Worldview and EthicsWorldview and Ethics

DefinitionsDefinitions

• The Big PictureThe Big Picture

• The Power to Do What’s RightThe Power to Do What’s Right

What is Ethics?What is Ethics?

• The doctrines of morality or social mannersThe doctrines of morality or social manners

• The science of moral philosophy, which The science of moral philosophy, which teaches men their duty and the reasons of itteaches men their duty and the reasons of it

• A system of rules for regulating the actions A system of rules for regulating the actions and manners of men in societyand manners of men in society

Definitions from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

What is morality?What is morality?

• Definition (Webster): duties of men in their Definition (Webster): duties of men in their social character; virtue; the quality of an social character; virtue; the quality of an action which renders it goodaction which renders it good

• Morality is not a concept in a vacuumMorality is not a concept in a vacuum

• Morality is part of a bigger pictureMorality is part of a bigger picture

• Morality is the outworking of our Morality is the outworking of our worldview.worldview.

What is a Worldview?What is a Worldview?

Paradigm: lenses to view the dataParadigm: lenses to view the data Everyone has a worldview.Everyone has a worldview. It is the way you look at the world It is the way you look at the world

(weltanschauung).(weltanschauung). A philosophical framework for filtering and A philosophical framework for filtering and

categorizing data and experiences.categorizing data and experiences. Defines the nature of reality according to that Defines the nature of reality according to that

person.person. First principles.First principles.

Three Basic WorldviewsThree Basic Worldviews

TheismTheism

NaturalismNaturalism

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

Worldview leads to MoralityWorldview leads to Morality

• Cause -> EffectCause -> Effect

• Belief -> ActionsBelief -> Actions

• Paradigm -> BehaviorParadigm -> Behavior

• Worldview -> Morality and EthicsWorldview -> Morality and Ethics

TheismTheism

There is a GodThere is a God

There is natureThere is nature

The two are separate The two are separate and distinct, and both and distinct, and both are realare real

NaturalismNaturalism

There is no GodThere is no God

There is only natureThere is only nature

God is an illusionGod is an illusion

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

There is only GodThere is only God

There is no natureThere is no nature

Nature is an illusionNature is an illusion

Grand Metaphysical StoriesGrand Metaphysical Stories

TheismTheism Creation - God made nature out of nothingCreation - God made nature out of nothing

NaturalismNaturalism Evolution - Nature made itself out of nothingEvolution - Nature made itself out of nothing

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism Reincarnation - God made nothing - nature is an illusion Reincarnation - God made nothing - nature is an illusion

- all are part of God- all are part of God

Morality and Christian TheismMorality and Christian Theism

• God is realGod is real

• He is the source of moralityHe is the source of morality

• God is morally perfect – He is the standardGod is morally perfect – He is the standard

• Morality is objectively realMorality is objectively real

• He instilled a moral sense in each of usHe instilled a moral sense in each of us

• We are not morally perfect – we sinWe are not morally perfect – we sin

• Love and self-sacrifice are central ethicsLove and self-sacrifice are central ethics

Morality and NaturalismMorality and Naturalism

• Nature is realNature is real• Individuals are the source of moralityIndividuals are the source of morality• There is no moral perfection – we are our own There is no moral perfection – we are our own

standardstandard• Morality is subjective convention at best and Morality is subjective convention at best and

illusory at worstillusory at worst• Moral sense is a product of society and educationMoral sense is a product of society and education• Survival and self-interest are central ethicsSurvival and self-interest are central ethics

Morality and TranscendentalismMorality and Transcendentalism

• God is real, but an impersonal force.God is real, but an impersonal force.• We as divine beings are the source of morality – if it feels We as divine beings are the source of morality – if it feels

right to you then it is right.right to you then it is right.• We are our own moral standard – external authority limits We are our own moral standard – external authority limits

enlightenment, saps personal power, and denies our godhood.enlightenment, saps personal power, and denies our godhood.• Morality is related to our karma.Morality is related to our karma.• Moral sense is a product of our experience over various Moral sense is a product of our experience over various

lifetimes. What appears to be evil in this life may be the lifetimes. What appears to be evil in this life may be the opposite in another incarnation.opposite in another incarnation.

• We are morally perfect, because everyone acts morally. We We are morally perfect, because everyone acts morally. We are all seeking our shortest path to the Divine.are all seeking our shortest path to the Divine.

