Jon Topping – Why are Christian ethics so counter cultural?

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Matthew 5:21-22

‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder,

and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that

anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “you fool,” is answerable to the

court. And anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.

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Disconnect

Why do conversations about ethics go so badly?

Not about the ethical issue

It’s about the ethical foundations (ethical worldview).

 

How do we get to their ethical worldview? – Keep asking questions!

“What sort of things do you think are wrong?” “Why are those things wrong?”

 

Ethical foundations and worldview

Foundational values of the person (they’re likely not even aware of it!)

Religious values = Purpose (created with purpose) and virtue (love, fruits of the Spirit).

              Objective morality = It’s true regardless of how people feel, because this is how we’re made.

              Abortion is bad because it destroys purpose; motivated by VICES (never VIRTUE).

              Homosexuality is bad because it goes against the designed PURPOSE of sex.

Secular values = Freedom and fulfilling desires.

              Subjective morality = The truth depends on the person, there’s no “real” morality.

              Abortion is good because of a woman’s right to CHOOSE (notice the focus on freedom).

              Homosexuality is good because people are FREE to love whoever they want.

 

Christians with secular values

When you feel like a Christian doesn’t hold biblical views in ethics, it’s likely because their foundational ethics are freedom based, because they have been raised in a secular culture.

 

Levels of ethics

Ethical issues = Why is this particular action good?

              Ex. Abortion, homosexuality, war, euthanasia, etc.

Ethical theories = How do you determine whether this action is good?

              Ex. No harm principle, utilitarianism, ethical egoism, divine command theory, virtue theory etc.

Meta-ethics = What is the good? What does good and bad even mean?

              Ex. Good/evil/harm/benefit determined by God, or determined by you, or by society, etc.

 

No harm principle

Secular way of understanding morality

Freedom is the ultimate focus = Harming someone else is bad; takes away their freedoms.

Subjective ethics = No “real” right or wrong. It depends on the person.

Moral nihilism = Real objective morality ends up not being part of their ethic.

 

Moral Nihilism

Moral Nihilism = Morality doesn’t really exist. Just a useful invention, or a way to manipulate.

Ethics = Morality ceases to exist. No such thing as “right” and “wrong”, only what is pragmatically beneficial for you.

Secular Ethics = Nothing guiding ethics except your own personal benefit (selfishness).

 

Nietzsche = Religion, God, morality, good and evil = They are all not real, only meant to control you.

              Get over your beliefs in God, objective morality, and a way things “ought” to be.

              Assert your freedom! Become the superman and do what you want without constraints.

Ayn Rand = Morality is about self-reliance, freedom, and selfishness.

              She was NOT a moral nihilist, but the end result is the same.

              Morality isn't about "good" or "evil", but instead, your personal selfishness.

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Consequences of this mindset

Polygamy, incest, transgenderism, trans-speciesism, transracialism, pedophilia, etc.

All are permissible, because the value is freedom rather than purpose.

All are permissible, because there is no objective concept of morality.

Morality becomes whatever helps the person get what they want, so all things can be moral.

Truth is no longer valued; morality is no longer valued. Only freedom is valued (and no harm).

 

Logical Entailment

Most people will not admit to these things, or claim to believe them.

NOT saying they believe this, or that their beliefs lead to these beliefs. What we’re saying is that the logical rationality used to justify what they believe ALSO JUSTIFIES these other beliefs.

If you believe homosexuality is morally acceptable because it doesn’t harm anyone, then you have morally excused other things you do not agree with (ex. incest).

This shows an inconsistency within the ethical worldview, and thus, it is wrong in some place.

 

Christian Ethic – A focus on purpose and virtue

Purpose = God has created us a certain way, and it is good for us to do what we’re designed to do.

Virtue = God has created us to be a certain way; good for us to BE the way He designed (ex. Fruits).

 

Fleet analogy

1. Ships shouldn’t bump into each other (no harm principle; where secular ethics stops).

2. Ships should be shipshape (focus on virtue, bad character will cause harm).

3. Fleet has a mission (focus on purpose, otherwise it is a useless creation).

 

Human purpose = Relationship with God

God created us to have relationship with Him

              Rebellion against God = Focus on freedom = That’s what sin and evil are.

              Sin and evil bring suffering and death.

The whole point of Jesus = To reconcile us to God, save us from the consequences.

 

God knows what’s best for us, and He knows what is damaging for us

              Proper ethics is submission to God

              Virtue = Be the way God wants you to be. This will automatically result in being good.

 

When talking to others

1. Ask lots of questions = Discover their foundations (ex. What do you think is wrong? Why?)

2. Point out inconsistencies, ask questions to show holes = Most haven’t thought this far.

3. Explain your perspective = God wants relationship (good for us), God created us with purpose (good for us), and Jesus Christ restores this purpose and relationship.