Pastor Jay //

I was speaking with one of the men in our church that has only been a Christian for a few years. He mentioned a philosophy of right and wrong called “situational ethics.” I was impressed! This theory was developed by an Episcopalian priest, Joseph Fletcher, in the 1960s. The foundational idea is that right and wrong is to be based upon unconditional love – “the only thing of intrinsic value.” Situational ethics is therefore the philosophy where “the morality of an act is a function of the state of the system at the time it is performed.” Unfortunately, Fletcher used his ideas to promote abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and cloning. Eventually, he renounced his faith and became and atheist. (http://www.wikipedia.org/) His life is an example of good intentions, based on false beliefs leading to bad theology. He intended to keep God’s love central, but, by rejecting clear Biblical concepts, he ended up with faith in his own logic instead of faith in God. Situational ethics puts humans in the place of making God-sized decisions about life and death. 

The man I was speaking to in our church was correct in his assessment of “situational ethics.” He said that it caused people to believe that “what’s good for the goose, isn’t always good for the gander.” If right and wrong depends on the situation, then lying is fine in some situations – not to mention stealing, murder, etc. This is what leads juries to acquit mothers who drown their 5 children, allows geneticists to manipulate and clone human DNA; and opens the door for churches to advocated deviant lifestyles. God’s Word teaches us the Truth. When we ignore the Truth of God’s Word, we begin writing our own brand of truth. 

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 

There is another Truth from God’s Word. It is grace. Grace is extremely expensive for God and wonderfully free for us. 

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24