Introduction/ Ch:1 Ethics CLASS Notes
Introductions to Ethics
What does the tree represent?
The discipline of philosophy.
What are the four branches?
Ethics
metaphysics
Epistemology
Aesthetics
What branch does this book focus on?
Ethics
What ought the tree to be rooted in?
The word of God
What might the sun, which is essential for growth, represent? What might the stained glass outline allude to?
God: point to God’s glory in worship
What are three key elements in the works of ethics? To what must these elements be applied?
Acts (principle)
Agents (people)
Ends (ultimate goal)
To be applied to situations
Defining Ethics
Ethics — the branch of philosophy that study how men ought to live.
Ethics concerns itself determining what is right and what is wrong.
Christian Ethics — seeks to determine how man ought to live in particular circumstances through studying God’s word, discerning God’s creational norm.
Creational norms — the design of God’s created order (the way things ought to be) translated into divine laws that govern the way human individuals and cultures ought to operate.
Key Elements in a Christian Ethical System
Acts (acts that conform to God’s Word)
Agents (individuals who exemplify virtues and have certain motives
Ends
Three Key Relationships
Worldview
Philosophy
World Religions
Relating Ethics to a Biblical Worldview
What do ethical systems reflect?
A worldview; ethical systems come out from and reflect worldview commitments.
3 Key Ingredients of a Worldview
Metanarrative - an overarching account or interpretation of events and circumstances that provides a pattern or structure for people’s beliefs and gives meaning to their experiences,
Beliefs and values
Personal group behavior
5 Recurring Biblical Worldview Themes
Authority — There is only one God who made all things
Creational Order — God not only created the physical universe, but moral norms.
Man’s chief end — God created mankind to glorify and enjoy Him forever
Virtue — God’s goal for us is to do the right thing and become the right kind
Wisdom — the ability to discern creational norms, communicate them to others, and live by them.
Relating Ethics to Philosophy
4 main branches of philosophy
metaphysics — relates to reality
Epistemology — relates to the truth, studies the nature of knowledge
Ethics — morality
Aesthetics — beauty, the systematic study of what is morally right and wrong, good or bad, in behavior and decision making
Reality — God is the eternal source, universe is ordered and purposeful
knowledge — Truth is objective and grounded in God’s nature; Reasons senses and revelation work together.
Relating Ethics to Philosophy pt.2
What does philosophy use to answer questions about the meaning of life and how to live in the world?
Human reason
One of the problems with secular philosophy is the inability to explain what 3 things apart from God’s revelation?
truth
reality
morality
How does ethics relate to philosophy?
each philosophical tradition has its own version of an ethical system
How do world religions affect the ethics that develop downstream from religious beliefs and traditions?
The teachings and practices of religions influence ethical behavior in ethical society
What role does Scripture play in forming the ethics of Biblical Christians?
Scripture informs religious practices
Personal Benefits to studying Ethics
Expanding your knowledge
Growing Spiritually
Improving Your Testimony
Your Personal Growth
What must Christians Pursue?
Spiritual Growth
Growth in Spiritual Works
And knowledge adding virtues to their faith
How Does personal Spirit Grow?
Personal spiritual growth relates to ethical decision making in everyday life. It also is involved in responding rightly to ethical issues in the future.
Christians Testimony
Why is it important to develop an ethical character and behavior as a testimony to a watching world
Poor ethical character and behavior in the lives of professing Christians undermines a Christian Witness
Stellar ethical character and behavior, through leading to persecution at times, will allow opportunities for greater witness to others.
CHPATER 1
Right Approach to Studying Ethics
5 keys to studying Bible ethics
Prayer
Humility
Reason
Effort
Praise
Prayer - Seeking God’s Guidance
We cannot know right from wrong apart from God’s wisdom
James 1:5
Philippians 4:6
Through prayer, we admit that we depend on God, not ourselves
Application: Begin every study of ethics with prayer, asking Spirit of God to open our understanding.
