Questions for Discussion
1. What are the main differences between personal ethics and social ethics? In what ways do they overlap?
2. Why is a solid foundation in biblical doctrine crucial for a discussion of personal ethics? What can happen to ethics if this foundation is not laid?
3. How does each of the six crucial doctrines mentioned in the article affect Christian personal ethics?
4. If, as Kantzer states, the Christian conscience is ultimately to be bound only by God, in what sense is the Christian bound to recognize the legitimate authority of others—especially of his parents and of his government?
5. How does sin affect the human intellect? How does it affect the human conscience? How does the Holy Spirit use human conscience? Why do people have different standards of morals?
6. Discuss this definition of love: Love is a sacrificial desire to give oneself to another. Do you agree that love is the key to the application of biblical ethics? Why or why not?
7. Of the ten perversions or misinterpretations of biblical personal ethics, which has affected your church or Christian community most? What positive steps can be taken to guard against this and other departures from true ethics?
8. In light of the seven common objections to biblical ethics, what steps can a Christian take to ensure that their witness in the world is positive?
