Metaethics is a branch of philosophy that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties, statements, attitudes, and judgments. Here are some of the main questions addressed in metaethics from a biblical perspective: The Meaning of Ethical Terms What do words like “good,” “right,” “ought,” and “virtue” actually mean? Are they purely descriptive terms or do they express some kind of objective moral value or duty? According to the Bible, words like good and right do have objective meaning based on God’s unchanging moral character and commands. Passages like Matthew 19:17 explain that there is only one who is truly…
Author: Emma Price
The concept of a “God-shaped hole” refers to the idea that every person has a deep longing within themselves that can only be fully satisfied through a relationship with God. This concept is not explicitly stated in the Bible, but it does align with some biblical themes. The Bible teaches that human beings were created for relationship with God. Genesis 1-2 describes how God created mankind in His own image and placed them in the Garden of Eden to fellowship with Him. After the Fall in Genesis 3, that relationship was broken due to sin, but God’s desire has always…
The story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 17, is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It depicts the young David, who would later become king of Israel, defeating the giant Philistine warrior Goliath with just a sling and stone. This story serves as an inspirational tale of faith and courage triumphing over what seems to be impossible odds. When examining this narrative more closely, we can extract several valuable lessons that remain applicable today. Trust in God’s Power, Not Worldly Strength The story sets up a clear contrast between the sheer size and military…
Pragmatic ethics is an approach to making moral decisions that focuses on the likely consequences of actions. It considers the real-world outcomes of different courses of action and aims to determine which option will produce the best results overall. At its core, pragmatic ethics is concerned with working out the best way to act in a given situation. It recognizes that we live in a complex world and there are no universal laws that can tell us the right thing to do in every case. Instead, we must carefully weigh up the potential benefits and harms of each available path.…
Who was Saint Augustine of Hippo in church history? Saint Augustine of Hippo was one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity. He lived from 354-430 AD and had a profound impact on Christian theology that is still felt today. Here is an overview of Augustine’s life and legacy: Early Life Augustine was born in 354 AD in Thagaste, a Roman province in what is now modern day Algeria. His mother, Monica, was a devout Christian but his father was a pagan. Augustine was educated in Latin literature and rhetoric and had a brilliant mind, but he…
The Christian community refers to the body of believers who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This community is made up of people from all walks of life, brought together by their common faith. At its core, the Christian community is centered around living out the teachings of Jesus Christ and spreading the gospel message to all nations. Beliefs and Teachings Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and rose again to give new life (John 3:16). Accepting Christ as Savior and Lord…
The prophet Jeremiah lived during a tumultuous time in the history of Israel. The kingdom was facing threats from powerful foreign empires and experiencing a spiritual decline marked by idolatry and social injustice. In this context, Jeremiah repeatedly called the people to turn away from sin and false gods and return to the Lord. One of his constant themes was that placing trust in human beings and human resources, rather than God, will ultimately lead to curse and ruin. In Jeremiah 17:5, the prophet declares: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh…
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of rest and relaxation for both our physical and spiritual well-being. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles related to this topic: God Rested on the Seventh Day of Creation In Genesis 2:2-3, we read that on the seventh day after God’s work of creation, He rested from all His work. This shows us that rest is God’s design for His creation. If even God took a day of rest after working, how much more do we need rest, being finite human beings? By the seventh…
A prophet in the Old Testament was someone who acted as God’s spokesperson, conveying messages from God to people. The English word “prophet” comes from the Greek word “prophetes”, which means “one who speaks on behalf of another”. In the Old Testament, prophets were individuals called by God to be His representatives on earth. They spoke God’s word and often predicted future events. Here is an overview of prophets in the Old Testament: Definition and Role of Prophets The Hebrew word for prophet, “nabi”, means “one who is called” or “one who is spoken to”. A prophet was someone who…
Conceptualism is a philosophical theory that asserts that universal concepts or mental representations have an existence in the mind rather than independently in reality. It aims to mediate between nominalism, which denies the existence of universals, and realism, which asserts the independent existence of universals. Conceptualism holds that there are universals but only as concepts in the mind, not as real entities. Origins of Conceptualism Conceptualism originated in medieval scholastic philosophy as an alternative to nominalism and realism in accounting for the problem of universals. Prominent conceptualists included Peter Abelard and William of Ockham. Abelard held that universals exist only…