Christian morals

[solarwave]

Now you have spoken. where else(beside the Gospels) should a Christian look at to base his or her morals on?

Obviously we get some of our morality from the Bible, mostly the New Testament teachings of Jesus.

Some Christians may get their morality from tradition.

We can also get moral teachings by using reasoned arguments. For example taking foundational morality in the Bible or morality that is common to all people and applying reason to it to try to come to a new understanding of right and wrong.

 

[Montalban]

What else is an indicator?

The Church and tradition.

You have to realise that a majority of Christians aren't bible only (sola scriptura) Christians. However they are a majority on this thread so more people will be here focussed on the Bible.

 

[Montalban]

Some Christians may get their morality from tradition.

Sorry to quibble.

The single biggest group of Christians is the Catholic church. Alone they outnumber all Protestant groups. They are a church that uses tradition.

Next largest is my own - the Orthodox Church. We are a church that uses tradition.

Other churches using tradition include the Oriental Orthodox (aka the Coptic Church) and then there are others.

I believe it's a massive understatement for you to say 'some' Christians.

 

[drich0150]

Hello, this thread was made after going off-topic in a different thread.

I want to know about Christian morals. What is the definition of Christian morals? And where do these morals come from?

"Christian morals, or Christian Morality" is a religious terms that describes the actions of one who believe themself to be a follower of Christ.

Note a religious term does not automatically mean the term is from, or of God. Any form of religion is a work of man to interpret the works or will of God. there are many scriptural or false religious terms or ideals.

That said, "Christian Morals" in of themselves do not make one a follower of Christ. Those who's believe that one has to follow a set standard of "morals" or rules do not understand the true morality/freedom found in Christ.

So in a word Christian Morals come from other christian's interpretation of God's word or perceived will.

 

[CryptoLutheran]

As I don't view Christianity as a moralistic religion, that is, the emphasis of the Christian faith isn't on a moral legal code but rather about:

1) Salvation, the reconciliation of the world to God in and through Christ (which is a far larger topic to even engage in here)

and

2) Discipleship, that is, an active life centered upon Jesus of Nazareth who is the locus of all Christian activity; Christ is Lord and Teacher, we are servants and students. Though not as a lawmaker handing down laws, but as One who invites us into a new way of living in the world.

Christian morality, or rather what is appropriate behavior and activity/action for a Christian is rooted in Christ. Christ is, therefore, the source of Christian morality. The Gospels offer us the most direct statements about what Jesus has said and done, after which we have the writings and teachings of the earliest Christians (the apostles and etc) such as the writings of St. Paul, St. Peter, St. John and St. James; we also have the Church--the universal community of Christian faithful who are heirs of the faith and teachings of the apostles--which has struggled through history in how to live out what it means to follow Jesus through numerous circumstances across the world.

Given the fractured nature of the Church--Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and many different sorts of Protestants--this leads to often competing and conflicting ways Christians seek to live out their calling in Jesus to be His disciples in the world.

However, at the source, there isn't a written moral code, there is a person: Jesus. His words and His deeds and His life are the source of Christian morality and Christian ethics.

Following this the question becomes how does one follow Christ faithfully, for which answers become more diverse due to differences in theology, biblical hermeneutics and a host of other issues over which the planet's estimated 2 billion Christians disagree, discuss, quibble, argue or shout at each other about.

But at the heart is still Jesus of Nazareth, what He said, what He did, and how He lived.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[razeontherock]

Christian morality, or rather what is appropriate behavior and activity/action for a Christian is rooted in Christ.

This is the difficulty when trying to discuss these things with a Muslim; they don't know what those bolded words mean. They try to reduce it to just an individual, not recognizing that "Christ" is an office, not just a last Name.

 

[berachah]

I want to know about Christian morals. What is the definition of Christian morals? And where do these morals come from?

Man was separated from God through sin. Man was reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. And through that reconciliation we receive the Spirit of God; the Holy Spirit.

It is by the leading of the Spirit of God that we Christians are called to live our lives. As the Spirit convicts and moves us, (if we are obedient) we become more Christlike (God-like). It is a process of sanctification that God does from within us, in his way and in his time.

In contrast to Christianity, followers of every other faith have a faith of works and self sanctification. They are subject to the rules and morals of men / natural authorities and delight in finding ways to make themselves appear more righteous, more holy and in so doing suppose they have better morals than others. The nature of their faith also commands theat they exercise dominion and authority over others through power, violence accusation and judgement.

The Spirit of God calls us to live by faith, to treat others as we would like to be treated, to overcome evil with love, to be a blessing to others rather than judgment and the Spirit of God demands to be our moral compass in all things in life.

Sadly many Christians choose to live by the law of the Old Testament and in so doing mirror other faiths such as the Jews, Muslims and even carnal Christians.

