Christian Ethics

 

Christian Ethics – Living a Life That Is Pleasing to God by Wayne Grudem is an in-depth exploration answering the question, "What does the whole Bible teach us about which acts, attitudes, and personal character traits receive God's approval, and which do not?" The book is broken down into seven parts and forty-two chapters.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Protecting God's Honor

Part 3: Protecting Human Authority

Part 4: Protecting Human Life

Part 5: Protecting Marriage

Part 6: Protecting Property

Part 7: Protecting Purity of Heart

According to the author, studying ethical topics in a focused manner is more beneficial than simply reading through the Bible or studying individual passages. This book aims to improve understanding of ethics. Secondly, it transforms instinctive convictions into informed ethical convictions. As a third goal, the author aims to help Christians improve their ethical convictions from imprecise to accurate. Lastly, Christians with an incorrect understanding of biblical morals may learn to understand biblical ethical convictions.

In studying Christian ethics we should examine it with prayer, humility, reason, help from others, by collecting and understanding all relevant passages of scripture on a topic, and through rejoicing and praise. Studying ethics in parts allows for a structured and comprehensive understanding of complex moral principles. Breaking down ethical topics into manageable sections enables individuals to focus on specific areas, leading to deeper insights and more meaningful applications in daily life. Additionally, this methodical approach ensures that each aspect of ethical teaching is thoroughly explored and understood in the context of the broader biblical narrative.

Grudem states: "...the only satisfactory and ultimate basis for ethical standards is the eternal, unchanging moral character of God. Before anything else existed, God existed. He is."

There is no way to cover everything within this 1323 page book so I will highlight some of the subjects throughout the book.

Chapter 26 of the book asks, Why should we take care of our bodies? How should we think about sleep, vaccinations, organic foods, tattoos, and circumcision? Firstly, our bodies are not evil and are gifts from God. All changed as a result of the Fall. Death entered the world because of sin, but Christians have the joy of a resurrected body someday. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. As a result, we should care for our bodies and treat them as temples of the Holy Spirit. Every day, we should practice healthy habits, exercise, and sleep well. On vaccines the author says, "Vaccines are also part of 'nature' because they are made from products developed from nature. The whole world belongs to God, including all the ingredients for vaccines that he placed in the earth." I love what the author says about organic foods. Choice is up to each individual but it is not okay to "...assume that foods found in a 'natural state' unaffected by fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or genetic modifications, are more spiritual, more Christian, or more pleasing to God than foods that have been modified with modern agricultural research tools and methods." The only thing that I will say about circumcision is that it is no longer commanded by the New Covenant. You will find questions for personal application at the end of each chapter. There will be a list of any specific terms used within the chapter. The chapter concludes with a bibliography, other works, a literary memory passage, and a hymn.

The book also covers topics such as homosexuality and transgenderism, capital punishment, leadership in marriage, war, aging and death, alcohol and drugs, and poverty and wealth.

In terms of Christian ethics, this book is highly recommended for all Christians who are striving to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The Pilgrim's Progress

Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" tells the story of Christian, a pilgrim, and his journey to find salvation and the Celestial City. The journey of Christian begins in the City of Destruction, where he encounters many obstacles and people who are determined to lead him astray. Once Christian's journey begins, he will face challenges and individual enemies. They represent the many temptations that Christian must overcome. Each obstacle and character he encounters symbolizes spiritual struggles. For instance, the Slough of Despond represents the despair and doubt that can bog down one's faith. Characters like Faithful and Hopeful embody virtues that support and encourage perseverance. Likewise, Evangelist and Goodwill play pivotal roles in guiding Christian along his journey. Evangelist provides direction and encouragement, helping Christian to stay on the righteous path despite the many challenges he faces. Goodwill, on the other hand, offers protection and reassurance, reminding Christian of the importance of remaining steadfast in his quest for salvation. Through these allegorical elements, Bunyan illustrates the moral and spiritual trials of a Christian life, ultimately guiding readers toward enlightenment and redemption. Each obstacle and enemy Christian encounters symbolizes a specific sin or moral challenge that believers face in their own spiritual journeys. For instance, the Slough of Despond represents the feelings of despair and doubt that can weigh down a person’s faith. Similarly, Vanity Fair illustrates the distractions and temptations of worldly pleasures that can lead one away from the path of righteousness. As Christian progresses on his journey, he undergoes a profound transformation, shedding the burdens of sin and gaining spiritual insight. Through each trial, he learns valuable lessons about faith, perseverance, and the power of redemption. By the time he reaches the Celestial City, Christian emerges as a stronger, more enlightened individual, having overcome his weaknesses and deepened his relationship with God. Upon reaching the Celestial City, Christian experiences a profound sense of fulfillment and peace, having finally achieved his long-sought-after salvation. His burdens are completely lifted, and he is welcomed with open arms, signifying his triumph over sin and his unwavering faith. This ultimate transformation marks the culmination of his spiritual journey, where he is embraced by divine grace and eternal bliss.

