Easter College

Teacher Education Department

Easter School Rd., Guisad Central, Baguio City

Module 2

For the subject

Christian Ethics
(C.E. 2)

Mid Terms

First Semester

A.Y. 2020-2021

Prepared By: Allan C. Balalao

Teacher
 Topic Coverage:
1. Brief History of Ethics
2. 3 Questions of Ethics and The Pursuit of Happiness
3. Biblical Ethics: The Decalogue

Time Frame: March 4 – April 3, 2021

Unit Objectives:
1. To name the consequences of Sin and what are the moral lessons we can derive from it.
2. To reflect on the three (3) basic questions of Ethics:
1.1. What is the highest good of man?
1.2. Why I am here on earth?
1. 3. What is the purpose of my life?
2. To re-read the Ten Commandments and retrieve its relevant insights that are useful in making
ethical decisions
3. To differentiate ethics from the lens of the different philosophies vs. Ethics from the lens of
the Judeo-Christian Tradition
4. To appreciate the relevance of being informed of Biblical ethical principles
5. To translate in their daily lives the basic moral teachings of the Bible implied in the Decalogue,
Jesus’ summary of the Law, and Sermon on the Mouth or the Be-attitudes.

Topic 6:
Biblical Ethics, the Decalogue (Ten Commandments)

Learning Experiences:

Read the Ten Commandments on the Book of Exodus chapter 20

Sources of Christian Ethics and Morality
1. The Decalogue/Ten Commandments
Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5-29, &
Leviticus 18-21

2. The

Sermon on the Mount= Matthew 5-7

 Matthew 5: 1-12

A. The Distinctive Principle in the Old Testament

Biblical Ethics are God centered: the basic ethical demand is to imitate God. This is reflected in
Leviticus 11: 44ff God: “Be holy, for I am holy.”

OT Background of the Decalogue

A. Covenant: The covenant God made with Israel through Moses (Ex. 24) had direct and far-reaching
ethical significance. In particular the keynote of grace, first struck in the Lord’s choice of covenant
partner (Dt. 7:7ff; 9:4), sets the theme for the whole of the OT’s moral teaching.
* Covenant –an agreement between two parties; the people of Israel represented by Moses and God

God’s grace= supplies the chief motive for obedience to his commandments, grace provides the
main stimulus for to good behaviour rather than fear. Humanity, as God’s covenant partners, are invited
to respond gratefully to his prior acts of undeserved love; they are summoned to do God’s will in
gratitude for his grace rather than submit in terror to threats of punishment.
God’s Expectation = In a word, God's covenant demand is, “you shall keep my commandments
and do them because I am the Lord who brought you out of Egypt to be your God (Ex. 19:33ff)”

B. The Decalogue: The covenant provided the context for God’s Law-giving consequently; a distinctive
feature of the OT Law was its stress on the maintenance of right relationship between people, and
between people and God.

Consequences: Therefore, the most serious consequence of law-breaking was not a material
punishment but the resulting breakdown in relationship

The Decalogue
 2 Greek Words where the Decalogue originated:
1. “Deca”- means “Ten” – Decade in English, “dekada” in Filipino.
2. “Logos”- “Word.”
Therefore: Decalogue means “Ten Words” In Hebrew Origin: “dabar” – which is anoun,
meaning-- “word,” “report”
Or “command.” Hence: Decalogue is translated as “Ten Commandments”

Other origins: 1. “Miswa” (Noun) – means “command,” “commandment,” “order”

B. Latin- “Mandatum” - means “mandate,” “command” which is translated as “Kautusan”
in Filipino, or “mandar” or “bilin” in the (local dialect) Iloko language.

Biblical Usage: “Miswa” – usually denotes God’s commands--Numbers 15:39; Deut. 4:2;1 Kings 18:18
Though it is also used for human commands: Isaiah 29: 13; Jeremiah 35:14-18, and the
commands of the kings: 1 kings 2:43; 2kings 18:36, Esther 3:3; Nehemiah 11:33.

