Christian ethics are moral principles derived from Christian theology and teachings, primarily based on the Bible, church traditions, and theological understandings. Christian ethics serve as a guide for Christians on the way that they should live, in fact Christian ethics are an excellent guide for everyone to live by.
Here’s a summary of some Christian ethics:
1. Love God and love others: Jesus identified the greatest commandments as loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31). Jesus said that no other commandment is greater than these. This is the foundation of Christian ethics.
2. Seek God first and foremost: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Christians are encouraged to follow God’s commandments and live according to biblical principles.
3. Treat others the way you would want to be treated: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12).
4. All humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). This emphasises the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
5. Sanctity of life: Christian ethics upholds the value of human life from conception to natural death.
6. Forgiveness: “forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus stated that we should even forgive those who sin against us repeatedly, to forgive without limit (Matthew 18:21-22).
7. Justice: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1:17). Christians are called to uphold fairness, advocate for the oppressed.
8. Service to others: Following Christ’s example of servanthood, Christians are called to serve the poor, vulnerable, and marginalised. “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15)
9. Stewardship: Mankind has been given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28), but has a responsibility to manage it wisely.
10. Honesty & Integrity: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9); “You shall not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16).
11. Speaking Truth: It’s important that Christians speak truth into society, even when the truth might be unpopular. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32); “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
12. Faithfulness in Marriage: “Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure” (Hebrews 13:4).
Different Christian traditions (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant) may emphasise or interpret these principles differently, leading to varied positions on specific ethical issues like sexuality, capital punishment, war, environmentalism, and economic justice.
*Commentary by Family First staff writers.
