking of is the language we use. Over the last few years I hear more and more Christians my age (35) and younger who have no objections to dropping an occasion F-bomb or some other similar vulgar word. Now I know there are a few verses that I could proof-text which do seem claim speech such as the above mentioned as sinful. However, I do not need any vers to tell me exactly what lanuage is “lawful” and what is not. I know that as a person made alive in Christ, I have died to an old self and an old world (realm) and now live as a new creation in the new world where Jesus sits on the throne. So why would I want to speak as though I am still that old person who belongs to that old world?
From a missional standpoint… Before I became a Christian I worked in a factory where I and everyone else had a very course tongue. I understand that as a Christian I am called to be “in” the world but not “of” the world. If I do not learn to think, speak, and act like I have been born of God, how can I bear witness to the gospel? I cannot. Instead, I become another saltless person.
As for learning to think, speak, and act like a Christian…IMHO, many North American Christians need to reconsider whether their political conversations sound like they have been born of God or whether they are still immersed in the ethos of secular politics.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Within the church community: preachers, ministers, leadership = some take scripture to justify coarse language, drinking, gambling and other things of the world. Whether progressive, ultra-conservative or whatever we have a moral dilemma…..I can do it if I want to and you can’t tell me I can’t. The blogging world has brought this out loud and clear.
Within the church community: Members = I don’t see Christians that use coarse language, watch questionable shows, movies, sitcoms etc, trying to justify their actions at all whether with scripture or anything else. They just live that way. Scripture, new life in Christ, values, mean nothing to them. Not all of course but way to many are church goers and world livers.
“…way to many are church goers and world livers.”
Sonny, that is a very good commentary on the current state of North American Christianity. I will remember that line for a sermon on the Beattitudes that I am preaching in two weeks.
Grace and peace,
Rex