Christian biblical ethics: the application of biblical norms to today

Abstract

Christian theologians give many different interpretations to the Scriptures, particularly with regard to their ethical perspectives and their application to the present. A n examination and criticism o f various approaches adopted at present to the ethical dimension o f the Scriptures is undertaken. A distinction is made between the revealed and lasting message o f the Scriptitres and the message that is conditioned by culture and hence subject to change. Using the thought o f Ricoeur and Hauerwas an approach is presented which attempts to do justice to the twofold polarity o f the worid o f the Bible and the world o f today. In order to preserve a scenario o f concreteness, attention is given to one practical example, namely the issue o f homosexuality. After investigating the Scriptural approach to this question, an attempt is made to see how this issue can be viewed from a Christian perspective in the context o f the present world.