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CBCGL Sunday School Evangelical Ethics

Winter 2005Winter 2005

Dickson Chan, Irene FungDickson Chan, Irene Fung

Marina Lam, Sze-Ming LeeMarina Lam, Sze-Ming Lee

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Classes

Divorce & MarriageDivorce & MarriageAbortionAbortionSuicide & EuthanasiaSuicide & EuthanasiaCapital PunishmentCapital PunishmentCivil Disobedience & RevolutionCivil Disobedience & RevolutionDimensions of Decision MakingDimensions of Decision MakingWar and PeaceWar and Peace

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Dimensions of Decision Making

Definition of ethicsDefinition of ethicsValue of studying ethicsValue of studying ethicsEthics and theologyEthics and theologyMajor approaches in ethicsMajor approaches in ethics

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Definition of Ethics

General – “The systematic study of the General – “The systematic study of the principles of right conduct”principles of right conduct”

Christian – “The systematic study of the Christian – “The systematic study of the principles of right conduct – with scripture principles of right conduct – with scripture as the norm” (Evangelical) as the norm” (Evangelical)

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Value of studying Ethics

IndividualIndividualAid to personal sanctification (Rm 8:29-30)Aid to personal sanctification (Rm 8:29-30)Goal & purpose of our salvation (Rm12:1-2)Goal & purpose of our salvation (Rm12:1-2)

Corporate Corporate Aid to teaching and preaching (Titus 1:9)Aid to teaching and preaching (Titus 1:9)Salt & light to the society (Mt 5:13)Salt & light to the society (Mt 5:13)

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Theology and Ethics

Theology (faith); Ethics (practice)Theology (faith); Ethics (practice)Worldview (Worldview ( how people think, act, make how people think, act, make

law)law)What is the nature of ultimate reality?What is the nature of ultimate reality?What is human nature really like?What is human nature really like?What is the nature of the highest good?What is the nature of the highest good?How can I know the real, the true, and the How can I know the real, the true, and the

good?good?

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Major approaches in Ethics

4 dimensions:4 dimensions:Scripture, Tradition, Reason, ExperienceScripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience

Consequence (Lk 14:25-35)Consequence (Lk 14:25-35)Cause / benefit / bottom lineCause / benefit / bottom line

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War and Peace

Does the Bible give clear guidance for Does the Bible give clear guidance for people serving in the army?people serving in the army?

Do the OT and NT have significantly Do the OT and NT have significantly different perspectives on this issues?different perspectives on this issues?

History of war is as old as history itself. History of war is as old as history itself. What causes wars? (James 4:1)What causes wars? (James 4:1)

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War in history

Israelites offensive warsIsraelites offensive wars Invaded Canaan by God’s command Invaded Canaan by God’s command

Israelites mostly defensive warsIsraelites mostly defensive warsAgainst Canaanites, Midianites, Moabites, Against Canaanites, Midianites, Moabites,

Edomites, and Philistines @ period of judgesEdomites, and Philistines @ period of judgesWW I (9M military 30M civilian lives)WW I (9M military 30M civilian lives)WW II (17M military 34M civilian lives)WW II (17M military 34M civilian lives)Gulf Wars Gulf Wars

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Against War

Mt 5:38-48Mt 5:38-48Literally inconsistent with warfare?Literally inconsistent with warfare?

Eph 6:13-17Eph 6:13-17NT warfare paradigm shift?NT warfare paradigm shift?

Rom 12:17-21; 1 Pet 2:19-21Rom 12:17-21; 1 Pet 2:19-21 It’s God’s wrath and Jesus’ example!It’s God’s wrath and Jesus’ example!

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More on Bible …

Mt 5:27-30 … Literally?Mt 5:27-30 … Literally?Luke 14:26 vs 1Ti 5:7-8 … Contradiction?Luke 14:26 vs 1Ti 5:7-8 … Contradiction?John 18:19-23 … What did Jesus do?John 18:19-23 … What did Jesus do?Acts 23:1-5 … What did Paul do?Acts 23:1-5 … What did Paul do?

