The ethics of the Old and New Testaments

(Originally written February 2, 2006)

Moral Choices: Chapter 2

Christian Ethics

Judeo-Christian ethics has had a big impact on society since ints inception (despite recent departures)

Euthyphro dilemma (Plato raised this first in Euthyphro): is something good because God commanded it or did God command something because it is good?

The Old Testament is not a carefully arranged ethical system; it is a mixture of different types of moral reasoning.

Deontology (appeal to principles) is emphasized in the Old Testament. (The Law)

The Wisdom literature contains some utilitarian reasoning.

Since the Wisdom literature is based on the teaching of the law, so too is the utilitarian reasoning based on the Law's deontology. This utilitarian reasoning serves as a supplement to the Law's deontology.

Egoism and self-interest also supplement the deontology. This egoism and self-interest are found in passages that deal with Israel's obedience corresponding with God's bestowing of blessing on them.

Natural law is also found in the Old Testament. It is stated in Proverbs that right and wrong that right and wrong comes from observation of nature. It is also revealed through general revelation to nations without the Law.

The Law (Pentateuch) has three fundamental principles:
1) The Moral Law (10 Commandments)
2) The Civil Law
3) The Ceremonial Law

The Prophets use the Law to indict Israel

The ancient nation of Israel was a theocracy. There was no distinction between law and morality. All morality was legislated.

Israel made no distinction between personal and social ethics.

Today social and personal ethics are separated to allow for a morally relative and non-judgmental society.

Holiness is what unifies all ethics in the Old Testament.

Israel's treatment of the king, of women, of slaves and of the poor set Israel apart from the rest of the ancient Near East.

Obedience to the law was seen as loyalty to God.

During the sabbatical year a field was rested to follow the ethics of God.

New Testament ethics are not as emphatic on institutional morality and social ethics. The New Testament emphasis is on a morality for the Church.

New Testament ethics is dominated by a deontological system which states that actions, character and intentions are inherently right or wrong.

Jesus did not condemn the ethics of the Old Testament, only the interpretation of them by the Pharisees.

The ethics of the New Testament come shortly after the good news of Jesus Christ.

Love is the key theme of the New Testament ethic.