Christian Ethics Essay

Christology is one of the most influential factors in Christian ethics as Jesus' life and ministry is so central to Christian belief. This essay will explore how the teachings and actions of Jesus have affected the development of Christian ethics. To prove that Christology has contributed vastly to the development of Christian ethics, this essay will focus on three key aspects of Jesus' ministry: non-violence, love, and justice. Jesus' approaches to each of these have contributed to a variety of ethical debates, therefore moulding Christian ethical behaviour. Jesus' teachings of non-violence are important to Christian belief. The most well-known teaching on non-violence appears in the Sermon on the Mount, a long passage of moral teachings …show more content…
This is because 'Jesus' teaching on peace was interpreted in the New Testament as being central to his wider message...' Therefore it is easy to understand how beliefs of pacifism and non-violence have been prevalent in Christian moral behaviour from the very beginning. The suggestion that one should not use violence to confront an evildoer was a radical idea at the time, but early Christian believers appear to have taken it to heart, as can be seen in the Apostle Paul's writings. He encourages his audience in Rome to 'Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.' This is in direct contrast to his old self, who was 'violently persecuting the church of God' until his conversion on the road to Damascus. Thus, Christians have a clear example of how Jesus' pacifist teachings may be put into practice as the morally right course of action. Jesus' concern for the dignity of all people in his promotion of non-violence is upheld by one of Kant's ethical principles - not to use people as a means to an end. To use violence against an evildoer is to use that person as a means to the end of peace. As a result, it can be said that through the promotion of non-violence, Christology has contributed vastly to Christian