Christian Ethics

An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning

Wayne Grudem

wheaton, illinois

Christian Ethics: An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning

Copyright © 2018 by Wayne Grudem

Published by Crossway

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Cover design: Derek Thornton, Faceout Studios

Cover image: Stocksy

First printing 2018

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

For other Scripture versions cited, please see Appendix B.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4335-4965-6

ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-4968-7

PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-4966-3

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-4967-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Grudem, Wayne A., author.

Title: Christian ethics: an introduction to biblical moral reasoning / Wayne Grudem.

Description: Wheaton: Crossway, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017024129 (print) | LCCN 2018014341 (ebook) | ISBN 9781433549663 (pdf) | ISBN 9781433549670 (mobi) | ISBN 9781433549687 (epub) | ISBN 9781433549656 (hc)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian ethics.

Classification: LCC BJ1251 (ebook) | LCC BJ1251 .G78 2018 (print) | DDC 241—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017024129

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

For Hannah, Ava, and Will,

in the hope that when you grow up the world will be a better place—

a world in which the will of God

is more fully understood and obeyed “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)

CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS

ILLUSTRATIONS

PREFACE

PART 1:

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 Introduction to Christian Ethics

What is Christian ethics? Why should Christians study ethics? How should we study it? Why should we base our study of ethics on everything the Bible says rather than on a few major ethical principles from Scripture?

Chapter 2 The Ultimate Basis for Ethics: The Moral Character of God

Where did the Bible’s ethical standards come from? Why should we think they are valid? Do these ethical standards apply to all people in all societies at all times?

Chapter 3 Our Source of Ethical Standards: The Bible

Is the Bible supposed to teach us how to live? How do we know it is true and trustworthy? Can everybody understand it?

Chapter 4 The Goal of Ethics: Living for the Glory of God

Why should Christian ethics include more than learning about right actions? Why is it important to develop Christlike character? Why should we consider ...