Easter College

Teacher Education Department

Easter School Rd., Guisad Central, Baguio City

Module 2

For the subject

Christian Ethics
(C.E. 2)

Mid Terms

First Semester

A.Y. 2020-2021

Prepared By: Allan C. Balalao

Teacher
 Topic Coverage:
1. Brief History of Ethics
2. 3 Questions of Ethics and The Pursuit of Happiness
3. Biblical Ethics: The Decalogue

Time Frame: March 4 – April 3, 2021

Unit Objectives:
1. To name the consequences of Sin and what are the moral lessons we can derive from it.
2. To reflect on the three (3) basic questions of Ethics:
1.1. What is the highest good of man?
1.2. Why I am here on earth?
1. 3. What is the purpose of my life?
2. To re-read the Ten Commandments and retrieve its relevant insights that are useful in making
ethical decisions
3. To differentiate ethics from the lens of the different philosophies vs. Ethics from the lens of
the Judeo-Christian Tradition
4. To appreciate the relevance of being informed of Biblical ethical principles
5. To translate in their daily lives the basic moral teachings of the Bible implied in the Decalogue,
Jesus’ summary of the Law, and Sermon on the Mouth or the Be-attitudes.

Topic 5
The Three Basic Questions of Ethics

Learning Experiences:
To start our discussion on these topic, kindly answer the following
questions sincerely:

1. What is the highest good of man?

2. Why I am here on earth?
3. What is the purpose of my life?
Note:
*Use a separate paper for your answer.

Dr. Tardo argues that these three questions at the heart of every
philosophy, religion, and ethics. As a theologian and priest by profession, I
strongly agree with Dr. Tardo, and so with the other ethicists. Before we
discuss these three questions, it would be helpful to enumerate first the
following philosophies (ethics) which places a high influence on the views
and thinking of post-modern humanity, namely:

A. Hedonism = known as the ethic of pleasure

 Hedonism teaches the pursuit of happiness and pleasure is an end in itself and is man's chief end in
life.

2 Basic types:
1. Individualistic Hedonism: This is the pursuit of happiness and pleasure, most popular among
Americans. This type of ethic pertains to the individual's enjoyment of pleasure. The greatest amount of
pleasure is the end or goal of Individualistic Hedonism. It's the "think of myself" philosophy, i.e.,
whatever makes me happy. Man works to make money to buy pleasure.
Sadly, Individualistic Hedonism has now crept over into Christianity. Many have represented
Christianity as a cross-less Christianity. They make no mention of the crucified life, the call to faith and
the like. They preach such things as positive thinking, success, prosperity, and self-fulfilment.

So what is the answer to our question #1? According to Individualistic Hedonism, man’s highest
good is personal happiness at any cost.

2. Universal Hedonism or Utilitarianism: This philosophy is the same as Individualistic Hedonism but
universally applied. The founder was J.S. Mill who taught that those actions are right that make the most
people happy. The highest good in life is utility -- the end justifies the means. Under this philosophy one
could justify all kinds of sins such as lying, robbery, communism, socialism, etc. Example, "It's all right to
lie if by so doing you keep from hurting someone." Also, you could justify the Robin Hood robbery
method, i.e., stealing from the rich to give to the poor.

This philosophy has also crept into the church. For example, consider the unethical methods
often used to raise money; unscrupulous manipulation, give-to-get promises of riches, raffles, bingos,
etc. In other words, "if it works, if it raises money, then it's all right."

Biblical contradiction: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes
away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever. [1 John. 2:15-17]

B. Stoicism = Stoicism is the ethic of self-denial.

The highest good of man, they say, is self-denial, i.e., to be completely without passion or emotion,
unaffected by grief, pain, happiness or pleasure. Stoicism is to exist in a state of tranquillity and peace of
mind. The Stoics taught that the supreme evil was emotion, i.e., to have emotion was to be diseased.

The philosophy of Stoicism has also crept into Christianity and is an open door to self-
righteousness. In Roman Catholicism, Stoicism was adopted by the monastics in the third century. They
practiced self-flagellation, and all types of rigorous self-abuses.

Monasticism is based on two fallacies. (A fallacy means, “Mistake,” “error,” or “fault”)

1. There's a double standard for Christian morality. The only way to attain perfection was to enter a
monastery and devote one's life to prayer, fasting, and all types of self-denial so that one could achieve
that state where they were unaffected by emotion. They had another standard for the ordinary layman
and this is where the distinction between clergy and laity began. In the Bible, there is no such
distinction.
2. The second fallacy is that a life of extreme asceticism promotes righteous living. The history of the
monasteries is a sordid history. This is also the group that promoted the idea of celibacy. Celibacy is a
gift (Paul had it), but it is not a gift that everyone has. The general Biblical principle is that “It is not good
that the man should be alone (celibate), I will make him a help meet” (Gen.2:18).

The error in monasticism has been to flee the sinful world rather than go out into the world to
preach the gospel as our Lord said to do.

“A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do people light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but
on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before people,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. [Mat. 5:14-16]

C. The Ethic of Duty = this ethic is that man's chief end is to do his duty.
This is the philosophy of Emmanuel Kant (1724 - 1804), who has been called the greatest modern
philosopher. His philosophy can be summed up as "duty for duty's sake." He maintained that there is a
universal moral law in all men whom he called "the sense of aught" and this "sense of aught" that which
causes man to do his duty. He said that doing things out of duty is the highest moral law, that duty and
obligation are inseparable terms. Moral law is within us and we're obligated to do it.