Background of the Ten Commandments - The Ten Commandments were written by God upon two
tablets of stone and then given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Most scholars date this event around the 13th
or 14th century BC. God gave the Decalogue to the Israelites shortly after they left Egypt. Most Scholars
suggest that the Ten Commandments is the epitome of man’s duty to God and his neighbour.
It set of Biblical Principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in the
Abrahamic religions (Judaism & Islam). The commandments include instructions to have no other gods
before him, to honour one's parents, and to keep the Sabbath day holy, as well as prohibitions against
idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, theft, dishonesty, and coveting (Torah: Summary of the 613 laws)

2 Divisions:
A. Commandment # 1-4 = Spells out the basic sanctities governing beliefs, worship, his name and
his day—the Sabbath.
Significance = Warning against: Polytheism and Idolatry
Polytheism – the worship of several gods
Idolatry – anything that replaces God in your heart/life

B. Commandment # 5-10 = Speaks of the preservation human-to-human relationship: Family,

Marriage, the respect of Life, Truth Telling, and not being greedy

Affirmation of the Ten Commandments in the New Testament

The moral law reaffirmed in the NT by Jesus Christ and Paul (in his teachings)
The two great commandments, Matt 22:36-40; Luke 10:26-28
The Ten Commandments, Matt 19:16-19 = Luke 18:18-20 (reaffirms Coms. #5-9)
Reaffirmed by Paul
Ten Commandments reaffirmed in Rom 2:21-23 (Coms. #1-2, 7-8); and Rom 13:8-10
(Coms. #68, 10, and “any other”)
 1. Read and understand the Basic Definition in Christian Ethics
on this page. This will be included in your Mid Term Exam

Basic Definition in Christian Ethics (Relevant words and their

meaning)
Reviewer for Mid Term Examination)

1. Ethics – from the Greek word “ethos” which means standard or rule; a norm; it deals with
principles of conduct i.e. what is right? What is wrong?

2. Morality – from the Latin word “mores” which means “custom” or “habit.” Morals are what
people do.

3. Christian Ethics – Applying Christian principles in daily life e.g. translating doctrine into deeds,
or translating your Christian Faith into action.

4. Moral Theology – the study of moral principles and their application to cases

5. Theology – “faith seeking understanding”

6. Manners – A way of doing something or the way in which a thing is done or happens.
Practice, style, execution, or method (Arts)

7. Character – a good repute; the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual
nature of some person or thing.

8. Vice –the corruption of human power or capacity; a bad habit.

9. Virtue – moral excellence; a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good

10. Justice –the quality of being just, impartial, or fair; giving what is due to others

11. Honesty –truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness; freedom from deceit or fraud.

12. Lying –false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a
falsehood.

13. Trust –reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing;
confidence.

14. Slander –a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report

15. Decalogue – the Ten Commandments

16. Greed – denote an excessive, extreme desire for something, often more than one's proper
share.

17. Economic Justice – a component of social justice; a set of moral principles for building
economic institutions, the ultimate goal of which is to create an opportunity for each person to
create a sufficient material foundation upon which to have a dignified, productive, and creative
life beyond economics.

18. Conscience – an inherited moral and ethical knowledge and awareness that intellectually
and emotionally guides us in differing between good and evil.

19. Temptation –Pressure applied to your thinking designed to create wrong emotions which
will eventually lead to wrong actions; is that which move us to sin

20. Sin – it means “to miss the mark”; “something that separates humankind from God” (Alister
McGrath)

21. Idolatry – making a god out of something; anything that or which replaces the One True God
in your life or in your heart

22. Temperance - the perfection of desire

23. Fortitude/courage - the perfection of the will

24. Prudence/practical wisdom - the perfection of the mind

25. Pride -a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority,
whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

26. Lust -a passionate or overmastering desire or craving

27. Envy -a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success,
possessions, etc.

28. Gluttony – excessive eating and drinking

29. Anger -a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wrath; ire.

30. Sloth –indolence; laziness

2. ON the 10 Commandments

Answer the following questions:

1. How is cheating in school an offense against the Seventh Commandment?

2. How can you practice loyalty and commitment in relationships now to help you
prepare for the same when and if you are married?
3. How do the Ten Commandments play a part in your moral decision-making?
Give an example.
3. On the Beatitudes

Beatitudes Symbols
Directions: Draw an appropriate symbol next to each Beatitudes to help remember its meaning.
Symbol The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of

heaven.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for
they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.