Download Ethics of the Decalogue

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*Exodus story tells of how the people of
Israel become God’s adopted sons and
daughters
*Their story is our story because we see
ourselves in continuity with the Jewish
people
*God recalls his covenant with Abraham
at the burning bush with Moses
*God has a special care for his
descendants
* Christian “ethics” refers to those moral norms that are
seen to be distinctive to Christianity.
* “Moral norms” are those guidelines that help the Christian
to reflect on his/her moral life and on what actions he/she
should take in certain situations.
* Christian
“ethical teachings” are based on the belief that
the human person is an image of God.
*
* Christian “morality” is based on many sources of
revelation, but particularly on key passages from the
Scriptures such as:
* The Decalogue or Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17 and
Deut 5 :6-21)
* The ‘Golden Rule’ (Mt 22: 37- 39)
* The Beatitudes (Mt 5-7)
* Actions based on love (1 Cor 13:1)
* Nature of the Final Judgement (Mt 25)
* Living a life of service (Lk 22: 26-27)
* Love one another as I have loved you (Jn 13:34)
*
* The Ten Commandments is also known as the “Decalogue”
(ten words from God)
* These ten short commandments or guidelines for living are
based on God’s direct revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai
in Israel ( Ex 20:2-17 and Deut 5: 6-21)
* Unlike other parts of the Jewish Scriptures, the Decalogue
Is the only text understood as being spoken directly by
God to the people of Israel and then written directly by
God’s hand on two stone tablets.
*-
*
* The first three commandments of the Decalogue refer to
the worship of God, while the rest refer to obligations to
one’s neighbour and society
* The Decalogue is introduced by God’s own words of
freedom:
* “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land
of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no
other gods before me (Ex 20:2)
* The Decalogue summed up the type of relationship that
Israel should have with God.
* For Christians observance of the Decalogue is based on
love not fear.
*
* The commandments should be viewed as life principles to
be internalised by the human heart – not avoided because
of perceived punishment and damnation by God.
* The practice of virtue is understood as more important
than the listing of sins.
* In the final analysis, the Decalogue is like a set of ten
boundary markers beyond which are sin, alienation,
unhappiness and death.
*
* The Decalogue is an important basis for structuring and
living the Christian life.
* It calls Christians back to loving God alone and loving their
neighbours as themselves.
*
* When the people of Israel strayed from keeping
their part of the agreement prophets were sent
to call them back… they called Israel’s
transgressions sin. (RIGHTEOUSNESS and
JUSTICE focus!)
* The dictionary defines sin as the breaking of
religious or moral law, especially through a
willful act.
* Sin is a violation of our relationship with God
or others. It is turning away from God.
* Different kinds of SIN?
*
SIN
SIN –
A sin is a break in our love relationship
with God
SIN OF COMMISION
Committing a sin ourselves.
Doing something that we know is
wrong, but we still continue to do it
PERSONAL SIN
OF
COMMISSION
When you
yourself – as an
individual – go
ahead and
commit a sin
(lying to your
parents about
where you were
the other night)
SOCIAL SIN OF
COMMISSION
When we act
collectively as a
group and
commit a sin –
something we
know is wrong,
but we still do it
(KKK, Nazi
Germany)
SIN OF OMISSION
Failing to act when we see a
sin occur or an injustice
taking place
PERSONAL
SIN OF
OMISSION
Where we as an
individual allow
others to do
wrong things
(Allow your
friend to steal
from another
friend and do
nothing about
it.)
SOCIAL SIN
OF OMISSION
As a group we
allow others to
do things that
are wrong and
possibly
detrimental to
society – no
anti-pollution
laws. This is
the worst kind
of sin.