54197333 - Marelize D Kruger
CMM3703
ASSIGNMENT 1 - 867460
6 March 2017
Social
ethics &
Social
morality
, Table of contents:
1. Introduction....………………………………………….…3
2. Christian social ethics……………………………………..4
3. Social moral problems in Bible times and how these issues
were dealt with......……….………………………..………5
4. Development of the concept of “social ethics”...…………..7
5. What social ethics mean today……………….………...…8
Biblical morality
Solutions to contemporary moral problems
6. Conclusion…………………………………………..……9
7. Bibliography…………………………………………..…10
2
, 1.
The word “ethics” originates from the Greek word “ēthos” which refers to the set
of moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an
activity. It is also the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.
Ethics is a fundamental part of being human – it is a basic human need. It means
that we are fair and honest. It is important for many reasons, such as to satisfy
human needs, to create credibility, uniting people, improving decision making
and it is also important for long-term gains.
As Christians we have a set of principles derived from our faith by which we act.
We have certain standards by which we must conduct ourselves in any situation
we face in life. These principles or Christian ethics are referred to as social
morality.
For Paul Lehmann, the American theologian, there is a difference between
Christian ethics and what he calls the ethics of Christians: Christian ethics is an
intellectual discipline and the ethics of Christians are the tenets of the Christian
faith as they are lived out in practice (Lehmann 1963:23ff).
In this assignment, I will be taking a look at the Biblical foundation of Christian
Social Ethics, the social moral problems faced by people in Biblical times and
how Jesus, the Prophets, Apostles and Paul dealt with those problems. I will also
explain how the concept of social ethics developed in theological writings across
the centuries and what the term “social ethics” means today.
3
CMM3703
ASSIGNMENT 1 - 867460
6 March 2017
Social
ethics &
Social
morality
, Table of contents:
1. Introduction....………………………………………….…3
2. Christian social ethics……………………………………..4
3. Social moral problems in Bible times and how these issues
were dealt with......……….………………………..………5
4. Development of the concept of “social ethics”...…………..7
5. What social ethics mean today……………….………...…8
Biblical morality
Solutions to contemporary moral problems
6. Conclusion…………………………………………..……9
7. Bibliography…………………………………………..…10
2
, 1.
The word “ethics” originates from the Greek word “ēthos” which refers to the set
of moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an
activity. It is also the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.
Ethics is a fundamental part of being human – it is a basic human need. It means
that we are fair and honest. It is important for many reasons, such as to satisfy
human needs, to create credibility, uniting people, improving decision making
and it is also important for long-term gains.
As Christians we have a set of principles derived from our faith by which we act.
We have certain standards by which we must conduct ourselves in any situation
we face in life. These principles or Christian ethics are referred to as social
morality.
For Paul Lehmann, the American theologian, there is a difference between
Christian ethics and what he calls the ethics of Christians: Christian ethics is an
intellectual discipline and the ethics of Christians are the tenets of the Christian
faith as they are lived out in practice (Lehmann 1963:23ff).
In this assignment, I will be taking a look at the Biblical foundation of Christian
Social Ethics, the social moral problems faced by people in Biblical times and
how Jesus, the Prophets, Apostles and Paul dealt with those problems. I will also
explain how the concept of social ethics developed in theological writings across
the centuries and what the term “social ethics” means today.
3
