Autobiographical Ethical Reflections...

Introductory Statement

Finding a staring point for a self-reflection such as this is not easy for me. Before taking this class on ethics, I thought I had dealt with all of the "major" ethical dilemmas in society today. However, as the class began I soon realized that ethics and ethical living is a daily struggle. It is not something to be mastered, but just the opposite, something to be respected and dealt with humbly.

This autobiographical ethical reflection will focus mainly upon some of the larger ethical issues and how they have effected my life over the past semester. It is hoped that this will include an appraisal of the style and approach I use, a development of a decision making method, a discussion of several issues addressed, an honest appraisal of issues still needing development, and a mentioning of any plan of action related to my ethical decision making. I hope to address the specific issues of gambling, human rights, biomedical ethics, business ethics, and sexuality. The intent is to address these topics from a personal, existential perspective.

Gambling

The reason I chose to deal with this topic first is because of my father's active involvement in preventing legalized gambling in the state of Mississippi. Ever since I was an adolescent, I can remember my dad speaking out strongly against the legalization of a lottery, parimutuel wagering, dockside casinos, and even sports betting. The reason why he was and is so vocal is because he is the Executive Director/Treasurer of the Christian Action Commission of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. His job is to deal with the moral and ethical issues facing Baptists in Mississippi. However, as I grew older, I began to realize that he spoke out against gambling not because it was his job, but because the love of Christ compels him.

This had to have been my first ethical teaching that I learned by example. Speaking out against gambling was not an effort to preserve some antiquated Victorian moral code. Gambling is primarily wrong because of its effects on the weak in society. I began to realize that those who suffered from this action were children, the elderly, and the poor. Gambling became unethical for me because it allowed the government to make losers out of its citizens.

In seeking a way to deal with the issue, I first had to establish the focus of the issue. Gambling is quite often disguised in bright lights and extravagant promotional messages, but the corruption lies just beneath the surface. The danger of gambling is twofold, "it is not only harmful but also alluring."1 The scriptures never issue a "thou shalt not" against gambling, but there are principles which indicate that gambling is wrong. The primary principle in question is, "the nature of freedom that a Christian has been granted through relationship with Jesus Christ."2 The principle that I have chosen to adhere to is that the true measure of freedom in Christ is that the good of others motivates me to limit my rights and freedoms. This is best supported by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:9; 8:13; 10:31-33; 10:24.

Not only does gambling violate Biblical principles, but it also has much effect upon society. Gambling often contributes to crime and corruption. It also disrupts the local and state economy. The lives that are wrecked are directly effected by gambling. In the end, there is no justification for gambling. The cost is too high on individuals, family, society, and the economy.

I have chosen to respond to this issue in several ways. First, I am regularly reviewing facts about existing laws regarding gambling. I am also keeping my eyes and ears open to public opinion to combat the lies coming from gambling proponents. I can also testify to others how gambling has caused my father-in-law to loose his retirement. Finally, I will actively support legislative measures, legislators, and law enforcement people who oppose gambling. I realize I have a long way to go on an ever increasing difficult path, but at least I am moving forward.

Human Rights

At first this issue did not seem to even be an ethical issue; however, as I began to reflect more this issue cuts to the core of ethical living. People are suffering around the world at the hands of their own governments. Often times when a person is incarcerated in a foreign prison, torture becomes routine. Women are raped, prisoners are injected with drugs, children are tortured to punish parents, and food and medical care is limited or nonexistent. The violation of human rights is widespread, "a recent survey concludes that 3 billion people in 117 nations . . ., live under governments that are either completely or partially dictatorial."3

The love of Christ compels me to not shut my eyes, ears, and heart to the myriad of people violated daily around the world and even in this nation. I am quickly drawn to the issue of evil and suffering and cry out to God, "why!!!" I want to hide from this reality, but I must face it, "admit its reality, and challenge it."4 In Hebrews 13:3, God through the voice of scripture tells us to remember those in prison and those mistreated because the Church, itself, was born out of suffering.

