Christian Ethics

1
Christian Ethics

• SCTR 19 Religions of the Book
• Felix Just, S.J.

2
Definitions

• Greek ethos Latin mores
• Custom (how people act/live)
• So Ethics Morals
• But practical usage often distinguishes
• Sexual Morality
• Social Ethics

3
Foundational Principles

• Basic Moral Imperative
• "Do good avoid evil" (cf. Luke 627-36)
• Decalogue
• Ten Commandments (Exod 20 Deut 5), partially
  quoted in Matt 517-48 Mark 1019

4
Ethical Principles (cont.)

• Greatest Commandment
• "Love the Lord, your God, with your whole
  heart" "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Deut
  64 Lev 1918) quoted in Mark 1229-31 etc.
• Other Love Commands
• "Love your enemies" (Matt 543-48 Luke 627-35)
• "Love one another as I have loved you" (John
  1334 1512-17 Rom 138 1 Thess 49 etc.)

5
Ethical Principles (cont.)

• Golden Rule
• "Do unto others as you would have them do unto
  you" (Matt 612 par. Luke 631)
• Related "forgiving others" (Matt 612-15), "not
  judging others" (Matt 71-5), striving to be
  like God (Matt 548 Luke 112-4 cf. Lev
  1144-45).
• Conscience
• Priority of individual conscience (follow Inner
  Voice)
• Obligation to develop an "informed" conscience

6
Sexual Morality

• Dual Purpose of Sex
• Consistent Ethic of Life
• Central Role of Family
• Mutuality in Human Relationships

7
Social Ethics

• Dignity of Each Person
• Preserve the Common Good
• Work, Participation, Property
• Care of the Poor/Needy