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SITUATION ETHICS

SITUATION ETHICS. Does the Bible support the idea of situaiton ethics?. 3 Schools of Thought. Nihilism – There is no God . Anything you want to do is permitted . There are no rules . Relativism – All conduct is relative to the circumstance . Each individual must decide .

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SITUATION ETHICS

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  1. SITUATION ETHICS Does the Bible support the idea ofsituaiton ethics?

  2. 3 Schools of Thought • Nihilism – There is no God.Anythingyouwant to do ispermitted. There are no rules. • Relativism – All conductis relative to the circumstance. Eachindividual must decide. • Absolutism – There is an absolute, objective standard of right and wrong.

  3. 2 Catagories • Atheisticsituationists – thosewhototallyrejectScripture as being an authority for our moral code • Religioussituationists– includesthosewho claim the Bible teaches and endorses situation ethics

  4. Atheistic situationists • HumanistManitfestos I & II – « Weaffirmthat moral values derivetheir source fromhumanexperience. Ethicsisautonomous and situational, needing no theological or ideological sanction. » • In thisview – There isnever a situation in which man could do wrong.

  5. Religious situationists • Joseph Fletcher, in 1966 claimedthat situation ethicsis a balance betweenantinomianism (no law) and legalism (bound by law). • He taughtthat « love » is the sole factor in making moral judgments.

  6. Religious situationists • Problemswiththisview • Self-contradictory– No rules. Under no law. No absolutes. But the law of love isabsolute. • Subjective – I decidewhatisloving and for whomitisloving. • Flawed – Imagine playing a football game – onlyruleis « fairness. »

  7. Is Situational Ethics Biblical? • Some claim that the Bible endorses and supports thisview. • Twoexamples are given in an attempt to show this. • Rahab lied to protect the spies • David atefrom the table of shewbread

  8. Is Situational Ethics Biblical? • Rahab lied to protect the spies • Recording the eventdoes not meanthatGodapproved • Lyingiscondemned (Revelation 21:8) • Sheishonored for her FAITH, not herlying. (Hebrews 11:31) • Nowheredoes the Bible approveher false story.

  9. Is Situational Ethics Biblical? • 3 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Matthew 12:3-4

  10. Is Situational Ethics Biblical? Hereis the argument of Jesus: • You revere David as a greatking • David clearlybroke the law • Yet, younevercondemnhim • My disciples have onlyviolatedyourhuman traditions and you charge themwith sin. • How inconsistent!

  11. Is Situational Ethics Biblical? • Both of theseexamplesfail to show thatGodapproves of theirunlawful actions. • Thosewhoattempt to employthis narrative in defense of situationismsimply have missed the force of the Master’s argument. 

  12. Conclusion • Situation Ethicsis a popularbelief in a world rejectingGod • The Bible does not approvethis concept • God has revealed to us whatis best for us. • Our challenge is to obeyGod. • Follow the moral code of conduct in the Bible.

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