Transcript Applied Ethics Jim Sutherland, PhD www.RMNI.org “Morally acceptable behavior” • In 2003 a survey was taken by the Barna Group.

Applied Ethics
Jim Sutherland, PhD www.RMNI.org
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“Morally acceptable behavior”
• In 2003 a survey was taken by the Barna Group. At that
time 84% of Americans professed to be Christians.
These activities were considered "morally acceptable"
gambling (61%), cohabitation (60%) and sexual
fantasies (59%). Also morally acceptable to 45% was
abortion, to 42% was adultery, to 38% was pornography,
to 36% was profanity, to 35% was drunkenness and to
30% was homosexual sex.
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Unethical
A male nurse was sold a property for a nursing
home. The area had flooded several times in the past
20 or so years, but was not told.
A major flood was expected and the wife of the seller
offered to take out flood insurance a few days in advance,
but could not, since it had to be taken out a month in
advance. Water filled the house to a depth of about four
feet.
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It Got Worse
This nurse, on the day of the flood called a good friend and
asked if he could come help move furniture and appliances
before the water rose. It was Wednesday night and the man
said that he could come over around 9 pm that night, after
his Bible study on the seven deadly sins. He was told not to
bother to come.
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The Foundations Destroyed
• "The contemporary West, especially Europe, is now busy
amputating its soul. It is rejecting the source of its
greatness, that is, the truth revealed by God's Word that
defines the value of every individual and redefines the
purpose and the function of the state. The West is
discarding the source of its morality, rationality, family
and humanity: the intellectual foundation of human
rights, justice, compassion, care and education." Vishal
Mangalwadi, Truth and Transformation, 2009, p. 63,
ISBN: 978-1576585122
– Psalm 11:3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
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SEXUALITY
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Humanity’s Basic Identity is
Gender: Genesis 1:27
• God wants the sexes kept
distinct. No unisex-attempting to dress like the
opposite sex (Deut. 22:5).
What this means varies
according to the culture. Is the
dress masculine or feminine-is the issue.
– God is opposed to
transvestism (those attempting
to be the opposite sex) and to
sex-change operations.
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Homosexuality/Lesbianism 1≠1
• God’s view of homosexuality is seen by His treatment of
Sodom (Gen. 19:24-25).
– Leviticus 18:22 "'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a
woman; that is detestable.
– Leviticus 20:13 13 "'If a man lies with a man as one lies
with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.
They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own
heads.
– Romans 1:26-27 God gave them over to shameful lusts.
Even their women exchanged natural relations for
unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also
abandoned natural relations with women and were
inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent
acts with other men, and received in themselves the due
penalty for their perversion.
• These verses show God’s attitude very clearly.
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Homosexuality/Lesbianism 1≠1
– Homosexuality may be encouraged by
domineering mothers and weak fathers,
but scripture calls it impurity and
degradation (Romans 1:24).
• Those openly flaunting their sin are believing a lie
(Romans 1:25).
• Christians are to treat homosexuals with no less
Christian love than other pagans.
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Bestiality: human + animal
• The sexual union is reserved for a marriage between a man
and woman.
• However, sexual relations with animals is discovered today, as
in Uganda.
• Bestiality is a serious perversion.
– Leviticus 18:23 "'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and
defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an
animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
– Leviticus 20:15-16 "'If a man has sexual relations with an animal,
he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal. 16 "'If a
woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill
both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their
blood will be on their own heads.
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The Sexual union is for Marriage
• The marriage bed is “pure”
(Hebrews 13:4, NIV).
– “Shacking up” or co-habiting is
impure.
– Wife-swapping is impure, as is
practiced at German “swinger
clubs.” This has official
government sanction—so what
is legal is not always pure.
– “One night stands” are impure.
– What is acceptable by both the
husband and wife in bed is pure.
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Fornication
(sex outside marriage)
•
•
•
•
"The old, popular approach to sexual morality argued for extra-marital abstinence in
purely consequentialist terms, from the fears of conception, detection and infection."
Holmes, p. 114
The root word is “porneia” in Greek, from which we have “pornography.”
As with adultery, those practicing it will not inherit God’s Kingdom
– 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10
…will inherit the kingdom of God.
– Ephesians 5:5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy
person-- such a man is an idolater-- has any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God.
– Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept
pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Since a Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, fornication is sin against
our body (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
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Prostitution
• Leviticus 19:29 “’Do not degrade your daughter by making her a
prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with
wickedness.
• Proverbs 6:23-26 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a
light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, 24 keeping
you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward
wife. 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate
you with her eyes, 26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,
and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
• 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 Do you not know that your bodies are members
of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite
them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites
himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two
will become one flesh.”
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Monogamy: 2  1
• One male, Adam, was given one
female, Eve (Gen. 2:24). Jesus
upheld the inspiration of that text
and endorsed monogamy when
He quoted from it, “the two will
become one flesh” (Matt. 19:5-6;
Eph. 5:31).
• God’s plan was not for a spouse
and another lover or mistress and
occasional prostitutes (1 Cor.
6:15-16).
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Polygamy: 1 +1 + 1+…
• God did allow polygamy in the Old
Testament (Deut. 21:15; 2 Sam. 12:8).
Islam still allows four wives.
• It led to jealousy and strife in the family
(Sarai and Hagar, Gen. 16:1-6; Leah and
Rachel, Gen. 29:31-37).
• Should a man divorce a second or third
wife if he just became a Christian? God
hates divorce, and He counsels against
divorcing an unbelieving wife (1 Cor.
7:10). I believe that he should keep his
wives, support and nurture them, but he
cannot take church leadership (1 Tim. 3:2,
12).
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Multiple Spouses: 1 +1 + 1+…
• The New Testament teaches against
polygamy through the ideal stated
by Jesus and through the
qualification that church leaders be
monogamous (1 Tim. 3:2, 12).
• By the same principles, androgeny
(one woman having multiple
husbands), practiced by some
African tribes) is also outside God’s
definition of marriage.
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Christian + Christian
• A true Christian may only marry a
true Christian (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
• The Christian has been called out
of darkness (1 Pet. 2:9), but
unbelievers are still in the
“dominion of darkness” (Col. 1:13).
– One is on the narrow way and the
other on Broadway (Matt. 7:13-14).
• Marriage is normally for life, not for
eternity, as Mormons teach (Matt.
22:30).
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Playing With Fire
• A true Christian engages in potentially selfdestructive behavior by dating non-Christians.
• God doesn’t condone marriage to “evangelize.” If
he won’t “convert” to “get you,” he probably won’t
convert after he has you, although a husband can
be won by submissive wife (1 Pet. 3:1-2).
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• The best protection from
STDs is sexual purity. Other
methods are imperfect
against AIDS and other
diseases.
• Christians aren’t forced to
sin (1 John 3:9; 1 Cor.
10:13). Consider the
consequences.
• Consider self dead to sin, so
we don’t have to allow sin to
control our body (Rom. 6:1113).
• The fruit of the Spirit
includes self-control (Gal.
5:22-23).
“Safe Sex”
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God Protects Sexual Relationships
• Adultery
– He warns adulterers (those married
who have sex outside of marriage)
and fornicators (the unmarried
having sex) that they will be
punished with hell, apart from
repentance and faith in Christ (1
Cor. 6:9-10, 18).
– God sees all our sexual behavior,
even in darkness (Prov. 5:21)--as He
did King David’s (2 Sam. 12:9).
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Why Say
“No”
• A woman who gives away her virginity without the vows of
marriage is incredibly blind or ignorant. She squanders
her purity and her body and the man takes advantage of
her, taking without giving security.
• According to one study, only 10% of those living together
unmarried eventually marry each other.
• “Why buy the cow, when you can have the milk for free?”
There is little leverage for marriage left (Jehosaphat
Wanyama).
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Divorce

