LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Assignment Title: Ethical Issues All Christians Should Know
Course: CHMN 699 - Internship
Student: Kristine Sage
Date: January 29, 2022
Professor: Dr. Joel Breidenbaugh
No Other Gods
We are always and everywhere in the presence of God, and he will tolerate no other small “gods”
at any place or any time in our lives. When societies ignore this first commandment, much evil follows.
Modern Christians need to be especially cautious of things that we can be tempted to love and serve
and trust more than God, such as money, material things, food and physical pleasure, the approval of
other people, power, or self.
No Carved Images
The second commandment prohibits making carved images to worship, but it does not prohibit all
visual arts. It prohibits all images of the true God, as well as images of false gods. Specifically with regard
to the Trinity, the commandment prohibits images and pictures of God the Father, but it does not
prohibit pictures of Jesus Christ, because he did live on earth as a man.
Purity of Speech
The third commandment prohibits foolish or worthless use of God’s name, as well as any false or
irreverent speech about God. In a broader sense this commandment warns us against not only (1) taking
God’s name in vain, but also against (2) cursing others who are made in the image of God. Yet another
category of speech includes (3) obscene or unclean language, in which it is important to recognize the
effect that using certain offensive words will have on our reputations as Christians.
It is morally acceptable for a Christian to portray a non-Christian in a movie or a theater production,
but even in that situation it would not be right to take God’s name in vain. Oaths and vows are
acceptable for Christians in many situations. The Bible views humor positively, but it also must be used
cautiously.
Lying and Telling the Truth
The ninth commandment (against bearing false witness) is considered here out of the normal
sequence because the topic is closely connected to purity of speech, and because the issues involved in
considering lying and truth telling are relevant for many other topics that follow.
The following definition of lying is used: Lying is affirming in speech or writing something you
believe to be false. Augustine, Calvin, and others have defined lying in a similar way. This specific
definition means that “lying” (as discussed in this chapter) does not include silence, nonverbal actions,
ironic statements, hyperbole, or unintentional falsehoods, and these are all topics which require
separate discussions. Numerous biblical statements condemn lying in the sense of verbally affirming a
falsehood. Imitating the character of God is the basis for not lying. Jesus never told a lie. The narrative
examples of lying in Scripture (such as Rahab in Jericho) do not overturn this conclusion. Lying
accompanies most other sins. It is morally acceptable for Christians to engage in spying and undercover
police work, with certain limitations. In most cases, it is right to respond quickly and truthfully to slander
rather than remaining silent. Plagiarism is another form of lying. Punctuality is a virtue.
The Sabbath Commandment
The Sabbath commandment is not morally binding on people today, because it has been
terminated along with the rest of the Mosaic covenant, and, unlike the other nine commandments, it is
never reaffirmed for Christians in the new covenant. The New Testament explicitly says that Christians
no longer must observe Sabbath days.
Nevertheless, it is wise for Christians to observe regular times of worship and prayer with other
believers, and it is also wise to have regular days of rest from our ordinary work, and to take longer
vacations from time to time. It is also a wise pattern for many businesses to remain closed on Sunday,
but governmental laws should allow considerable freedom in this area for individuals and businesses to
decide as they think best.
As an alternative to the viewpoint of this chapter, there is a long and highly respected tradition
within the Christian church that sees Sunday as the New Testament counterpart to the Old Testament
Sabbath day, and holds that Christians should treat Sunday much like the Old Testament believers
treated the Sabbath.
Authority of Parents
The command to honor one’s father and mother means to treat them with respect, deference, and
care, and also means that children should obey their parents, except when commanded to sin. Adult
children are no longer required to obey their parents, but must still honor them and care for them as
necessary and as they are able. The New Testament promises children God’s blessing on their lives in
response to their obedience to their parents (Eph. 6:1–3).
Parents should love their children, discipline them, be patient with them, and teach them.
Discipline of children can take many forms, including the wise use of spanking in certain circumstances,
but spanking should never result in actual physical harm to the child or in physical abuse. Secular
opposition to spanking opposes the explicit teaching of Scripture. Such opposition is not supported by
reliable studies. Actual physical abuse is already prohibited by law, and such laws are good and
necessary.
This chapter summarizes arguments given in favor of Christian parents sending their children to (1)
public schools, (2) Christian schools, and (3) homeschools. Each solution may be appropriate in different
situations with different children.
