1. Wesleyan Theology and Christian Ethics Kevin Twain Lowery, Ph.D. Olivet Nazarene University February 4, 2013

2. Approaches to ethics appropriated in Christian ethics Ethics as rules Certain things are right or wrong in and of themselves. Deontological ethics Ethics as goals Right and wrong are somewhat contextual and situational. Strive to maximize good and minimize evil. Teleological ethics

3. Approaches to ethics appropriated in Christian ethics (cont.) Ethics as Divine commands Right and wrong are determined by Divine fiat. Right and wrong cannot be naturally perceived, so they must be Divinely revealed. Divine command ethics Ethics as (created) natural order Right and wrong are determined by fitness (i.e., aptness). Natural law

4. Approaches to ethics appropriated in Christian ethics (cont.) Ethics as character traits and dispositions Right and wrong pertain primarily to the agent and only secondarily to the action. Stronger emphasis on motive than on action Requires a prior concept of the good Virtue ethics

5. Examples of Christian ethics in these schemas Deontological ethics Pacifism Teleological ethics Just war theory Divine command ethics God commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac Virtue ethics Fruit of the Spirit

6. Intersection of Wesleyan theology and Christian ethics (Wesleyan moral theology) SinPrevenient graceRevelation (esp. hermeneutics)Sanctification

7. Wesley’s definition of sin The motive is ultimately determines the morality of an action. Moral accountability is gauged by ability. Sin is “a willful transgression of the known law of God.”

8. Wesley offers a “narrow” definition of sin.

9. Prevenient grace Definition — Through the atonement of Christ, grace is extended to every person from birth. It provides: forgiveness to those who are not (yet) morally accountable for their sins, a certain degree of natural reason and conscience to each person.

10. Implications for Christian ethics Every person has the ability to discern right from wrong. However, conscience must be educated and shaped.

11. Revelation (Spiritual) empiricism is the epistemic framework. The Quadrilateral (Scripture, reason, tradition, experience) is the methodology. Natural law is recognized. Discipleship/accountability groups are utilized.

12. Implications Not Sola ScripturaNot Divine command ethics Ethical discourse takes place in the Christian community. Tension is maintained between personal and collective conscience.

13. Sanctification It is the fulfilling of the love commandments. It is reflected in the fruit of the Spirit. Morality is rooted in pure intentions. The limitations of this “narrow” definition of sin necessitates: complete consecration continual moral development and growth

14. Conclusions

15. Wesleyan ethics is first and foremost a virtue ethic.

16. Conscience as practical reasoning Divinely bestowed in creation Divinely enabled and assisted through grace Divinely guided through Scripture, the Christian community, and the Holy Spirit

17. Goals Moral purityWholehearted loveActions that glorify God

18. Means = moral transformation Divine forgiveness Divine restoration of the image of God Attending to the means of grace Participation in and accountability to the Christian community

19. As a virtue ethic, Wesleyan ethics still requires another ethical approach in order to provide a concept of the good (i.e., determine the morality of actions).

20. Option 1: Natural law

21. Option 2: Utilitarianism

22. Option 2: Utilitarianism (cont’d.)