 

[Mahammad]

Obviously we get some of our morality from the Bible, mostly the New Testament teachings of Jesus.

I see, so the whole bible is a guidance to Christian morality, not just the Gospels.

Some Christians may get their morality from tradition.

What is tradition?

We can also get moral teachings by using reasoned arguments. For example taking foundational morality in the Bible or morality that is common to all people and applying reason to it to try to come to a new understanding of right and wrong.

In other words, ignoring some Christian morals because they don't fit the 21st century.

 

[Catherineanne]

Now you have spoken. where else(beside the Gospels) should a Christian look at to base his or her morals on?

I will answer for myself. I look at the Bible, I talk to my priest, and I read Christian literature; works by the saints and by the Church fathers. I listen to sermons on a Sunday, and I read sermons by other priests.

And then I use my common sense to work out what all of these mean, in relation to my own life, and my own situation. If I have any uncertainty, I check with my priest, and because I am rather a traditional sort of person, I rely on him for spiritual advice if I am in any doubt.

Ultimately, my conscience is what determines my morality, but that conscience answers to my faith, and to my church.

 

[Mahammad]

The Church and tradition.

What is tradition? And by "the church", do you mean religious clerics?

You have to realise that a majority of Christians aren't bible only (sola scriptura) Christians. However they are a majority on this thread so more people will be here focussed on the Bible.

I understand.

 

[Catherineanne]

That is totally irrelvent and off-topic, unless this holy spirit you talk about is preaching Christian teachings.

Yes, the Holy Spirit does teach.

I'm not talking about how are Christians magically guided, I'm talking about what do Christians base their morals on.

Here is a deal for you. I won't denegrate your faith as magic, and you reciprocate.

How do you use his righteousness? What is his righteousness? I'm sorry but this doesn't make any sense.

The life of Christ is his example to us. What he did, we are to do, and what he did not do, or told us not to do, we are not to do.

For example, the Lord did not marry. He lived his whole life as a celibate. From this we get the very honourable tradition of monks and nuns, and later some priests, living their lives in celibacy, and dedicated to the Lord. And for the rest of us, we have the tradition of continence and faithfulness, rather than licentiousness.

 

[Mahammad]

"Christian morals, or Christian Morality" is a religious terms that describes the actions of one who believe themself to be a follower of Christ.

Note a religious term does not automatically mean the term is from, or of God. Any form of religion is a work of man to interpret the works or will of God. there are many scriptural or false religious terms or ideals.

That said, "Christian Morals" in of themselves do not make one a follower of Christ. Those who's believe that one has to follow a set standard of "morals" or rules do not understand the true morality/freedom found in Christ.

So in a word Christian Morals come from other christian's interpretation of God's word or perceived will.

Are you saying that I don't need morals or religion to be saved?

 

[Mahammad]

Man was separated from God through sin. Man was reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. And through that reconciliation we receive the Spirit of God; the Holy Spirit.

It is by the leading of the Spirit of God that we Christians are called to live our lives. As the Spirit convicts and moves us, (if we are obedient) we become more Christlike (God-like). It is a process of sanctification that God does from within us, in his way and in his time.

In contrast to Christianity, followers of every other faith have a faith of works and self sanctification. They are subject to the rules and morals of men / natural authorities and delight in finding ways to make themselves appear more righteous, more holy and in so doing suppose they have better morals than others. The nature of their faith also commands theat they exercise dominion and authority over others through power, violence accusation and judgement.
The Spirit of God calls us to live by faith, to treat others as we would like to be treated, to overcome evil with love, to be a blessing to others rather than judgment and the Spirit of God demands to be our moral compass in all things in life.

Sadly many Christians choose to live by the law of the Old Testament and in so doing mirror other faiths such as the Jews, Muslims and even carnal Christians.

If I became a Christian does praying to God and relaying on the holy spirit all it takes to live a Christian life? and will the holy spirit guide me in a Christian way of life?

 

[Mahammad]

This is the difficulty when trying to discuss these things with a Muslim; they don't know what those bolded words mean. They try to reduce it to just an individual, not recognizing that "Christ" is an office, not just a last Name.

I'm not a Muslim.

 

[CryptoLutheran]

What is tradition? And by "the church", do you mean religious clerics?

Tradition is the teaching and faith which the Christian Church has passed down from generation to generation; it is also called "Apostolic Tradition" because it is the preserved teaching received from Christ and His apostles since the foundation of the Church.

That is, at least, a somewhat simplistic answer of how Orthodox, Catholics (and etc) generally understand Tradition (with a capital 'T'). Protestants, such as myself, have varying understandings of Tradition based roughly on how our respective denominations and theologies understand it. For instance, I believe Tradition is invaluable but not infallible, to be respected by not regard as beyond reproach.

