Difference between revisions of "Ethics"

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(The fallen nature of man)
(The nature of mankind)
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==The nature of mankind==
 
==The nature of mankind==
  
The [[Bible]] teaches that all people, male and female, are, alone of all creation, made in the "image of God" ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:27&version=ESV; Genesis 1:27]) However, this beautiful image, which God calls "very good" ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A31&version=ESV Genesis 1:31]) has become marred by the sinful, or fallen, nature of all people. The tension between the two aspects of humans as "very good" created beings who bear the image of God and also recognizing their incredible capacity to do and think evil things, taken together is resolved in the conclusion that humans are "fallen" because of [[the banality of good]], evil deeds carry much more weight than good ones; it is far easier to destroy than to build. A small amount of poison can contaminate a well, but a vast amount of water is required to dilute it to the point of safety, and no amount of dilution can truly remove the poison. This leads to the Christian concept of sin. The Bible teaches that all people sin and are falling short of the 100% standard required of them. Since no-one is able to meet this standard, humans are equally guilty before God of "missing the mark". Whether your glass contains only one drop of poison, or if it contains 50% poison, it's result is the same, the drinkers will end up equally dead.
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The [[Bible]] teaches that all people, male and female, are, alone of all creation, made in the "image of God" ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:27&version=ESV; Genesis 1:27]) However, this beautiful image, which God calls "very good" ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A31&version=ESV Genesis 1:31]) has become marred by the sinful, or fallen, nature of all people. The tension between the two aspects of humans as "very good" created beings who bear the image of God and also recognizing their incredible capacity to do and think evil things, taken together is resolved in the conclusion that humans are "fallen." This is because of [[the banality of good]], evil deeds carry much more weight than good ones; it is far easier to destroy than to build. A small amount of poison can contaminate a well, but a vast amount of water is required to dilute it to the point of safety, and no amount of dilution can truly remove the poison. This leads to the Christian concept of sin. The Bible teaches that all people sin and are falling short of the 100% standard required of them. Since no-one is able to meet this standard, humans are equally guilty before God of "missing the mark". Whether your glass contains only one drop of poison, or if it contains 50% poison, it's result is the same, the drinkers will end up equally dead.

Revision as of 11:20, 1 March 2015

Christian Ethics center around the concept of Christian love. This is based on the nature and character of God, of whom the Bible says "God is love" (1 John 4:8.) Jesus Christ taught that all Godly laws and all the teaching of the prophets which came before flow from the two Great commandments;; “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." and "love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:28-34)

In the context of Christian agroecology, loving God and neighbor are both expressed in creation care, since God loves and blesses his creation, including the cosmos, the earth, and it's inhabitants; all living creatures.

Love for God

To love God above all else is to acknowledge his greatness and his goodness, to want to lift him up, to love that which he loves and to want to please him in everything.

Worship

Love for all people

To love your neighbor as yourself to to recognize the equality of all people before God and not to put yourself above (or below) anyone else.

Love has many aspects, among which are boldness, gentleness and truth. Lacking any one of these, love is not complete and can be damaging. To properly love someone, truth is needed. Sometimes that means confronting someone with difficult issues and difficult truths. Confrontation can be a necessary part of love, but condemnation is not part of love. Service

Love for creation

Creation care is a foundation of Christian ethics based on the first few chapters of the Bible.

God's love for his own creation

(Genesis 1-3: God called it good, very good and blessed it)

God chose to involve mankind in care for creation

(tend the garden) (Working the earth is a good thing and not a curse)

God gave the earth to mankind as an inheritance

In entrusting his creation to mankind as an inheritance man ought to exert ownership and rulership over the earth.

The nature of mankind

The Bible teaches that all people, male and female, are, alone of all creation, made in the "image of God" (Genesis 1:27) However, this beautiful image, which God calls "very good" (Genesis 1:31) has become marred by the sinful, or fallen, nature of all people. The tension between the two aspects of humans as "very good" created beings who bear the image of God and also recognizing their incredible capacity to do and think evil things, taken together is resolved in the conclusion that humans are "fallen." This is because of the banality of good, evil deeds carry much more weight than good ones; it is far easier to destroy than to build. A small amount of poison can contaminate a well, but a vast amount of water is required to dilute it to the point of safety, and no amount of dilution can truly remove the poison. This leads to the Christian concept of sin. The Bible teaches that all people sin and are falling short of the 100% standard required of them. Since no-one is able to meet this standard, humans are equally guilty before God of "missing the mark". Whether your glass contains only one drop of poison, or if it contains 50% poison, it's result is the same, the drinkers will end up equally dead.