Humility - Submitting to God’s authority
Pride blinds us to truth; humility makes us teachable
Proverbs 11:2
Micah 6:8
We must let God’s Word correct us, even when it is uncomfortable
Application: Come to Scripture not to prove yourself right, but to let God show you where you must change.
Reason - using God - given minds
God call us to love Him with our whole being, including our minds
Mathew 22:27
Isaiah 1:18
Bible ethics requires careful thought: comparing scripture with scripture, understanding context, and applying principles
Application: Think deeply – don't just accept easy answers. Let God shape your reasoning by His Word.
Effort - Diligent Study and Obedience
True study requires work and perseverance
2 Timothy 2:15
James 1:22
Ethics is not just knowing, but doing. Obedience takes effort and discipline
Application: Work hard in study and in applying what you learn, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
Praise - glorifying God through study and living
The ultimate goal of the Bible ethics is not just moral behavior- it is glorifying God
1 Corinthians 10 :31
Psalm 119:7
When we learn the truth, our response should be worship and thanksgiving.
Application: Every study session should end in praise, thanking God for His truth and asking Him for strength to live it out.
Ch:1 Ethics
What is the foundation of ethics?
Do you agree with Love is Love?
NO!!!!
Love isn't abstract or unknowable
Love has a source, just like every other virtue
Attribute of God
Who gets to define what holiness, love, goodness, righteousness, and trustworthiness are and mean?
- God, because He is the creator and Perfect Practitioner-
- What does attributes of God mean?
- The distinct characteristics that define the nature of God
Holiness of God
Definition: Holiness means God is completely set apart, pure, and perfect. He is separate from all sin and entirely devoted to His own glory.
Key Verses:
Isaiah 6:3
Leviticus 11:44
Application: God’s holiness demands that His people also live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Holiness reveals His absolute purity and majesty.
Love of God
Definition: God’s Love is His eternal, self giving nature. His love is not based on what we do, but flows from who He is.
Key Verses:
1 John 4:8
Romans 5:8
Application: God’s love is sacrificial, unconditional, and personal. It compels us to love Him and others (John 13:34).
Goodness of God
Definition: God’s goodness means that everything He does it right, kind, and beneficial. His very nature is benevolent.
Key verses
Psalms 34:8
Nahum 1:7
Application: God’s goodness assures us of His kindness even in trials. It invited us to trust Him fully and rest in His care.
Righteousness of God
Definition: Means that God always acts in perfect justice, uprightness, and in accordance with His holy Law. He cannot sin or do wrong.
Key verses
Psalms 145:17
Deuteronomy 32:4
Application: God’s righteousness guarantees that He will always do what is fair and just.
Trustworthiness of God
Definition: Trustworthiness means God is faithful, and reliable. He always keeps His promises and can never fail His people.
Key verses:
Numbers 23:19
Lamentations 3:22-23
Application: Because God is trustworthy, we can rest our faith on His Word and promises, knowing He will never change or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).
8/21/25
Creational Norms
Definition: Creational norms are the God-given patterns, laws, and purposes woven into creation from the very beginning.
Examples of Creational Norms in Genesis 1-2 🇦
Order and goodness — God creates in an orderly purposeful way (Genesis 1:1-31)
Work and Rest — Humanity is called to cultivate and keep the earth (Genesis. 2:15; Exodus. 20:8-11)
Marriage and Family — God creates male and female, blessing them with fruitful multiplication.
Stewardship of Creation — Man rules over the creatures as God’s steward(Gen. 1:28).
Moral Boundaries — The tree of the knowledge of good and evil teaches that God alone defines good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17)
Why do creational norms matter?
They reveal God’s design for human flourishing.
They provide stability: ethics is not based on cultural trends, but on God’s unchanging order.
They shows us that morality is not arbitrary—it is creational.
Romans 1:20-21 teaches that God’s truth is revealed in creation, yet suppressed by sinners.