On the surface, this seems to be correct, but it is not really in line with Christian ethics and
responsibility and often causes in man a false sense of responsibility. The "Ethic of Duty" is the ethic of
the social gospel movements. Kant believed that religion was of value only insofar as it caused one to
lead a good moral life. Liberal theologians such as Brunner and Brandt have been tremendously
influenced by Kant.

D. The Ethic of Self-Realization

This ethic teaches harmonious development of all of one's capacities and potentials. It encourages
development of the self-life, i.e., self-worth, self-esteem, etc. The ethic teaches that one becomes the
person he potentially is by coming to a position of self-realization.

The Bible however, teaches self-denial, humility, putting self to death. The ethic of Self-Realization can
be summed up as follows:
1. Live by the golden rule;
2. Have faith in yourself -- you can do it! Just develop a well-rounded personality.

Modern philosophy is a big proponent of this self-realization ethic. They maintain that the greatest evil
is a negative self-image. They teach that the individual is to look within, that the answer is within you.
Realize your own self-worth, etc. Proponents of this ethic of self-realization include Norman Vincent
Peale, Robert Schuller and many of the so called “prosperity preachers.”

D. The Ethic of Love = teaches that man's highest good is love

But let’s examine first what we mean by love. Read, 1 Corinthian 13 and reflect on what is love is in
the Bible. The Bible also teaches that we're to dwell together in unity and in truth. We are set apart or
consecrated through the truth (the Word). The unity system that promotes unity at all costs is a false
system.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. [John 17:17]
...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [John 14:6]
E. The Ethic of Power
 Frederick Nietzsche (1844-1900) taught this philosophy and it was the ethic adopted by Adolf Hitler.
Not only is this ethic wrong, but it was the justifying, underlying philosophy of tremendous evil.
Nietzsche promoted the glorification of brute strength. He maintained that power and will are the keys
to life and that war is a purifier of the human race. He called Christianity a slave morality. He said that
the virtues of cruelty, courage, and Stoicism would carry the new race through to the future. He
maintained that to be strong is to be right.

F. The Ethic of Intuition = this ethic promotes following the inner light. It is the ethic of the
Quakers.

G. The Ethic of Pessimism= The Ethic of Crisis

This is the ethic of Buddhism, i.e., the view that life is futile and reality is evil. It is the view of
gloom and doom. Buddha taught that all is suffering.

H. The Ethic of Marxism

This is the ethic of Karl Marx (1818-1883) of the communist ethic. Marx taught that the communist
state is the highest state and whatever furthers the goal of the communist state is right. Hatred of
religion and hatred of capitalism formed the communist ethic. K. Marx argues that, “religion is the
opium of the people.”

I. The Christian Ethic = ethics based on the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ

In summary, we are informed of the different philosophies and ethics

which have highly influence every generation’s views on what are duty,
pleasure, happiness, truth, love, and power, and so forth. I must say all of
these have contributed on how we perceive reality, and how we respond to it, in other words,
all of these forms of ethics or philosophy are helpful on how we think, act, and decide. The
Bible and Christianity on the one hand, offer us another way of looking at reality. The insights,
lessons, and stories we find in them will connect us to a better understanding of who we are as
people. When we read the Bible it will offer us a better understanding why we do service to
others, why we love, promote justice, unity, and peace; and also why we desire pleasure,
happiness, and love. And why we seek the truth? In response to our three questions above, the
Bible gives us a hint:

So, what is the highest good of man according to Jesus?

In the Gospel of Matthew 6: 33, it states that man should:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”

Therefore: From the Biblical perspective, the highest good of humanity is to seek first the kingdom of
God and all things (material and non-material, etc.) will be attained through God’s guidance and
abundance; and not from one’s own self-making or personal pursuit. Theologians have argued
throughout the centuries on what really is God doing in man’s life? The others argue that “God is the
prime-mover of everything,” “God is in-control” etc. In short, God has power and influence over how
humans think and act. After all God endued humanity with intelligence and wisdom to decide between
what is right from wrong, bad and good, what is acceptable and evil and so on. BUT the Bible is clear
however, that God did not create man like robots. God has given humanity the freewill to decide on
matters pertaining to his/her life. Of course, while humanity has that freedom to choose, he must also
be responsible for his actions or decisions. I asked you to read and reflect on Genesis 2-3, on the origin
of sin and judgement because I want you to have a better grasped of how decisions (right or wrong) can
impact one’s fate or life. God desires humans to be happy and enjoy life, to be in unity with others, and
enjoy his/her freedom. Evil, suffering, and unpeace occur because as explained by the narrative in
Genesis 3, man tends to choose the wrong way vs. the right way.

Reflection/ Performance Task:

“Watch the Movie “Pursuit of Happyness” (Starring Will Smith)

which can be accessed in You Tube, or other sources, then do the
following:

1. Enumerate the characters in the movie and identify their specific role/s
2. Summarize the movie (in your own words, do not copy-paste from the internet) in Ten
(10) sentences.
3. What type of hedonism ethic is portrayed in the movie, and why do you think so?
4. What lessons or insights have you learned from the movie? (one –two pages)

Grading Rubrics for all your writing assignments:

1. Grammar = 20 points (spelling, tenses of verbs, subject-verb agreement, readability of your
pen craft if you are not typing your essay )
2. Insightful Content = 30 points (state the main points, support your argument with other
references, and you may add theological/Biblical principles, and other ethical principles or
insights from the different form of ethics)
3. Coherence = 10 points (present your argument in a well ordered manner and do not
contradict yourself)
4. Following instructions = 10 (follow required numbers of pages, honour deadlines)
Total of 70 points
Note: If you turn-in/pass your paper after deadline, then expect a deduction of 5 points per
day. Please acknowledge your references and avoid “copy-paste” from the internet. You
should know by now that plagiarism is a crime; it is a form of stealing.