Criteria, Standards and Methods of Christian Ethics / Sir JV TV

Sir JV TV

9 Feb 202108:05

Summary

TLDRThis lesson delves into Christian ethics, exploring criteria such as the 'criterion of right' emphasizing duties like truth and productivity, derived from Philippians and Colossians. It discusses the 'criterion of good' focusing on loving God and others, as per Matthew. The 'criterion of situation' is also highlighted, referencing Jesus' teachings. The standards of final authority are Jesus Christ and the Bible. Methods for ethical decision-making include intuition, faith, and reason, guiding Christians to align their actions with divine will.

Takeaways

📚 The lesson focuses on Christian ethics, specifically discussing criteria, standards, and methods.
✅ The first criterion is the 'criterion of right,' which emphasizes the duty of man, including practicing truth and nobility (Philippians 4:8-9).
🎯 The second criterion is the 'criterion of good,' which focuses on the purpose of man, such as loving God and neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40).
💡 The 'criterion of fit' emphasizes the situation of man, citing teachings like 'the Sabbath was made for man' (Mark 2:27).
✝️ Jesus Christ’s life and teachings serve as the final authority for Christian ethics, as emphasized by John 14:6.
📖 The Bible is a key standard for right and wrong, offering guidance on teaching and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
👁️ The first method of choosing Christian ethics is intuition, which refers to moral sense or conscience, given by God.
🙏 The second method is faith in God, which allows individuals to discern God’s will through Jesus Christ.
🧠 The third method is reason, described as the power of discrimination, allowing humans to think and analyze before making moral decisions.
💪 The lesson concludes with the reminder to put faith into action, highlighting that trusting in God requires active participation.

Q & A

What are the main criteria of Christian ethics discussed in the script?
-The main criteria of Christian ethics discussed are the criterion of right, which emphasizes duty, the criterion of good, which emphasizes purpose, and the criterion of love, which emphasizes situation.
What is the criterion of right in Christian ethics, and what are some examples of prescribed duties from the script?
-The criterion of right emphasizes the duty of man. Examples include practicing what is true and noble (Philippians 4:8-9), being productive (Colossians 1:10-12), and demonstrating justice, love, kindness, and humility with God (Micah 6:8).
How is the criterion of good in Christian ethics defined, and what are its primary purposes?
-The criterion of good emphasizes the purpose of man, which includes loving God above all else and loving one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-40), seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and doing the will of God from the heart.
What does the criterion of love in Christian ethics focus on, and what are some sayings of Jesus that illustrate this?
-The criterion of love focuses on the situation of man. Sayings of Jesus that illustrate this include 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath' (Mark 2:27) and 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's' (Mark 12:17).
What are the standards or final authorities for determining right and wrong in Christian ethics as mentioned in the script?
-The standards or final authorities for determining right and wrong in Christian ethics are Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings serve as the standard for Christian behavior, and the Word of God or the Bible, which is considered God-breathed and useful for teaching and training in righteousness.
How does the script describe the method of intuition in Christian ethics?
-Intuition in Christian ethics is described as an inside instinct or moral sense, a perception or conscience that God has given to man. It is the moral sense that dictates actions and feelings of guilt when mistakes are made.
What role does faith in God play in the methods of Christian ethics according to the script?
-Faith in God is essential for discerning God's will and experiencing it in life. It is through relating one's life to Jesus Christ and the workings of the Holy Spirit that one can understand and follow God's will.
How is reason incorporated into the methods of Christian ethics as discussed in the script?
-Reason, also called the power of discrimination, is incorporated as part of the methods of Christian ethics because God created man as a rational being. It involves thinking and analyzing situations, implications, and experiences before making moral decisions.
What is the final message or call to action given in the script regarding the practice of Christian ethics?
-The final message is to continue choosing what is good, right, and fit according to the standard of God and His word, using intuition, reason, and faith in God. It also emphasizes putting faith into action, as trusting in God is not a spectator's sport.
What does the script suggest about the relationship between what one is and what one becomes in the context of Christian ethics?
-The script suggests that what one is, is God's gift to them, and what one becomes is their gift back to God, implying that personal growth and development in Christian ethics is a reciprocal relationship between the individual and God.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Introduction to Christian Ethics

In this opening section, the instructor welcomes the class and introduces the topic of Christian ethics, specifically focusing on criteria, standards, and methods. The learning outcomes are set: understanding different ethical criteria, identifying basic standards of Christian ethics, and relating them to daily life. The lesson then moves to discussing where Christian ethics are based, starting with the 'criterion of right,' which emphasizes man's duty, citing biblical passages such as Philippians 4:8-9 and Micah 6:8.

05:03

📖 The Criterion of Good in Christian Ethics

This paragraph continues with the discussion on ethical criteria, introducing the 'criterion of good,' which focuses on man's purpose. The primary purposes of man, according to Christian ethics, are to love God and others, as outlined in Matthew 22:37-40, and to seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). The instructor references prior lessons on the five purposes of man and emphasizes the importance of doing God's will from the heart.

✝️ The Criterion of Fit in Christian Ethics

Here, the 'criterion of fit' is introduced, focusing on the situation of man. The teachings of Jesus are emphasized as key to this criterion, citing examples such as Mark 2:27 ('the Sabbath was made for man') and Mark 12:17 ('Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s'). The instructor concludes by encouraging students to reflect on what they are as a gift from God and what they become as their gift to God.

