Keywords
ethics, Bible, Christian ethicists, interpretation, methodology
Abstract
Various Christian ethicists commented on a disconnection of Christian ethics from the Bible in the 1960s and 70s. Although this tendency is thought to have been remedied, this paper argues otherwise. The distance and detachment of Christian ethics from the Bible continues. The contention is demonstrated from examining Christian ethics’ books published from 2001-2011, plus two influential works from the 90s — Hays, and Peschke. Their separation from the Bible is indicated by their selective analysis of the biblical text, by their ‘plain reading’ interpretation, by their placing more weight on Christian tradition than the Bible, by not relying on the biblical text for developing ethics, and by not showing how biblical ethical guidelines relate to modern life. Exceptions to these generalizations are noted. Suggestions based on the Pontifical Biblical Commission are offered for how these limitations might be addressed.
Recommended Citation
Beed, Clive and Beed, Cara
(2014)
"Using the Bible in Christian Ethics,"
Journal of Religion and Business Ethics: Vol. 3, Article 14.
Available at:
https://via.library.depaul.edu/jrbe/vol3/iss1/14