So what can I do to address such a formidable problem? Again, I believe that principles gleaned from scripture give the best reasons, the most important being that Christ died for all.5 I can support leaders who make human rights a top priority. I can get involved in groups like Amnesty International. From the pulpit, I can preach sermons and inform the laity. Finally, as an active participant in government, I can encourage national response. I agree that, "a great challenge for churches at the end of the twentieth century is to demonstrate a healthy life-style in human relations."6

Biomedical Ethics

The reason why I named this section something other than abortion is because I think we often neglect the entire spectrum of medical issues for the sake of tunnel vision on abortion. In light of the rapidly growing technologies and development of institutions, the combination has resulted in an awesome potential for good but also for evil. It is becoming more and more difficult, "for Christians to ignore or to avoid the consequences of decisions made in the scientific realm."7

Just because we have the ability, should we perform many of the procedures? Should we control birth, control death, control life, and even attempt to control the health care system? This is one of the areas, that because of lack of information and lack of understanding, I will fall short. I think it is honorable to control birth as long as conception is blocked and not terminated. I feel that euthanasia is ultimately murder for the sake of the observer, avoiding the painful reality of death.8 Honestly, I do not even know where to start dealing with "life control" and health care reform!

Probably, the biggest issue in biomedical ethics is abortion right now in our nation. However, I stand neither "Pro-Life" nor "Pro-Choice" because both are right and both are wrong. I choose to stand on the ground of paradox. I must make the decision according to each individual case. The issue for me is a national conflict between sanctity of life and quality of life. Ultimately, I believe abortion should never be used as birth control. However, each person stands before God in determining other cases!

So what can I do? I can emphasize the sanctity of all human life -- born or unborn. I can work behind the scenes to council women not to have abortions. Publicly, I can ask the government not to encourage abortions. Most importantly, I can love and reflect the grace of God that has been shown to me.9 I will try to love and keep my mind open, but I must draw some lines and stand firm on my principles.

Business Ethics

This issue begins with roots in the central issue of whether ethics can be taught. I believe it can be taught and must be taught, but teaching must begin at an early age.10 A survey done by the ICR Survey Research Group states that, "Americans are more likely than ever before to be dishonest with money."11 It seems that the ethical standards of America are dropping, and dropping rapidly.

I can and must respond to the decline in business ethics by doing several things.12 I can lead by example and testify to the presence of Christ in my life by my business and economic dealings. I can speak forth prophetically and challenge the total disregard for the poor, weak, and powerless in economic matters. I can make sure that my finances are clean both personally and in the church. Finally, I can help establish council groups for economic problems and establish a healthy dialogue with business and economic leaders on ethical matters.

Sexuality

I know that this issue is broad, so I will limit my discussion to sexuality expressed in marriage. I would love to deal with the issues of homosexuality, singleness, and abstinence; however, space limits me. I believe totally that sexuality is a gift of God to be expressed in all that this life offers. However, sexual intercourse must be limited solely to people of the opposite sex who have been married.13 The scriptures explicitly state that if a person is not married, they must abstain from intercourse.14

The marriage relationship has been established by God. Marriage provides companionship, procreation, and exists ultimately to support the Kingdom of God. Because my wife and I are Christians, we can distinguish a truly Christian marriage by our intimacy, exclusiveness, faithfulness, and our lasting commitment. Sexually speaking, our marriage must follow the Biblical principle of submission to each other. I will meet my wife's sexual needs, and she will meet my sexual needs. I think that this is the pattern established by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:3-6. Inside the marriage relationship, the sexual possibilities actually increase. Even acts such as oral sex and masturbation have a positive role to play in the marriage expression of sexuality.15

A "Concluding Unscientific Postscript"16

What follows now is a thought developed in My Ethics Journal.17 This class and Dr. Tillman have begun a process that will indeed leave my life remarkably different. Growing up in the home of an ethicist had me believing that I knew all there is to know about ethics and living ethically. This thought is an attempt to record the changes and growth that will occur over the period of the class and possibly beyond. It will also be used to discuss and debate with myself any issues that confront my "pattern" of thinking. I humbling open myself and my "worldview" to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Hopefully, this will lead to an Understanding of Christian Ethics.

