3. Living: Christian moral principles

The diversity of ethics and practice, including those that shape and express religious identity, the role of the community of believers and key moral principles.

3.1 Content

• The diversity of Christian moral reasoning and practices and sources of ethics, including:
– the Bible as the only authority for Christian ethical practices
– Bible, Church and reason as the sources of Christian ethical practices
– love (agape) as the only Christian ethical principle which governs Christian practices

3.2 Knowledge

• as the Bible reveals God’s will, then only biblical ethical commands must be followed
• Christian ethics must be a combination of biblical teaching, Church teaching and human reason
• Jesus’ only command was to love and that human reason must decide how best to apply this

3.3 Issues as the basis of exam questions

Learners should have the opportunity to discuss issues related to diversity of Christian moral principles, including:
• whether or not Christian ethics are distinctive
• whether or not Christian ethics are personal or communal
• whether or not the principle of love is sufficient to live a good life
• whether or not the Bible is a comprehensive moral guide

3.4 Suggested scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority

Learners will be given credit for referring to any appropriate scholarly views, academic
approaches and sources of wisdom and authority, however the following examples may prove useful:
• Exodus 20:1–17
• 1 Corinthians 13:1–7
• Messer, N. (2006) SCM Study Guide to Christian Ethics, SCM Press