It is also necessary to note that there is a distinction between Tradition ("Sacred Tradition"/"Apostolic Tradition") and tradition. The Doctrine of the Trinity is Tradition, folding one's hands during prayer is a tradition.

And as for the Church, in includes clergy, but it's the whole Church: all of the Faithful who are members of the Church. For Orthodox it means the Orthodox Church, as they understand that Christ established His Church and sent out His Apostles who preached Him, who established communities pastored by bishops and priests who carry on the Apostles' mission of pastoring and preaching. Catholics believe similarly but believe that among Christ's apostles Peter was the visible head, and thus the successor of Peter remains the visible head, which is the Bishop of Rome also called the Pope. Protestants have various ideas of the Church.

But all those differences aside, what is not meant is simply some clerical authoritarianism, but rather the universal consensus of Faithful Christians who are in communion as one Church, sharing in that faith as preserved for us--either in Scripture alone (as some say) or in Scripture and Tradition (as others say) or in some sort of combination (as still others say). Which is all a very elaborate way of saying that the Church is fundamentally a community (not just a community, but it is a community), the Church is both clergy and laity in concert sharing in faith and living together corporately as a people devoted to Jesus.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Mahammad]

I will answer for myself. I look at the Bible, I talk to my priest, and I read Christian literature; works by the saints and by the Church fathers. I listen to sermons on a Sunday, and I read sermons by other priests.

And then I use my common sense to work out what all of these mean, in relation to my own life, and my own situation. If I have any uncertainty, I check with my priest, and because I am rather a traditional sort of person, I rely on him for spiritual advice if I am in any doubt.

Ultimately, my conscience is what determines my morality, but that conscience answers to my faith, and to my church.

But aren't priests and saints sinners who are vulnerable to fall to Satan or their own earthly desires?

 

[Catherineanne]

However, at the source, there isn't a written moral code, there is a person: Jesus. His words and His deeds and His life are the source of Christian morality and Christian ethics.

Following this the question becomes how does one follow Christ faithfully, for which answers become more diverse due to differences in theology, biblical hermeneutics and a host of other issues over which the planet's estimated 2 billion Christians disagree, discuss, quibble, argue or shout at each other about.

But at the heart is still Jesus of Nazareth, what He said, what He did, and how He lived.

-CryptoLutheran

Absolutely right.

 

[Mahammad]

Tradition is the teaching and faith which the Christian Church has passed down from generation to generation; it is also called "Apostolic Tradition" because it is the preserved teaching received from Christ and His apostles since the foundation of the Church.

That is, at least, a somewhat simplistic answer of how Orthodox, Catholics (and etc) generally understand Tradition (with a capital 'T'). Protestants, such as myself, have varying understandings of Tradition based roughly on how our respective denominations and theologies understand it. For instance, I believe Tradition is invaluable but not infallible, to be respected by not regard as beyond reproach.

It is also necessary to note that there is a distinction between Tradition ("Sacred Tradition"/"Apostolic Tradition") and tradition. The Doctrine of the Trinity is Tradition, folding one's hands during prayer is a tradition.

And as for the Church, in includes clergy, but it's the whole Church: all of the Faithful who are members of the Church. For Orthodox it means the Orthodox Church, as they understand that Christ established His Church and sent out His Apostles who preached Him, who established communities pastored by bishops and priests who carry on the Apostles' mission of pastoring and preaching. Catholics believe similarly but believe that among Christ's apostles Peter was the visible head, and thus the successor of Peter remains the visible head, which is the Bishop of Rome also called the Pope. Protestants have various ideas of the Church.

But all those differences aside, what is not meant is simply some clerical authoritarianism, but rather the universal consensus of Faithful Christians who are in communion as one Church, sharing in that faith as preserved for us--either in Scripture alone (as some say) or in Scripture and Tradition (as others say) or in some sort of combination (as still others say). Which is all a very elaborate way of saying that the Church is fundamentally a community (not just a community, but it is a community), the Church is both clergy and laity in concert sharing in faith and living together corporately as a people devoted to Jesus.

-CryptoLutheran

How do you trust something(Tradition) developed over the centuries by sinners who you never met and don't know well?

Did Jesus mention Tradition?

 

[solarwave]

I see, so the whole bible is a guidance to Christian morality, not just the Gospels.

Personally for me it is mostly the New Testament, but for some it is the Old Testament as well.

What is tradition?

By this I mean people getting their morality from what the church hold to be write or wrong which isn't necessarily clear in the Bible. So generally accepted morals in the church or even society.

In other words, ignoring some Christian morals because they don't fit the 21st century.

Well having a different view from a literal understanding of some bits of the Bible.

 

[Mahammad]

Does God approve of all the saints that were chosen by the Church??