• ““Do what you will” is the central ethic. There is no right and Do what you will” is the central ethic. There is no right and wrong.wrong.

Good and WorldviewGood and Worldview

• Transcendentalism – good and evil are Transcendentalism – good and evil are opposites of the same coin, illusoryopposites of the same coin, illusory

• Naturalism – individually determined, Naturalism – individually determined, illusoryillusory

Good and WorldviewGood and Worldview

• Christian Theism – good is a real property, Christian Theism – good is a real property, because God is good. Evil is a privation of because God is good. Evil is a privation of the good. God is not evil, nor originated the good. God is not evil, nor originated evil in the worldevil in the world

• Physical analogiesPhysical analogies• Light and darkLight and dark• Heat and coldHeat and cold

What is Man?What is Man?

• Man in the generic sense.Man in the generic sense.

• Are humans inherently good or evil?Are humans inherently good or evil?• Transcendentalists – meaningless questionTranscendentalists – meaningless question• Naturalists – meaningless questionNaturalists – meaningless question• Theists – a very important questionTheists – a very important question

Theistic Views of ManTheistic Views of Man

• Classic liberalismClassic liberalism• Man is inherently goodMan is inherently good• Any vestige of evil is due to:Any vestige of evil is due to:

• Bad socializationBad socialization

• Bad socio-economic conditionsBad socio-economic conditions

• Bad education Bad education

• Remove these and man will naturally do good.Remove these and man will naturally do good.• This view can be found in Christian circles not This view can be found in Christian circles not

only by theological liberals, but also only by theological liberals, but also Methodists and Neo-Orthodox.Methodists and Neo-Orthodox.

Theistic Views of ManTheistic Views of Man

• Calvinism Calvinism • Man inherently evilMan inherently evil• Man is completely fallen, including God’s Man is completely fallen, including God’s

image.image.• He is so fallen that he is incapable of goodHe is so fallen that he is incapable of good

Theistic Views of ManTheistic Views of Man

• Biblical view Biblical view • Man is inherently both good and evilMan is inherently both good and evil• He is fallen, but still in the image of God; He is fallen, but still in the image of God;

tainted by sintainted by sin• He is capable of good and evil, but has a He is capable of good and evil, but has a

tendency toward evil.tendency toward evil.• He is like an onionHe is like an onion

The Power to Do What’s RightThe Power to Do What’s Right

We Know What Is RightWe Know What Is Right

• We know what is rightWe know what is right

• We don’t always do what is rightWe don’t always do what is right

• This is the human dilemmaThis is the human dilemma

The Human DilemmaThe Human Dilemma

• St. Paul reflected the human dilemma wellSt. Paul reflected the human dilemma well

““In fact, I don’t understand why I act the way I In fact, I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do what I know is right. I do the do. I don’t do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. . .What a miserable person I am. things I hate. . .What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? Thank God! Jesus Christ will doomed to die? Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me” Romans 7rescue me” Romans 7

The Difference The Difference

• All great religions teach moral codesAll great religions teach moral codes

• Why is being a follower of Jesus Christ any Why is being a follower of Jesus Christ any different than being Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, different than being Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist?or Buddhist?• Following Jesus Christ is more than religionFollowing Jesus Christ is more than religion• Following Jesus Christ is a relationshipFollowing Jesus Christ is a relationship• He gives His followers power to liveHe gives His followers power to live

Moral Facts About Jesus ChristMoral Facts About Jesus Christ

• He proposed the highest moral teaching of He proposed the highest moral teaching of anyone in history.anyone in history.

• He actually lived his moral philosophy.He actually lived his moral philosophy.

• How could he do it?How could he do it?• Jesus was the Creator God of the Universe who Jesus was the Creator God of the Universe who

took on human form to visit us.took on human form to visit us.• Since God is morally perfect, Jesus lived a Since God is morally perfect, Jesus lived a

morally perfect life.morally perfect life.• Consequently, he knows how to live rightly.Consequently, he knows how to live rightly.

Moral Facts About Jesus ChristMoral Facts About Jesus Christ

• Jesus told his disciples that it is to their advantage Jesus told his disciples that it is to their advantage that he leave them.that he leave them.• The perfect, all-loving, all-powerful God of the The perfect, all-loving, all-powerful God of the

Universe was localized in a body, so was restricted by Universe was localized in a body, so was restricted by that body.that body.

