by Carissa Miller
Ethics is the study of morality and putting into practice what we think is morally right and just. There are a number of ethical approaches that have been formulated and defined throughout the passed few centuries to say the least. There is the teleological ethic: a moral decision that is focused on the end result; the deontological ethic: a moral decision based on a strict sense of right or wrong and is done mainly out of a sense of duty to a defined set of rules; the utilitarian ethic: a moral decision that is focused on creating the greatest good for the greatest number of people, where the means justifies the end; and so on.
Each defined ethical approach has its good and bad points. When it comes down to it, each moral or ethical decision we make is context dependent. We waiver between the type of ethic we function in when making moral decisions based on the context and content of the decision and action to be made.
How do we ever know then, which compromises to make or how to make wise and morally just decisions? Steve Fogarty said in class today, "We need data, we need input… but I’m not sure that we need rules." I agree. We don’t need to be legalistic. Where the Bible is concerned, we can’t formulate a definite set of rules for any given situation based on specific words of instruction within it.
Praise God in all His glory and wisdom, because He has given us a Bible that provides the data and input we need to be ethical and morally just decision makers. His Word enlightens us spiritually so that we can continue to walk, move, learn, teach, speak, decide, and act in the power, wisdom, and guidance of our All-knowing, All-powerful L
ORD, Jesus Christ. Thank you God for your ethical excellence, your moral support, your encouragement, and your guidance. I ask that you move in our lives and our minds. That you would be our greatest authority and that we would choose to appease you first, upholding your character and very nature of love in our own lives through an outpouring of Your righteousness in our decisions and actions in our world and in our relationships. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
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