Eth/REply

Thread 1

Promise keeping is directly connected to the study of ethics and is morally important in the day to day lives of individuals. People are constantly making promises to other individuals, groups of citizens, and to God as well. Whether it be something as small swearing to bring coffee for someone, or as big as standing before a congregation and God to pledge vows in a marriage ceremony, promises are found all throughout one’s life. Therefore, understanding their significance is crucial in living a moral life as a believer in Christ. Jesus constantly made promises to people and His Father in heaven during His time on earth. Throughout Scripture one thing is very clear, Jesus was always faithful. He never committed to doing something that he would then later go back on.

Because Scripture has clearly shown the importance of keeping promises made, I believe that breaking one is morally wrong. Matthew 5:37 states, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Therefore, if a person claims that he is going to do or not do something, then Scripturally he is bound to his word. Anything less would be breaking this spoken promise, making him a liar by default. God has clearly told believers that what they say should either be “Yes or No,” meaning they should stick with what they say. However, imagine that a person commits to do something for someone without all of the information. After discovering what the promise is in detail, he realizes that what he has vowed to do is actually immoral and goes against Scripture. Now which option is the moral one? Should he carry out the task that he already gave his word on or should he tell the person that he cannot fulfill his promise anymore due to the circumstances?

            As a result of both of these arguments, I believe Scripture has made it clear that keeping a promise is morally correct. One should strive to live truthfully by his word just as Jesus demonstrated in every area of His life. However, if a promise is in direct contradiction with Scripture, then that person may have to break that specific promise. Thankfully, with whatever decision is made, Jesus has already shown grace. He did that when he died on the cross for sinners. Because of this, believers can pursue holiness while living under the power of grace. With that being said, each individual should be smart when making promises. They should understand exactly the weight of what they are agreeing to before saying yes, realizing that they do not know the outcome.

            Going off this last point, I believe sometimes it is morally obligatory to break a promise. Imagine a woman is on her way to an overdue promised dinner with a friend that she had not seen in a while. However, after leaving her house she witnesses a fatal car accident right in front of her car. Does she stop to call an ambulance and help, or keep driving in order to keep her promise? Most people would agree that morally speaking, it would be correct to stop and see who is hurt rather than continue on to dinner. Because of this, it appears there are times when it is necessary to break a promise. However, this still does not lay aside the textbook words that “It is unethical to promise and fail to deliver.” [1]  This is a true statement still. Despite it all, one thing is certain: God’s grace triumphs over anything. This is never an excuse, but rather a beautiful blessing.

 

[1]  Stivers, Laura A., Christine E. Gudorf, and James B. Martin-Schramm. n.d. “Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach” 4th Edition.

Thread 2 –

A promise is sacred and is defined as “a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc.” [1]  When a promise is made, one is verbally assuring someone that he or she will do a certain task or fulfill a certain request.  So, why is it morally important to keep a promise? In order to answer this question, one must first understand what makes any principle moral. In order for something to be morally correct it must be objective with generalized validity and rational intelligibility. Therefore, it is reflected that being truthful is moral, as it is a general and rationally accepted standard. [2]  Since promise keeping is equated to being truthful, keeping a promise is a moral obligation. From a Christian perspective one is morally obligated to keep his or her word because it is a commandment of God: “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: if a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds from his mouth.” [3]  Thus, it is evident that it is not only a moral obligation between individuals to be true to one’s word, but a person is also under the command of God.

Considering promise keeping is a deeply important principle of moral conduct, it is necessary to beg the question of whether it is morally permissible to break a promise?  As mentioned above, a promise is a morally binding word that has been given to someone regarding a specific task. To fail to keep a promise is essentially telling a lie and invites distrust into the relationship. From a Christian perspective, distrust enters the earthly relationship but disobedience becomes a part of the relationship with God.  In Exodus 20:2-17, the Ten Commandments clearly states that it is a sin to lie. Therefore, when a promise is broken it is more than just not following through on one’s word, it is a sin against God. [4]

Nevertheless, there are extraordinary circumstances when there exists a moral obligation to break a promise. One such example is if keeping a promise places one’s own or someone else’s life in danger. One cannot, in good conscience, keep a promise that knowingly places someone’s life in harm’s way. Another example of a moral obligation to break a promise is if it causes us to disobey God.  A common occurrence of such a moral obligation throughout history has been noted when leaders require people to follow acts that are in rebellion to the Word of God. The Bible calls for honor and obedience to leaders and one may promise to follow a certain leader, however, if that leader is killing Jews in the Holocaust or condoning the murder of unborn children, their actions are breaking commandments set by God.  As God’s commandments supersede all other earthly leaders, it becomes a moral obligation to break the oath to follow that person. It is important to remember that, when making a promise, one is asserting that he or she knows how the future is going to play out.  On account that there is only one person who truly knows the future, one has to be truly careful what promises he or she makes and to whom the promise is made. As a result, promise making and keeping becomes difficult and weighty situation. [5]

[1]  Dictionary.com, “promise,” Accessed November 4, 2019, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/promise

[2]  Schramm, James Martin, B., Stivers, Laura A., Gudorf, Christine E., Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach, (Maryknoll, NY, Orbis Books).

[3]  Num. 30:1-5

[4]  Ibid., part I

[5]  Ibid., part I