Locke, Kenneth A. See all items with this value

2002

3

323-332

1530-4108 See all items with this value

This paper explores the foundations of Christian ethical life. It argues that Christians cannot escape from the need to make decisions in a morally ambiguous world. Neither the Bible, Church tradition, or centralized teaching authorities are able to supply all the rules and regulations to cover every possible situation. Sooner or later every Christian will find him or herself in a situation in which they must make their own free decision. This need to choose arises out of the Christian belief that they are called by God to grow spiritually and ethically. This would not be possible without the freedom of choice. It is through the constant dialectic of spirituality and ethics that Christians can come both to know God and the correct ethical path to take. Nevertheless, Christian ethics is also shaped by a belief in the inevitability of human failure and the need for divine forgiveness. It is belief in this forgiveness that enables Christians to continue their ethical quest even after devastating mistakes. The foundations of Christian ethics is an ongoing interaction between the duty to be moral, the search for God's guidance, and the awareness of forgiveness. The paper ends by indicating how this Christian perspective raises interesting questions for Buddhist-Christian dialogue.