The importance of ethical teachings in the Life of Adherents
Christians are expected to place considerable value on the ethical teachings of the tradition in determining their response to a wide range of issues. General ethical guidance is provided by the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule. The life and ministry of Jesus provides a model for life action for Christians. This is reflected in the Christian ethos of caring for the needy and the vulnerable. Specific guidance is also provided in relation to contemporary ethical issues such as sexual morality, bioethics, international economics, ecological concerns and the use of force in international conflicts.
Christians are expected to place considerable value on the ethical teachings of the tradition in determining their response to a wide range of issues. General ethical guidance is provided by the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule. The life and ministry of Jesus provides a model for life action for Christians. This is reflected in the Christian ethos of caring for the needy and the vulnerable. Specific guidance is also provided in relation to contemporary ethical issues such as sexual morality, bioethics, international economics, ecological concerns and the use of force in international conflicts.
The Ten Commandments (Decalogue)
Contained in the Old Testament, this is a critical source of ethical guidance for Christians. It is a succinct summary of Christian ethics, and emphasize the importance of human life and the need to respect family and personal integrity. Christians frequently use the Ten Commandments as a framework for the key principles of Christian ethics.
Contained in the Old Testament, this is a critical source of ethical guidance for Christians. It is a succinct summary of Christian ethics, and emphasize the importance of human life and the need to respect family and personal integrity. Christians frequently use the Ten Commandments as a framework for the key principles of Christian ethics.
The Beatitudes
The fundamental source of ethical guidance for Christians in the New Testament. The Beatitudes which describes a life directed towards holiness is regarded as a foundational passage for Christian ethics. The Beatitudes provide a model for the Christian life because it warns against an approach which values only material strength and power, by pointing to an inversion of values where things that are often regarded as having no value according to the dominant culture are celebrated in the reign of God.
The fundamental source of ethical guidance for Christians in the New Testament. The Beatitudes which describes a life directed towards holiness is regarded as a foundational passage for Christian ethics. The Beatitudes provide a model for the Christian life because it warns against an approach which values only material strength and power, by pointing to an inversion of values where things that are often regarded as having no value according to the dominant culture are celebrated in the reign of God.
Jesus' commandment of Love
This very important ethical teaching can be distilled into the primary notions of the Love of God and the Love of the neighbour. In the ministry of Jesus, the commandment to love your neighbour is taken to a new level because Christians are required not only to love their neighbour but also their enemies. Love is seen as the fulfilment of the law because love is the essential quality that gives meaning to all other virtues. The Golden rule - "do unto others as you would have them do unto do" is said to sum up Christian ethics. There are no identifiable differences between the various Christian denominations in how they understand Jesus' commandment of love.
This very important ethical teaching can be distilled into the primary notions of the Love of God and the Love of the neighbour. In the ministry of Jesus, the commandment to love your neighbour is taken to a new level because Christians are required not only to love their neighbour but also their enemies. Love is seen as the fulfilment of the law because love is the essential quality that gives meaning to all other virtues. The Golden rule - "do unto others as you would have them do unto do" is said to sum up Christian ethics. There are no identifiable differences between the various Christian denominations in how they understand Jesus' commandment of love.