Jesus Himself allowed divorce because of
adultery. It isn’t mandatory, but neither is it unChristian for the offended party to divorce.


Matthew 19:9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his
wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries
another woman commits adultery."
Desertion by a marriage partner who is not a
Christian leaves the Christian unbound to that
marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him
do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such
circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
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“Porneia”

The word for adultery is not specifically used in
Matt. 5:32 or 19:9 (and it is distinguished from
adultery in 15:19).

The term is more broad than strictly adultery,
although it includes adultery. It can include incest and
sex with prostitutes and bestiality, as well as
homosexuality. John Jefferson Davis, Evangelical Ethics, 3rd ed., p. 106,
ISBN: 9780875526225
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Divorce


The apostles Paul and Peter stressed winning
the unbeliever to Christ (1 Cor. 7:16; 1 Pet. 3:12). The assumption is that either husband or
wife became a Christian after marriage.
The Bible is silent regarding grounds other than
adultery or desertion by an unbeliever. Much
that is legal divorce (as for “incompatibility” or
“irreconcilable differences”) is unscriptural and
therefore sinful.
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Divorce

God “hates” divorce (Mal. 3:15-16). Divorce for
other than adultery or desertion (some would
extend it to desertion by a believer), makes either
husband or wife liable to the charge of adultery
upon further sexual relations.



From God’s perspective, they are still married (Matt.
19:9).
Therefore be very careful who you marry (Matt. 19:1011).
If a polygamist becomes a Christian, it is better to
continue to care for his wives and their children, instead
of divorcing them, making the situation worse.
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Remarriage