How do we discover creational norms?
Through Creation: Observing the way the world is structured (Psalm 19:1-4)
Through Scripture: God’s Word interprets creation rightly and guards against distortion (Psalm 119:105).
Through Conscience: Humanity bears God’s law written on the heart (Romans 2:14-15).
The fear of the Lord in Ethics
Proverbs 1:7 Without the fear of the Lord, human reasoning about ethics becomes distorted.
Difference the fear of the Lord Makes
Illumination— We see God’s design clearly rather than suppressing it.
Direction — our hearts desire to align with God’s order
Correction — When sin distorts creation’s norms, God’s Word restores right vision
Transformation — Ethics becomes worship; obedience flows from reverence (Eccl. 12:13)
The Problem of Ethics without the Spirit
Human wisdom is limited
Proverbs 14:12
The weakness of the flesh
Romans 7:18
Even when people know what is good, they lack the power to do it consistently.
Spirit as the source of Christian Ethics
The Spirit gives new life
John 3:6
True ethics begins with a transformed heart
The Spirit writes God’s law within
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Ethics is not just rules outside of us, but God’s Spirit working inside us.
The Spirit produces fruit
Galatians 5:22-23
Christian ethics is not just about avoiding wrong, but cultivating Christlike character.
Spirits role in Guiding decisions
Illumination of God’s Word
John 16:13
Ethics is not guesswork; the Spirit helps us rightly apply scripture
Conviction of sin and righteousness
John 16:8
He tenderizes our conscience to align with God’s standards.
Empowerment to obey
Romans 8:13-14
Without the Spirit, ethics is law without power; with the Spirit, it is grace with strength.
Differences the Spirit makes
Motivation changes
Fleshly motivation: fear of punishment, desire for reputation
Spiritual motivation: love for God (2 Cor. 5:14)
Standard change
Worldly ethics: “What is acceptable”
Spirit - led ethics: “What pleases the Lord?”
Results change
Works of the flesh lead to conflict, corruption, and pride.
Fruit of the Spirit leads to harmony, holiness, and humility.
Image of God in Creation
Genesis 1:26-27
Humility is uniquely created in Gods image
This means we reflect God in:
Rationality: Ability to think, reason, and know truth
Relationality: Created for fellowship with God and one another
Morality: Capacity to discern right from wrong
Rule: Given dominion to steward creation under God
Creational Norms:
Every human being possesses inherent dignity, worth, and moral responsibility because they are God’s image
Image of God in Ethics
Because humans bear God’s image, biblical ethics is not just about rules but about reflecting God’s character in our lives.
Ethics flows from identity: who we are in relation to God shapes how we act.
Examples from Scripture
Murder is wrong - Genesis 9:6
Taking life is forbidden because humans reflect Gods image
Love for Neighbor - James 3:9
Our speech must honor others because we represent Gods likeness
Christ’s redemption restores the image - Colossians 3:10
Image of God and Creational Norms
Creational Norms +God’s design principles put into creation
The image of God is the key norm that grounds
Human dignity: all people deserve respect (no partiality, racism, exploitation)
Marriage and family: male and female created in Gods image
Work and stewardship: God created the world in six days and rested the 7th.
Harmony and Peace: Pervaded all creation; violence, vandalism, irresponsible pollution and unjust wars are all contrary to God’s design.
Implications
Sanctity of Life: abortion, euthanasia, and murder devolve God’s image
Equality: Every person has worth
Speech and Conduct: Gossip, slander, and racism and hatred are sins.
Mission: We are called to reflect Christ
Terms to Remember:
Ethics:
Christians Ethics
Creational Norms
Image of God in Man
Essay #1: Identify 5 major worldview themes
Essay #2 : Suppose that a society has never heard of the Bible. Is such a society accountable to a Biblical ethic. Would it be right for Christians to try to change the culture of such a society? PROVIDE SCRIPTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!