Christian Ethics TOP 50 FLASHCARDS BASED ON PAST PAPERS

Christian Ethics

Moral principles based on Bible and Christian faith; guides right and wrong behavior

Ethics

Systematic study of what is morally right and wrong in human conduct

Morality

Actual beliefs, practices, and standards of right and wrong that people hold

Absolute Truth/Morality

Universal, unchanging moral standards that apply to all people in all situations

Relative Truth/Morality

Moral standards that change based on culture, situation, or personal preference

Philosophical Ethics

Study of ethics using human reason without relying on divine revelation

African Ethics

Moral values from African culture: community, hospitality, respect for elders, communal responsibility

Sources of African Ethics

Oral traditions, proverbs, songs, stories, rituals, elders' wisdom

How African Ethics Were Preserved

Oral tradition, songs, proverbs, storytelling, rituals, elders' teachings, initiation ceremonies

Uniqueness of Bible in Ethics

Divine inspiration, absolute standards, clear moral guidance, unchanging truth, authority over all areas of life

Why Bible is Authoritative in Ethics

God breathed; consistent standards; Jesus' teachings; historical reliability; transformative power

Relative Morality Characteristics

Changes with culture; depends on situation; no absolute right/wrong; varies by individual; based on feelings/circumstances

Why Relative Truth is Dangerous

Leads to moral chaos; no standard for justice; justifies evil; undermines accountability; contradicts God's unchanging nature

Pro

Choice Arguments (Abortion) - Woman's right over body; unwanted child suffering; financial inability; rape/incest exceptions; health risks to mother

Biblical View on Abortion

Life begins at conception; fetus is human life; "do not murder"; protects the vulnerable; all life has value

Pro

Life Arguments - Fetus is human life; God is creator; protects vulnerable; all life has value; adoption is alternative

LGBTQ+ Perspective

Sexual orientation is natural; people deserve rights; God loves all; discrimination is wrong; love is love

Biblical Position on LGBTQ+

Created male and female; sex only in marriage; condemned in OT and NT; unnatural acts; violates creation order

Euthanasia

Deliberately ending a life to relieve suffering; also called "mercy killing"

Pro

Euthanasia Arguments - Right to die with dignity; unbearable suffering; personal autonomy; expensive to keep alive; compassion

AntiEuthanasia/Biblical View

Life is sacred; "do not murder"; suffering has purpose; only God gives and takes life; hope in God even in suffering

Suicide Support Arguments

Unbearable suffering; mental illness; hopelessness; loss of dignity; personal choice

Biblical View on Suicide

Life is gift from God; we are stewards not owners; suffering has purpose; hope exists in God; suicidal thoughts need help not encouragement

Surrogacy

A woman carries a pregnancy for another couple who cannot have children

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Fertilization of egg outside the body; embryos created in lab then implanted in womb

Ethical Concerns of Surrogacy/IVF

Embryo status (human life?); multiple embryos destroyed; exploitation of surrogate; commodification of children; psychological effects; cost and access; consent issues; parent identity; genetic connection issues; religious concerns

Strikes Biblical Guidelines

Respect authority; peaceful dialogue first; don't harm others; consider if cause is just; honor God in actions; seek mediation

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms belonging to all human beings

Source of True Human Rights

God as creator gives inherent dignity; from God not UN or government; inalienable; universal; based on image of God

Ten Commandments and Corruption

"Do not steal" stops taking what isn't yours; "Do not bear false witness" stops lying/corruption; "Do not covet" stops greed driving corruption

Commandment 6 (You shall not murder)

Respects human life; prohibits abortion, euthanasia, violence, unjust killing

Deontological Ethics

Focuses on duty and rules; actions are right/wrong based on whether they follow moral rules, not consequences

Teleological/Consequential Ethics

Focuses on outcomes; actions are right if they produce good results; "ends justify the means"

Just War Theory

Principles for when war is justified: just cause, right authority, last resort, probability of success, proportionality

Kenyan Troops in Somalia/Haiti/DRC

Just war: invited by African Union/UN; humanitarian reasons; protect civilians; stability; combat terrorism

Jesus' Ethics of Imitation

Follow Christ's example; love enemies; serve others; humility; forgiveness; compassion

Holy Spirit as Agent of Moral Life

Guides believers into truth; convicts of sin; empowers obedience; produces fruit of Spirit; helps discern right/wrong

Epicureanism

Greek philosophy: "What brings pleasure is morally right; what brings pain is morally wrong"

Weaknesses of Epicureanism

Ignores spiritual dimension; pleasure can justify evil; doesn't account for long-term consequences; contradicts biblical values; selfish

Conscience as Moral Guide

Internal sense of right/wrong; but not sufficient alone because can be seared or misguided

Why Conscience Not Sufficient

Can be wrongly trained; can be ignored; inconsistent across cultures; led by feelings not truth; must be guided by God's Word

Situation Ethics

Decisions based on love in each situation; right action depends on circumstances

Sources of Relative Morality

Culture, personal feelings, circumstances, social norms, convenience

Importance of Christian Ethics

Character formation; guides decisions; professional integrity; distinguishes right from wrong; holistic education

Kabarak Common Units Purpose

Holistic education; character formation; moral development; spiritual growth; professional ethics; university identity

African Songs Role in Ethics

Taught values; preserved wisdom; guided behavior; celebrated virtues; condemned vices; passed moral messages

African Values for Positive Habits

Honesty/truthfulness; responsibility; community; hospitality; respect; hard work

Divorce Christian Perspective

Opposed; God hates divorce; marriage is covenant; reconciliation encouraged; marriage is life-long

AntiDivorce Views

Arguments against divorce: marriage is a lifelong covenant before God; not a broken contract; breaks God's design; harms families; contradicts "one flesh" union; reconciliation must be sought first

Marriage Biblical Position

Between one man and one woman; life-long covenant; designed by God; not relative; sacred institution