Ethics is the application of the faith life. So how do I respond to this present age? Is this the worst time in human history? I do not think so, but evil is bad enough! I am reminded of a song by TRUTH, "Living Life Upside Down." Its words share the common concern that most Christians have regarding society and culture that have become (and probably always were) extremely secularized and humanistic. The main chorus of the song by TRUTH asks, "what if we've fallen to the bottom of a well, thinking that we've risen to the top of a mountain . . . what if we reach up and touch the ground and find we're living life upside down."18

These words strike hard because they attack my very existence, my hermeneutic of life. How often have I made an error in ethical and moral decisions because my sin nature turned my life upside down? God has made me to be a human; however, sin has made me quite inhumane. If I have lost my moral compass, and my ethical decisions become purely situational, then I am worthless, only to be thrown out and trampled on by the feet of this world. But, my moral and ethical "North" is YHWH, revealed in Christ Jesus. With God in Christ and Christ in me, a correctness and oughtness may be found, but only in deep humility. Thus, in Christ I become salt and light, the savor and direction of this dark and dreary land. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, it is Jesus Christ the Lord.

ENDNOTES

1 Issues & Answers: Gambling (Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1993), 1. Consider also the picture and caption in Life, 2 October 1979, 144.

2 Paul Griffin Jones, II, "The Christian and the Casino," Salt & Light (7 September/October 1994), 1.

3 Issues & Answers: Human Rights (Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1993), 1.

4 Ibid, 3.

5 William M. Tillman and Timothy D. Gilbert, Christian Ethics: A Primer (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1986), 89.

6 William M. Tillman, ed. Understanding Christian Ethics: An Interpretive Approach (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 160.

7 Tillman, Christian Ethics: A Primer, 113.

8 See also Critical Issues: Euthanasia (Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1994) and David C. Egner, ed. Morals for Mortals (Grand Rapids: Radio Bible Class, n.d.), 35-46.

9 I agree with some of Critical Issues: What the Bible Teaches About Abortion (Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1994), but some of the responses recommended defeat the issue and begin to seek too much political power rather than Kingdom of God power.

10 Class discussion early in the semester led me to come to this conclusion.

11 Beth Holmes, "For Your Information," Salt & Light (7 September/October 1994), 2.

12 See Issues & Answers: Business Ethics (Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, n.d.), 5.

13 For helpful information see Tillman, Christian Ethics: A Primer, 69-79.

14 See important discussion in Critical Issues: A Case for Abstinence (Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1991).

15 For helpful and insightful information see Clifford and Joyce Penner, The Gift of Sex (Waco: Word Books, 1981) and Susan E. Davies and Elanor H. Haney, eds. Redefining Sexual Ethics (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1991).

16 This conclusion heading is chosen under the influence of Søren Kierkegaard and his influence on H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture (New York: Harper and Row, 1951), 230-256.

17 Paul Griffin Jones, III, "My Ethics Journal" (Fort Worth: n.p., 1994).

18 TRUTH, So Far, So Good, excerpts read by the author, cassette C02091, Benson, 1992.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Critical Issues: A Case for Abstinence. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1991.

Critical Issues: Euthanasia. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1994.

Critical Issues: What the Bible Teaches About Abortion. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1994.

Davies, Susan E. and Elanor H. Haney, eds. Redefining Sexual Ethics. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1991.

Egner, David C. ed. Morals for Mortals. Grand Rapids: Radio Bible Class, n.d.
Holmes, Beth. "For Your Information." Salt & Light. 7 September/October 1994, 2-4.

Issues & Answers: Biomedical Ethics. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, n.d.

Issues & Answers: Business Ethics. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, n.d.

Issues & Answers: Gambling. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1993.

Issues & Answers: Human Rights. Nashville: The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, n.d.

Jones, Paul Griffin, II. "The Christian and the Casino." Salt & Light. 7 September/October 1994, 1.

Jones, Paul Griffin, III. "My Ethics Journal." Fort Worth: n.p., 1994.
Life. 2 October 1979, 144.

Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. New York: Harper and Row, 1951. Penner, Clifford and Joyce. The Gift of Sex. Waco: Word Books, 1981.

Tillman, William M., ed. Understanding Christian Ethics: An Interpretive Approach. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988.

Tillman, William M. and Timothy D. Gilbert. Christian Ethics: A Primer. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1986.

TRUTH. So Far, So Good. Excerpts read by the author. Cassette C02091. Benson, 1992.