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In light of a Christian worldview, I would subscribe to Graded Absolutism. While there
are several reasons why I would choose this ethical system, they all revolve around one fact, all
of the precepts of Graded Absolutism are supported by the Bible. One principle is that Graded
Absolutism acknowledges that there is a set of moral laws that humanity is commanded to follow
by God. That being said, Graded Absolutism also admits that sometimes, one may be confronted
with situations in which a person must decide what the ‘best’ decision is based on conflicting
moral laws. The ‘goal’ is that the choice that the individual makes will follow the moral high
road, and merely disobey the ‘lower’ moral law. (Geisler, 2010)
This crucial method of thinking is Biblically supported in several different places. One
example of this can be found in Matthew 22:36-39 which states, “Teacher, which is the greatest
commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (New International Version) Another
instance can be seen in 1 Corinthians 13:13 which says, “And now these three remain: faith,
hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (New International Version) Another ‘side’ of
Graded Absolutism is that it acknowledges that there will be unavoidable conflicts which we
must face in our lives. When these occur, we are commanded to take the action which holds the
smallest moral impact. This concept is also explored in the Scriptures. We all know that lying is
not considered to be a ‘good’ moral thing. That being said, in the book of Joshua, Rahab lied and
concealed God’s people when she was directly questioned regarding their location. (New
International Version) Another Biblical instance of moral choices can be found in the book of
Daniel. Titus 3:1 states, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good”. (New International Version) Yet in the story of
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Daniel and the Babylonian exile we read that Daniel did not do as he was ordered and abandon
his daily prayers, but that he “went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened
toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his
God, just as he had done before.” (New International Version) The third, and final, point of
Graded Absolutism is that God, in His infinite wisdom, does not punish those who ‘sin’ against
the ‘lower’ moral laws. (Biblical Situation Ethics or Graded Absolutism, n.d.). As is seen in the
examples of Rahab and Daniel, instead of punishing these transgressions God blesses His
‘disobedient’ children. Rahab’s case, not only was she absolved of all wrongdoing, but God
included her in the genealogy of Christ. That is quite an honor for a woman who was both a
prostitute and a liar. Daniel, on the other hand, was punished by his earthly superiors by being
thrown in the lion’s den. His devotion to God was rewarded not only through his ‘taming’ of the
lions, but also in his being blessed with the vision of the end time, as told in the book of
Revelation. (Smith, 2008)
References
Biblical Situation Ethics or Graded Absolutism. (n.d.). Retrieved from
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http://www.freedominchrist.net/sermons/divorce%20and%20remarriage/graded
%20absolutism.htm
Geisler, N. L. (2010). Christian ethics: Contemporary issues & options. Grand Rapids, Mich:
Baker Academic.
Smith, P. T. (2008). Exploring Christian ethics: Biblical foundations for morality. Trinity
Journal, 29(1), 170-172. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/212969704?
accountid=12085
