Session 26Session 26Session 26Session 26

The Bible inThe Bible in

Ethical DecisionsEthical Decisions

The Bible inThe Bible in

Ethical DecisionsEthical Decisions

I. Introduction:I. Introduction:I. Introduction:I. Introduction:

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-making

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-makingA.The Bible as a Moral Code Book

1. DefinitionA.The Bible as a Moral Code Book

1. Definition

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-making

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-makingA.The Bible as a Moral Code Book

1. Definition2. Evaluation

A.The Bible as a Moral Code Book1. Definition2. Evaluation

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-making

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-makingA.The Bible as a Moral Code Book

1. Definition2. Evaluation

B. The Bible as a Helpful Moral Resource Alongside Many Other Resources1. Definition

A.The Bible as a Moral Code Book1. Definition2. Evaluation

B. The Bible as a Helpful Moral Resource Alongside Many Other Resources1. Definition

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-making

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-makingA.The Bible as a Moral Code Book

1. Definition2. Evaluation

B. The Bible as a Helpful Moral Resource Alongside Many Other Resources1. Definition2. Evaluation

A.The Bible as a Moral Code Book1. Definition2. Evaluation

B. The Bible as a Helpful Moral Resource Alongside Many Other Resources1. Definition2. Evaluation

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-making

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-makingC.The Bible as the Inspired Word of God

1. DefinitionC.The Bible as the Inspired Word of God

1. Definition

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-making

II. II. The Nature and Authority The Nature and Authority of Scripture in Ethical of Scripture in Ethical

Decision-makingDecision-makingC.The Bible as the Inspired Word of God

1. Definition2. Evaluation

C.The Bible as the Inspired Word of God1. Definition2. Evaluation

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

A.Many contemporary ethical issues are not directly addressed by scripture.

A.Many contemporary ethical issues are not directly addressed by scripture.

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

A.Many contemporary ethical issues are not directly addressed by scripture.

B.Some ethical issues addressed in scripture, while closely related, are not identical to current ethical issues.

A.Many contemporary ethical issues are not directly addressed by scripture.

B.Some ethical issues addressed in scripture, while closely related, are not identical to current ethical issues.

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

C. Issues Surrounding the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments

C. Issues Surrounding the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

C. Issues Surrounding the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments

D.The Relationship between the Uniqueness of the Situation and the Universal Character of the Ethical Demands

C. Issues Surrounding the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments

D.The Relationship between the Uniqueness of the Situation and the Universal Character of the Ethical Demands

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

III. III. Hermeneutical Issues in Hermeneutical Issues in Ethical Decision-makingEthical Decision-making

C. Issues Surrounding the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments

D.The Relationship between the Uniqueness of the Situation and the Universal Character of the Ethical Demands

E. Handling Issues Involving Multiple Biblical Principles and Paradigms

C. Issues Surrounding the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments

D.The Relationship between the Uniqueness of the Situation and the Universal Character of the Ethical Demands

E. Handling Issues Involving Multiple Biblical Principles and Paradigms

Difficult cases must be decided within the broad Difficult cases must be decided within the broad contours of biblical teaching, but sometimes we contours of biblical teaching, but sometimes we may have to appeal to the leading of the Holy Spirit may have to appeal to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the discernment of the Christian community. and the discernment of the Christian community. This does not mean that one moral response is as This does not mean that one moral response is as good as another, but it does mean we must use good as another, but it does mean we must use humility in the decision-making process. We need humility in the decision-making process. We need to make clear what is at stake biblically and to make clear what is at stake biblically and theologically and then seek the moral good theologically and then seek the moral good through the Spirit’s leading, sanctified reasoning, through the Spirit’s leading, sanctified reasoning, and the collective wisdom of the church, both past and the collective wisdom of the church, both past and present.and present.

Dennis P. Hollinger, Dennis P. Hollinger, Choosing the GoodChoosing the Good, 162, 162

IV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the BibleIV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical

Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the Bible

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsA.Specific Commands in Specific Contexts

IV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the BibleIV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical

Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the Bible

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsA.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine Commands

IV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the BibleIV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical

Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the Bible

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsC.Principles

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsC.Principles

IV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the BibleIV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical

Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the Bible

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsC.PrinciplesD.General Paradigms and Implied Ethical

Directions

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsC.PrinciplesD.General Paradigms and Implied Ethical

Directions

IV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the BibleIV. IV. Forms of Ethical Forms of Ethical

Guidance in the BibleGuidance in the Bible

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsC.PrinciplesD.General Paradigms and Implied Ethical

DirectionsE. Moral Examples and Stories

A.Specific Commands in Specific ContextsB.General Divine CommandsC.PrinciplesD.General Paradigms and Implied Ethical

DirectionsE. Moral Examples and Stories

V. ConclusionV. ConclusionV. ConclusionV. Conclusion