christian ethics (4)

Esther Reed gives this definition of christian ethics-

Christian ethics is the study of the Christian ethos because it concerns the character and practice of life in Christ.
(The Genesis of Ethics: On the Authority of God as the Origin of Christian Ethics)

It should have been obvious that ethics has something to do with ethos, but somehow I had missed it. I like the connection- ethics being the verb, where ethos is the noun. Ethos is nicely woolly too, which gives everyone room to play around with how to describe it. Some of the best descriptions I've read have been metaphors- using music, theatre or poetry to describe how an ethos permeates decision making, behaviour, character, at both an individual and community level. And if ethics is the study of an ethos, it becomes less about rules or procedures, and more about discerning a flavour, a melody, a colour palette....

I'm reminded of Eugene Peterson's translation of Matthew 5:13-16-

Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world

So ethics is something about bringing out the God-flavours and God-colours of the world.....

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