This book features amazing artwork by Mike Wimmer. Wimmer's illustrations bring the story to life by vividly depicting the characters and settings, allowing readers to visualize Christian's journey with greater clarity and depth. The artwork adds an emotional layer to the narrative, highlighting the intensity of Christian's struggles and the beauty of his triumphs. Through detailed and expressive imagery, Wimmer enhances the reader's connection to the story, making the allegorical elements more impactful and memorable.

The Garden and the Glen

 

A beautiful story about finding a solution to a problem can be found in The Garden and the Glen. A buckeye tree stands on a farm with yellow flowers that bloom in spring. A buckeye tree is home to hundreds of yellow butterflies. A selfish yellow butterfly wants to take over the Queen's kingdom when she becomes sick, and turn everything yellow. Everything other than yellow was evicted from the beautiful garden. There was a brilliant blue butterfly who was forced out of the garden. As she flew, she came to a clearing with a pond. Fish, frogs, a bunny, a squirrel, a family of deer, and some beautiful orange daylilies were all there. Each of them described being forced out of the garden as well. Blue butterfly studied her friends. Each of them stood out because of their colors, shapes, and sizes. This is what makes them all unique. The story highlights the importance of diversity by showing how each creature's unique characteristics contribute to the beauty and richness of the world around them. When the garden is dominated by a single color, its vibrancy is lost, underscoring that true beauty lies in the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. By embracing diversity, the characters learn that their differences are strengths that can create a harmonious and thriving environment. It was their differences that made them beautiful. "We belong! We don't have to blend in to belong." You are now able to reach beyond yourself and help your friends, despite your differences. That's what makes belonging so special. In order to cope with fear, we hide or try to blend in. It means you do not need to change; you are accepted and welcome as you are. Empathy plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging among the diverse characters in the story. By understanding and appreciating each other's unique experiences and perspectives, the characters are able to connect on a deeper level, despite their differences. This mutual understanding allows them to build a community where everyone feels valued and accepted, reinforcing the idea that empathy is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Whenever you belong, you are never alone. There is an urgent need for the Queen to find the healing flower. The Queen was loved by the flower kingdom. As a result, they decided to help. In order to release the medicine flower's scent, the snapdragons told the daisies, the daisies told the buttercups, and the buttercups told the roses. When the blue butterfly fluttered her wings, the Queen interpreted this as a signal to come. The Queen confronted the evil yellow butterfly and forced him out of the garden for good. The daylily who befriended and protected the blue butterfly was the flower of healing. As a result of the Queen's healing, harmony in the garden was restored. It was through communication, friendship, and healing that the garden was saved and peace was restored.

 

Gaylord Ice

 

Sisters

 

Jane Austen's Bookself

Jane Austen's Bookself is a very informative read. "Austen's canonical status is so unassailable that she's not just included in the great novelists: she tops it." Austen's bookself included authors such as Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Hannah More, Charlotte Smith, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth. The majority of Austen's reading and writing took place during a period when women published more novels than men. These authors are part of what is called the "Great Forgetting". The "Great Forgetting" refers to the historical oversight and marginalization of these women writers who were once popular and influential in their time. Despite their significant contributions to literature, their works were largely ignored or forgotten as literary canons were established, often favoring male authors. This has led to a lack of recognition for their impact on the literary landscape of the period. In her writing, Austen drew inspiration from these female writers. As a list, the "classics" constitute the canon. Male authors have traditionally dominated literary canons, often receiving more critical attention and scholarly analysis than their female counterparts. While female authors like Austen have achieved recognition, many others remain overlooked despite their significant contributions to the literary world. This disparity highlights the ongoing need to reevaluate and expand the canon to include diverse voices and perspectives from both genders.The influence of these female writers is evident in Austen's nuanced exploration of social norms, gender roles, and domestic life. Their works provided her with a rich tapestry of themes and narrative techniques, which she adeptly wove into her own novels. By building on their foundations, Austen was able to critique and satirize the society of her time with a sharpness and wit that has secured her lasting legacy.

The book discusses the following authors and how they contributed to Austen's writings.

Jane Austen
Frances Burney
Ann Radcliffe
Charlotte Lennox
Hannah More
Charlotte Smith
Elizabeth Inchbald
Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi
Maria Edgeworth