Ethics and Community
This domain tests Christian moral reasoning and how churches shape community life. You must know sources of authority and apply them to concrete situations. Distinguish rules from principles and show how principles apply.
Sources of Christian ethics
- Agape: unconditional love; the controlling principle (1 Corinthians 13).
- Ten Commandments: duties to God and neighbour (Exodus 20).
- Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes, forgiveness, care for the poor (Matthew 5–7).
- Natural law and conscience: reason and inner judgement (Romans 2:14–15).
- Church teaching and tradition: councils, denominations, pastoral guidance.
Community themes
Justice, stewardship of creation, reconciliation, family life, sexual ethics, work, poverty and care for the vulnerable. Churches run schools, hospitals and charitable work; many speak prophetically about corruption and inequality.
Worked example
Question: 'A Christian employer pays below minimum wage. Evaluate this.' Reasoning: state the fact, apply agape and the command not to defraud workers (James 5:4), weigh profit against human dignity, consider the community effect, then conclude with a reasoned judgement rather than a slogan.
Traps
- Quoting a Bible verse without applying it to the case.
- Assuming every Christian denomination reaches the same ethical conclusion.
- Confusing Old Testament ceremonial rules with moral commands.