Moral Decision Making and the Role of Scripture
Moral Decision Making and the Role of Scripture
The Bible plays a central role in Christian moral decision-making, serving as the primary source of guidance for believers. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, "Every scripture is divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" [2]. This verse underscores the authority and usefulness of Scripture in shaping Christian ethics and morality.
In making moral decisions, Christians are encouraged to turn to Scripture for guidance. The Psalmist expresses a commitment to keeping God's "righteous judgments" (Psalm 119:106), highlighting the importance of aligning one's actions with biblical teachings [5]. The process involves not just reading Scripture but also interpreting and applying its teachings to everyday life. one commentary tradition on 1 Timothy 4:13 notes the significance of reading Scripture in public congregations, indicating its communal role in shaping moral understanding [7].
The Bible itself provides examples of moral decision-making. In Numbers 30:2, the making of vows to the Lord is discussed, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling promises made to God. The commentary on this passage highlights that a vow, once made, becomes an indispensable duty, underscoring the seriousness with which God views commitments [6].
Christians are also called upon to exercise judgment in moral matters. In 1 Corinthians 5:3, Paul judges a man who has committed a wrong, demonstrating the need for discernment and decision-making within the community of believers [3]. one commentary tradition on 1 Corinthians 10:15 encourages believers to use their "powers of judgment" to weigh arguments and make informed decisions, acknowledging the responsibility that comes with private judgment [4].
The role of Scripture in moral decision-making is further emphasized by its characterization as the "Word of God" and "Word of truth" [1]. These descriptions affirm its divine origin and authority, providing a foundation for its use in guiding moral choices.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (Darby) — Every scripture [is] divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;”
- 1 Corinthians “For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing. -- 1 Corinthians 5:3”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:106: Here is, 1. The notion David had of religion; it is keeping God's righteous judgments. God's commands are his judgments, the dictates of infinite wisdom. They are righteous judgments, consonant to the eternal rules of equity, and it is our duty to keep them carefully. 2. The obligation he here laid upon himself to be religious, binding himself, by his own promise, to that which he was already bound to by the divine precept, and all little enough. "I have sworn (I have lifted up my head to the Lord, and I cannot go back) and therefore must go forward: I will per”
- Numbers (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Numbers 30:2: If a man vow a vow unto the Lord--A mere secret purpose of the mind was not enough to constitute a vow; it had to be actually expressed in words; and though a purely voluntary act, yet when once the vow was made, the performance of it, like that of every other promise, became an indispensable duty--all the more because, referring to a sacred thing, it could not be neglected without the guilt of prevarication and unfaithfulness to God. he shall not break his word--literally, "profane his word"--render it vain and contemptible (Psa 55:20; Psa 89:34). ”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”