It’s clearly alright to remarry upon the death of a
marriage partner (1 Cor. 7:39-40), but
particularly those of childbearing age (1 Tim.
5:14).
Good Christians differ on grounds for divorce,
but Jesus is clear that if a person divorces due
to adultery, he or she doesn’t commit adultery by
remarriage.
Since the deserted partner is “not bound” (1 Cor.
7:15), presumably to the former partner, there is
freedom to remarry a believer (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
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Family Planning: Contraceptives
• Why is family planning desired? Together with the
need for a companion of the husband, marriage is
for bearing children (Gen. 1:28).
– Paul even counseled younger widows to remarry and
bear children (1 Tim. 5:14).
– If the wife has physical reasons why she cannot have
children, or possibly strong emotional ones, postponing
children or ceasing to have children could be justified.
• 1 Peter 3:7 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you
live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker
partner….”
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Family Planning: Contraceptives
• However, a couple may want to devote resources to
themselves and not be hindered by children. They
may want freedom to travel and to enjoy each other,
not having the burden of children .
– They may wish to postpone children until later in life,
reducing the size of their possible family, as the wife ages.
– Whole populations of countries are having few children, so
that populations are declining, as in Russia and Europe.
– Workers are imported into these nations from Muslim
countries, creating the potential for an eventual Muslim
population majority, as immigrant family sizes are much
larger than that of the host nation.
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Abortion
• When does life begin?
– Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me
together in my mother's womb. 15 My frame was not hidden
from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was
woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw
my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were
written in your book before one of them came to be.
– Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a
prophet to the nations."
– Exodus 21:22-23 22 "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant
woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no
serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the
woman's husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if
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there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
Abortion
• When is abortion justified?
– "If the fetal life threatens the mother's right to life, most
people would allow an abortion. I suggest this is because
actual personhood has greater value than potential
personhood: the mother's right to life ranks higher."
Holmes, p. 93
– In the case of forced pregnancy—rape (including incest), I
think that the woman would have the right to terminate the
pregnancy, so as not to have to live with the results of the
crime--being reminded daily of the features of the rapist in
the offspring. The pregnancy began due to sin and is not
part of God’s plan for motherhood.
• However, God can even make the violation work for good
through the life of the child, if abortion is not chosen.
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Rape
• Deuteronomy 22:28-29 If a man happens to meet a
virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her
and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay the girl's father
fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has
violated her. He can never divorce her as long as
– It would seem that the father would need to consent to the
marriage, but she is spoiled in her marriage opportunities
thereafter. The man must live with the consequences of
his crime.
– Deuteronomy 22:25 But if out in the country a man
happens to meet a girl pledged to be married and rapes
her, only the man who has done this shall die.
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Other Ethical Issues
Bribery, Use of Alcohol, Tribalism
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Bribery
• Bribery can be solicited or unsolicited and
involves paying for special treatment or to
avoid special penalties.
– Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives
it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
– Proverbs 21:14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
– Exodus 23:8 "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds
those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
– Deuteronomy 27:25 "Cursed is the man who accepts a
bribe to kill an innocent person." Then all the people
shall say, "Amen!“
– Ecclesiastes 7:7 Extortion turns a wise man into a fool,
and a bribe corrupts the heart.
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Bribery
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• Acts 24:26-27 “At the same time he was
hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so
he sent for him frequently and talked with
him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix
was succeeded…”
– Paul was smart enough to know that Felix wanted a bribe,
but did not pay it.
Alcohol—Negative Useage


Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led
astray by them is not wise.
Proverbs 23:29-35 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has
strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has
bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample
bowls of mixed wine. 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when
it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it
bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see
strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will
be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
35 "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but
I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
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Alcohol: Negative Useage


Proverbs 31:4-7 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to
drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5 lest they drink and forget
what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in
anguish; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember
their misery no more.
Ephesians 5:18 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
 This scripture would also cover drug use and any intoxicants. We
are not to be under the control of any intoxicant for pleasure.
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Alcohol: Negative Useage




Proverbs 21:17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever
loves wine and oil will never be rich
Genesis 9:20-21 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a
vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk
and lay uncovered inside his tent.
Genesis 19:32-33 Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie
with him and preserve our family line through our father." 33 That
night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter
went in and lay with him. He was not aware of it when she lay
down or when she got up.
Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run
after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed
with wine.
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Alcohol: Positive Useage




Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread
and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
 Wine had to be fermented in the conditions of the Middle East.
The Aaronic priests were given new wine as part of their support
(Num. 18:12)
Psalm 104:14-15 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for
man to cultivate-- bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that
gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread
that sustains his heart.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the
firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to
overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
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Tribalism
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• Tribalism is to show favoritism to a member of
one’s own tribe simply because of tribal
membership.
– Preference may be given in hiring, in church
leadership, etc.
• This issue is deep, but often avoided and ignored.
• God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34; Rom.
2:11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:23).
– Christians are commanded to “do nothing out of
favoritism” (1 Tim. 5:21; James 2:1,9).
Favoritism
• Scripture does teach predestination, which is God
choosing to save certain people (Rom. 9:11-24;
Eph. 1:4-6; Rom. 8:29-30), but this is unmerited
favor, not favor due to any attribute in the one
chosen. God’s selection is based simply upon His
mercy, not upon any affiliation or merit.
• Gal. 6:10 teaches to do good to all, especially to
those of the “family of believers.” This is not
favoritism, since Paul first mentions doing good to
“all people,” but acknowledges special Christian
family ties, which can be stronger than natural
family and tribal bonds.