Biblical Texts

The different passages in the assigned Bible reading each display different forms of ethical arguments on how we should decide what is morally right. As each of them are in the Bible, any believer could be backed up in how they choose to make moral decisions. The articles gave us different ways to think about why we choose the ethical patterns we do, whether based on virtues, duties, or consequences.

In Matthew 5:17-48, virtue ethics are represented through the reasons behind our actions as humans. As explained in the article, Jesus taught us not to do wrong based on what was in our hearts. It seems to be a set of teachings that should guide us in what we should think about an action before doing it.

Exodus 20:1-17 reinforces duty-based ethics. The "external source of authority," as the article describes it, lays down rules and guidelines by which we should direct our lives. It is meant to instill a sense of obligation which we can use to judge our moral character and decisions. It reminds me of the common phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?" (although the passage took place before His birth.) If it's set for us in the Ten Commandments, we can remind ourselves of how to behave based on what God has commanded of us.

I find the difficulty of consequentialism for Biblical scholars particularly interesting. Although I've argued that consequentialism seems the most logical way to decide moral decisions, I myself tend to see things more black and white, based on a virtue ethics point of view. The way our online reading discussed Exodus 1:8-22 was especially enlightening to me. I've tended to be of the belief that the way you look at a situation can change whether one's actions were morally right. The Pharaoh would have seen the midwives' actions as wrong, because they disobeyed their external source of authority. A virtue-based ethics opinion could either see their lying as wrong, or their obedience to God as right. A consequentialist would see their actions as right because the end results justified the means of getting there.

Romans 7:14-25, finally, resonates with me the most, as I'm sure it does other readers. What the article described as the internal struggle of our own morality is something that each of us deal with. We long to lead upright lives, and are disappointed in ourselves when we do not live up to expectations, either set by us or by God. It's another interesting aspect to the moral debate when we think about how aware we are of our own limitations and downfalls.

The final article, "The Hebrew Women are not like the Egyptian Women," cast some light on the strength of the women in Exodus 1:8-22. Their fear and respect of God was greater than their fear and respect of the Pharaoh. They were brave in their actions and obedient to God, and for all of this they were rewarded. Although this passage can back up consequentialism, as I discussed above, it also shows that their personal motivations behind their actions was rooted in their hearts, and therefore also backs up virtue-based ethics.

The readings this week were particularly interesting in showing how different Bible passages make arguments for different classic categories of ethics. They each have their logic and foundations, and it definitely depends on each person and their situation in life to determine how they choose to decide what is morally right.