Attitude or non-revenge vs. doormatAttitude or non-revenge vs. doormat1 Pet 2:22-25 & Rom 3:25-261 Pet 2:22-25 & Rom 3:25-26

Neither crucifixion nor resurrection alone Neither crucifixion nor resurrection alone adequately represents God’s justiceadequately represents God’s justice

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More on Bible …

Soldier of faithSoldier of faith Hebrews 11:32-34; Luke 3:12-14, 7:1-9; Acts 10:2, 22 Hebrews 11:32-34; Luke 3:12-14, 7:1-9; Acts 10:2, 22

Use of deadly forceUse of deadly force Rom 13:4,6-7 (Rom 13:4,6-7 (c.f. Septuagint Gen 34:26, Judges 3:16c.f. Septuagint Gen 34:26, Judges 3:16))

Know Christ, the whole Christ …Know Christ, the whole Christ … John 2:13-22; Rev 19:11John 2:13-22; Rev 19:11 John 3:16; 2 Th 1:5-10John 3:16; 2 Th 1:5-10

Know God (c.f. Rom 3:25-26)Know God (c.f. Rom 3:25-26) Vindication of the righteousness and justiceVindication of the righteousness and justice

Even at the price of violence directed against his own Son.Even at the price of violence directed against his own Son.

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Dilemma

God’s love and God’s justiceGod’s love and God’s justiceGod’s word and God’s fulfillmentGod’s word and God’s fulfillmentBut …But …

How can love reconciled with the use of How can love reconciled with the use of deadly force?deadly force?

Preclude enemy soldier later repentance?Preclude enemy soldier later repentance?

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Just-war Traditional wisdom

Dominant majority within Christianity:Dominant majority within Christianity: Augustine, Augustine, The City of GodThe City of God Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Aquinas, Summa TheologicaSumma Theologica Martin Luther Martin Luther

““without armaments peace cannot be kept; wars are waged without armaments peace cannot be kept; wars are waged not only to repel injustice but also to establish a firm peace.”not only to repel injustice but also to establish a firm peace.”

Three criteriaThree criteria Declared by a legitimate authorityDeclared by a legitimate authority A just cause is requiredA just cause is required With rightful intention (advancement of With rightful intention (advancement of

good/avoidance of evil)good/avoidance of evil)

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Modern Additions

Before starting warBefore starting war Proportionality of proposed meansProportionality of proposed means

The cure should not be worse than the diseaseThe cure should not be worse than the disease Probable costs Probable costs

probability of successprobability of success Exhaustion of peaceful means of resolutionExhaustion of peaceful means of resolution

After the war startedAfter the war started Principle of proportionalityPrinciple of proportionality

Limited to legitimate military necessityLimited to legitimate military necessity Principle of discriminationPrinciple of discrimination

Direct, intentional attacks on non-combatants are prohibitedDirect, intentional attacks on non-combatants are prohibited

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Reflection

Harry S. Truman, Diary, 7/25/1945*Harry S. Truman, Diary, 7/25/1945* “ … “ … most terrible bomb in history … 13 lbs … visible most terrible bomb in history … 13 lbs … visible

in 200 miles & audible in 40 milesin 200 miles & audible in 40 miles “ … “ … to be used against Japan between now and to be used against Japan between now and

8/10/1945 … military objectives and soldiers and 8/10/1945 … military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children …sailors are the target and not women and children …

“ … “ … good thing Hitler & Stalin did not discover this good thing Hitler & Stalin did not discover this bomb … most terrible … but can be made the most bomb … most terrible … but can be made the most useful … useful …

* Robert H. Ferrell, Off the Record: The Private Papers of Harry S. Truman, New * Robert H. Ferrell, Off the Record: The Private Papers of Harry S. Truman, New York: Harper & Row, 1980, pp 55-56. York: Harper & Row, 1980, pp 55-56.

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Reflection

National Strategy to Combat WMD – Dec National Strategy to Combat WMD – Dec 20022002 ““the United States … reserves the right to the United States … reserves the right to

respond with overwhelming force – including respond with overwhelming force – including through resort to all of our options …”through resort to all of our options …”

““because deterrence may not succeed … US because deterrence may not succeed … US military forces … must have the capability to military forces … must have the capability to defense against WMD … including in defense against WMD … including in appropriate case through preemptive appropriate case through preemptive measures …”measures …”