📜 Standards and Final Authorities in Christian Ethics

This section discusses the standards and final authorities for determining what is right and wrong in Christian ethics. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ serve as the ultimate standard, with the instructor quoting John 14:6 ('I am the way, the truth, and the life') and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 on the authority of scripture. The Bible is portrayed as essential for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness.

🔍 Methods of Christian Ethics: Intuition, Faith, and Reason

In this final section, the instructor outlines the methods used in Christian ethics: intuition, faith, and reason. Intuition is described as a God-given moral sense, guiding individuals in discerning right from wrong. Faith in God, particularly through Jesus Christ, is necessary to experience God's will. Finally, reason is emphasized as another key method, allowing humans to think, analyze, and make moral decisions. The instructor concludes with a call to put faith into action, reminding students that trusting God requires active participation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Christian Ethics

Christian Ethics refers to the moral principles and ethical standards derived from the teachings of the Christian faith, particularly those found in the Bible. In the video, it is the central theme around which the discussion of criteria, standards, and methods for ethical decision-making is structured. The video aims to educate viewers on how to apply Christian ethics to their lives, using examples and teachings from the Bible.

💡Criteria of Ethics

The Criteria of Ethics are the various principles or standards used to determine what is morally right or wrong. In the video, three criteria are discussed: the criterion of right, the criterion of good, and the criterion of situation. These criteria serve as a framework for understanding and applying Christian ethics, guiding individuals in their moral decision-making processes.

💡Criterion of Right

The Criterion of Right emphasizes duty and prescribes certain duties for individuals to follow. It is exemplified in the video through references to Philippians 4:8-9, Colossians 1:10-12, and Micah 6:8, which highlight the importance of truth, productivity, justice, love, kindness, and humility in one's actions. This criterion is integral to the video's exploration of ethical behavior.

💡Criterion of Good

The Criterion of Good focuses on the purpose of human life and is rooted in the teachings of loving God and one's neighbor as stated in Matthew 22:37-40. The video also mentions seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) as the greatest good. This criterion is used to illustrate the ultimate goal of ethical living from a Christian perspective.

💡Criterion of Situation

The Criterion of Situation emphasizes the context or circumstances in which ethical decisions are made. It is illustrated in the video through Jesus' teachings, such as the purpose of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27) and the separation of worldly and divine matters (Mark 12:17). This criterion highlights the importance of considering the specific situation when making ethical judgments.

💡Final Authorities

Final Authorities are the ultimate sources or standards that determine right and wrong in Christian ethics. The video identifies Jesus Christ and the Bible as the final authorities. Jesus' life and teachings, as well as the scripture being 'God-breathed,' are presented as the ultimate guides for ethical behavior, as seen in John 14:6 and 2nd Timothy 3:16-17.

💡Intuition

Intuition, in the context of the video, refers to the innate moral sense or conscience that guides individuals towards good actions. It is described as an instinct or perception that allows people to discern right from wrong, even without external guidance. The video suggests that intuition is a gift from God, enabling humans to make ethical decisions.

💡Faith in God

Faith in God is presented as a method for discerning God's will and making ethical decisions that align with it. The video emphasizes the importance of relating one's life to Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit to understand and follow God's will. This faith-based approach is crucial for experiencing God's guidance in ethical matters.

💡Reason

Reason, also called the power of discrimination, is the ability to think and analyze situations before making moral decisions. The video explains that God created humans as rational beings, equipped with the capacity to use reason in addition to moral sense. This involves considering the implications and consequences of actions, which is essential for making informed ethical choices.

💡Putting Faith into Action

Putting Faith into Action is the concept of not just believing in God but also demonstrating that faith through one's actions. The video concludes with the idea that trust in God should be active and not passive, implying that ethical living is an active practice of one's faith. This concept ties together the themes of intuition, faith, and reason, urging viewers to live out their Christian ethics actively.

Highlights

Introduction to Module 3 on Christian Ethics.

Learning outcomes include comparing criteria of Christian ethics, identifying standards, and observing methods.

Criterion of Right emphasizes duty, referencing Philippians 4:8-9.

Criterion of Right also includes being productive as per Colossians 1:10-12.

Criterion of Right involves justice, love, kindness, and humility as stated in Micah 6:8.

Criterion of Good focuses on the purpose of man, with love for God and others as the primary purpose.

Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is the greatest good, as per Matthew 6:33.

Criterion of Situation emphasizes the context of man's actions, with teachings from Jesus.

The Sabbath was made for man, highlighting the criterion of situation, as per Mark 2:27.

Render to Caesar and to God what is theirs, illustrating the criterion of situation, as per Mark 12:17.

Final authorities for Christian ethics include Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible.

Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, emphasizing His role in Christian behavior.

All scripture is useful for teaching and training in righteousness, from 2nd Timothy 3:16-17.

Intuition as a method in Christian ethics, involving moral sense and conscience.

Faith in God is essential for discerning God's will and aligning with Jesus Christ.

Reason, as a method, involves rational thinking and analysis in moral decision-making.

Encouragement to put faith into action, as trusting in God is an active engagement.

Closing with a reminder to choose good, right, and fit in the standard of God and His word.