Bible & Ethics

Methodology 2:  The Use of the Bible in Christian Ethics Introduction: This post offers seven proposals for the use of the Bible in Christian Ethics, beginning with James Gustafson in 1974 and concluding with my own proposal.  These proposals are more descriptive than prescriptive, and a statement about the authority of Scripture would be needed alongside any one of them.  Such proposals are helpful to clarify what those engaging or using Scripture are doing in their work as Christian ethicists.  1. James Gustafson, ‘The Place of Scripture in Christian Ethics: A Methodological Study,’ Interpretation 24 (1970), 430-55, reprinted in his Theology and Christian Ethics (Philadelphia: Pilgrim Press, 1974). I. Theological Use of Scripture for Christian Ethics : we learn who God is from Scripture, and this guides our response to him.  Scripture is used to show us our ‘responsibilities’ in life. A. My examples : God is gracious towards us, and we ob...

Methodology 1: A Method for Moral Theology and Mission Practice Rollin G. Grams Students who wish to address issues in Christian ethics and to do so by engaging Scripture may consider the following method helpful.  The following outline should help to flush out issues for consideration—it does not give much direction about how to handle the issues (although I do express some of my assumptions here).  This outline may also function as a ‘map’ for more detailed discussion at a later point. I.                    Clarify Your Moral Vision A.     Why Clarifying our moral vision comes first. This step takes one well beyond writing an essay on a given topic, and it is in fact an ongoing procedure for those involved in mission practice.  But it is a step that should shape your thinking about the moral life and ministry. By making this the first step ...