• Once unembodied God promised he would return to his Once unembodied God promised he would return to his children by his Holy Spirit to:children by his Holy Spirit to:

• Comfort themComfort them

• Teach themTeach them

• Never leave them or forsake themNever leave them or forsake them

• The God of the Universe would take up residence in The God of the Universe would take up residence in them.them.

The DifferenceThe Difference

• The perfect, all-loving, all-powerful God of the The perfect, all-loving, all-powerful God of the Universe lives in each of his children.Universe lives in each of his children.

• He does not force his way on us, but if we He does not force his way on us, but if we willingly allow him to live his life through us we willingly allow him to live his life through us we can live as we ought to live. He knows how to can live as we ought to live. He knows how to live up to his own standard. live up to his own standard.

• Only God’s children have God’s Spirit in them, Only God’s children have God’s Spirit in them, but anyone can be God’s child if they want to be. but anyone can be God’s child if they want to be.

Living By His SpiritLiving By His Spirit

““You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God’s Spirit, who lives in you. People who don’t God’s Spirit, who lives in you. People who don’t have the Spirit of Christ in them don’t belong to have the Spirit of Christ in them don’t belong to him. But Christ lives in you. So you are alive him. But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. . .My dear bodies must die because of your sins. . .My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say “No” to your desires. help of God’s Spirit you say “No” to your desires. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children” (Romans 8:9, 10, 12-14). his children” (Romans 8:9, 10, 12-14).

Why So Much Scandal (Revisited)?Why So Much Scandal (Revisited)?

• Two reasons that America has such moral Two reasons that America has such moral problemsproblems• Christians are ignorant of the power of God Christians are ignorant of the power of God

within them.within them.• Too many people think they are Christians, but Too many people think they are Christians, but

have, in fact, embraced a caricature of have, in fact, embraced a caricature of Christianity.Christianity.

• Religion does not make one a ChristianReligion does not make one a Christian• Relationship doesRelationship does

My StoryMy Story

• I grew up in a Lutheran family, but this did I grew up in a Lutheran family, but this did not make me a true follower of Jesus Christ.not make me a true follower of Jesus Christ.

• During my senior year in high school a During my senior year in high school a friend of mine explained to me:friend of mine explained to me:• How I could have my sins forgivenHow I could have my sins forgiven• Have fellowship with God directly and Have fellowship with God directly and

personallypersonally• Have power to live as Christ livedHave power to live as Christ lived• Have a home in heaven when I diedHave a home in heaven when I died

My StoryMy Story

• I wanted that, and on June 30, 1980 I began I wanted that, and on June 30, 1980 I began my relationship with Jesus Christ.my relationship with Jesus Christ.

• This is a revolutionary conceptThis is a revolutionary conceptJesus said “I tell you for certain that before you Jesus said “I tell you for certain that before you can get into God’s kingdom, you must be born can get into God’s kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God” (John 3:5, can change you into a child of God” (John 3:5, 6). 6).

My StoryMy Story

• My life has been an adventure ever since.My life has been an adventure ever since.

• I am not perfect, but He who lives through I am not perfect, but He who lives through me is. This is the foundation for morality. me is. This is the foundation for morality. If I allow Jesus to live His perfect moral life If I allow Jesus to live His perfect moral life through me I will do what I would not through me I will do what I would not naturally do: live rightly. naturally do: live rightly.

ConclusionConclusion

• Every great teacher and every institution Every great teacher and every institution teaches on four main points:teaches on four main points:• What is knowledge?What is knowledge?• What is the nature of reality?What is the nature of reality?• Who is well off?Who is well off?• Who’s a really good person?Who’s a really good person?

ConclusionConclusion

• Jesus has the most defensible answers to all these Jesus has the most defensible answers to all these questions.questions.

• He has them in a form that constitutes knowledge. He has them in a form that constitutes knowledge. He has brought them into the world, and we have He has brought them into the world, and we have the opportunity of representing them.the opportunity of representing them.

• The Old Rugged Cross is where the best heart in The Old Rugged Cross is where the best heart in the universe revealed itself, and invited everyone to the universe revealed itself, and invited everyone to step in. There is nothing you are going to hear step in. There is nothing you are going to hear anywhere that comes remotely close to that.anywhere that comes remotely close to that.

• Where else can you have the power to live as you Where else can you have the power to live as you know you ought to live?know you ought to live?