In a world where the political and social divide between ‘conservative’ and ‘progressive’ is ever widening, the question as to ‘what is moral’ is becoming increasingly clouded. So how does one determine what a moral life looks like?
One principle is what’s called ‘virtue ethics’, which says an action is right or wrong based on the motivation or character of the person. The problem with virtue ethics is it’s non-relational. A genuinely nice person, acting with good intentions, can still do enormous harm.
A second principle is ‘consequentialism’, which measures morality based on outcome (i.e. does it do more good than harm). This principle has led to many an atrocity.
The principle Christians generally prefer is ‘deontology’. This principle identifies the rules that should be obeyed in order to form a well-functioning society. The obvious benefit for Christians is that the Bible outlines God’s rules for us. Simple right?
While deontology has it’s merits, the Bible rejects it (along with virtue and consequentialism). In his letter to Philemon, the Apostle Paul says:
Philemon 8-9 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.
To determine what is good and right and moral according to the Bible, we simply need to ask ‘what is best for the other?’ A moral life is an ‘other-person-centred’ life, in which everything stems from a deep desire to love the other.
This is actually how God has related to himself (Father, Son and Spirit) for all eternity. All 3 persons of the Godhead are in a loving, other-person-centred relationship with each other. So to act out of love is to act according to how God acts. So may we lead a moral life, by ensuring everything we do is done ‘on the basis of love’.
