Poll Results
Do you consider yourself well taught in the realm of ethics?
Yes, I have given a good amount of attention to the study of ethics Votes: 3
In the sense that the Bible deals a lot with ethics, yes; as a specialized discipline, a little or none Votes: 10
No, and I have no regrets Votes: 0
No, but it would be nice in an ideal world for me to do so Votes: 1
Other Votes: 2
Discussion
NewEthics: How Much Attention
Most of us have some clear ethical stands: we are against abortion, against gay marriage, for honesty, truth, and loving others. We can more or less assume that.
I have read a few books, booklets, and articles on ethics, but most of my ethics come directly from Bible study. I have been impressed with Jewish Ethics, however, and their nuanced understanding of ways to love others. Still, I have not studied ethics deeply.
How about you? Are ethics your strong suit?
"The Midrash Detective"
NewNope
I have three degrees in theology, and I think I only took 3 ethics courses. One was Catholic Theological Ethics and one was actually a study on predestination and related ethical considerations. So, nope, not much of an ethicist.
My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com
Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin
NewPolitical theory
You get some increased exposure to ethics studying social studies, political theory. So picked a bit up here and there in that. Then a seminary course.
But your second option makes a good pt: the Bible is so full of “ethics.”
Still, it could probably use a bit more systematic attention in Christian colleges/seminaries.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
NewEthics
It seems to me that a Christian cannot separate ethics from the Bible itself. If we wish to maintain a Christian worldview, which is the only legitimate worldview, then it would necessarily follow that our very sense of ethics flows from God, doesn’t it? Where do we get our sense of right from wrong?
I think it is a mistake to separate the two, because it necessarily implies that they can be separated. I don’t think they can be. I’ve never studied “ethics” at all, but these are my thoughts.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewThoughts
Tyler, your point is well taken, but you can start with the Bible and then discuss applying Biblical principles to particular situations (genetic engineering, fertilization outside the womb, abortion when a mother’s life is endangered, etc.). For example, in the book, “A Code of Jewish Ethics,” under loving our neighbor, the author (Telushkin) addresses how wrong it is to speak well of someone you know the other person dislikes, or to talk to a poor hungry man about the great meal you made the other day. The Bible should be the source for absolutes and principles we apply, but applying them correctly can get pretty particular.
"The Midrash Detective"
NewMostly app
I agree that ethics is mostly application. You definitely have a lot of ethics in Scripture, because the Bible applies itself a lot. (Luke 10 “Who is my neighbor?” comes to mind… and all the Pauline epistles have ethical sections: let him who stole steal no more but work with his own hands, etc.)
But there are huge areas where specialized ethics are needed in fields such as law, contract work, intellectual property, marketing, healthcare, scientific research. So I guess we could divide the main question into micro and macro ethics. The micro is almost limitless. The macro—at the level of principles like the golden rule—is all in the Bible.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.