Foundations of Christian Ethics – Key Vocabulary

A vocabulary set highlighting the principal terms, schools, codes, and theological concepts crucial to understanding the Foundations of Christian Ethics as presented in the lecture notes.

Christian Ethics

The discipline that studies moral principles and behavior in light of Christian faith and theology.

Philosophical Ethics

Ethical reflection based on human reason, exemplified by Greek and later philosophical systems.

Biblical Ethics

Moral teachings derived from the Hebrew-Christian Scriptures, encompassing Old and New Testaments.

Theological Ethics

Ethical reflection grounded in doctrinal claims about God, humanity, and creation.

Teleological

Goal-directed; describing ethics that focus on an ultimate purpose or end (telos).

Eudaimonia

Greek term for happiness or well-being, regarded as the highest human good.

Platonism

Philosophy that sees wisdom as the supreme virtue enabling harmony among reason, emotion, and appetite.

Aristotelianism

Ethic that defines happiness as activity of the soul in accord with reason, achieved through moderation.

Hedonism

Ethical view (e.g., Epicurus) that pleasure—defined as absence of pain—is the highest good.

Epicureanism

Form of hedonism emphasizing rational pursuit of lasting pleasure and avoidance of pain.

Stoicism

Philosophy (Zeno, Epictetus) that prizes virtue, especially courage, and living consistently with universal nature.

Apatheia

Stoic ideal of spiritual peace and freedom from disordered passions.

Utilitarianism

Ethic (Bentham, Mill) that judges actions by the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Kantianism

Ethic of duty where the only unconditional good is a good will that obeys the categorical imperative.

Categorical Imperative

Kant’s unconditional moral law: act only on maxims you can will as universal laws.

Hypothetical Imperative

Command that applies only if one wills a particular end (e.g., ‘If you want health, exercise’).

Existentialism

View that existence precedes essence; humans create meaning through free, responsible choices.

Social Adjustment Ethics

John Dewey’s pragmatic ethic that measures good by one’s ability to adapt to evolving social norms.

‘What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?’

Tertullian’s rhetorical question rejecting reliance on pagan philosophy in Christian thought.

Covenant

Biblical concept of a binding relationship between God and people involving promises and obligations.

Ethical Monotheism

Moses’ teaching that one righteous God demands moral obedience.

Radical Monotheism

Prophetic insistence that the one God requires justice and righteousness from all people.

Prophetic Principle

Christian critical stance that no institution is above God’s moral judgment.

Covenant Code

Early Hebrew legislation (Exod 20:22–23:33) blending worship requirements with social ethics.

Deuteronomic Code

7th-century BC revision of laws (Deut 12–26) stressing humanitarian and ritual concerns.

Holiness Code

Levitical laws (Lev 17–26) calling Israel to reflect God’s holiness in ethical and ritual purity.

Decalogue

The Ten Commandments, covenant stipulations grounding Israel’s moral life.

Judaism (Post-Exilic)

Religion of strict legal observance developed after Babylonian exile under Ezra and Nehemiah.

Legalism

Emphasis on meticulous law-keeping as the path to righteousness.

Kingdom of God

Jesus’ central theme: God’s sovereign, saving rule present now and coming in fullness.

Repentance

Turning from sin toward God; re-direction of life and relationships.

Teleios

Greek for ‘perfect’; in Jesus’ ethic, fulfilling one’s God-given purpose in wholehearted devotion.

Inward Morality

Jesus’ stress on motives (e.g., anger or lust) as morally significant, not merely outward acts.

Holy Worldliness

Christian involvement in temporal affairs while oriented to eternal values.

Freedom in Christ

Pauline theme of liberation from law, sin, and fear through union with Christ.

Kerygma

Proclamation of the gospel message of salvation.

Diakonia

Service or ministry to those in need within Christian ethics.

Koinonia

Fellowship and communal sharing among believers.

Didache

Teaching or instruction, especially doctrinal nurturing in the church.

New Creation

Paul’s term for the transformed life of believers ‘in Christ’ (2 Cor 5:17).

Trinity

Christian doctrine of one God in three persons—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—each active in creation, redemption, and sanctification.

Creator (Father)

Divine person and function as source of life, providence, and sustained creativity.

Redeemer (Son)

Divine person and function revealed in Jesus Christ’s reconciling life, death, and resurrection.

Judge & Counselor (Holy Spirit)

Divine person and function imparting conviction, guidance, comfort, and empowerment.

Residuum of Original Righteousness

The lingering capacity for goodness in fallen humanity enabling response to God.

Apatheia / Euthymia

Stoic ideal of equanimity or serenity resulting from virtuous living.

Summum Bonum

Latin for ‘highest good’; ultimate end sought in ethical systems.

Eros (in Plato)

Intellectual love that motivates the soul’s quest for the highest good.

Greatest Happiness Principle

Utilitarian maxim that moral rightness is determined by maximal collective pleasure.

‘Faith Working in Love’

Paul’s phrase summarizing Christian ethical responsibility toward neighbors (Gal 5:6).

Moral Dilemma (Romans 7)

Paul’s depiction of the conflict between knowing good and lacking power to perform it apart from Christ.