RIGHT or WRONG? Three parts of a larger whole?

Posted: 9/15/06

RIGHT or WRONG?
Three parts of a larger whole?

What do you think of the idea that evangelism, spiritual formation and Christian ethics really are not distinct, different matters but three parts of a larger whole?

In the broadest sense, one could say these three areas are just part of the larger whole of the Christian life. However, that would be like saying my brother, my sister and I are just the children of our parents. While the generalization would be true on the surface, it would ignore some very significant differences and individual characteristics.

Evangelism concentrates on the outward expression of our faith with others in an attempt to lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. While evangelism can take different forms, it has a relatively narrow focus, which is directly sharing the gospel. Passages such as Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8 provide the foundation for evangelism.

Spiritual formation, or discipleship, is a more inward, personal process of growth and learning. It focuses on Bible study, prayer, and individual learning and development. Spiritual formation is an educational process in which followers of Christ learn more about their faith, which produces spiritual growth in their lives. A verse often used as a basis of spiritual formation is 2 Timothy 2:15.

Christian ethics is a broader field that emphasizes the totality of living a Christ-like life. 1 John 2:6 reminds us that anyone who claims to be a Christian must act and live as Jesus did. Although this fad has passed, Christian ethics is vitally concerned with the question, “What would Jesus do?”

This incorporates many aspects. Since Jesus boldly shared the gospel, Christian ethics involves evangelism. Since Jesus modeled a pattern of spiritual growth and development, spiritual formation is a part of Christian ethics. But Jesus also fed the hungry, healed the sick, had compassion on the poor and had many other ethical aspects of his life. He went about doing good. In the Sermon on the Mount, he commanded his disciples to be the salt and light of the world. These all are crucial components of Christian ethics. Christian ethics thus provides a large umbrella of Christian development under which many other aspects find a place.

Christian ethics involves both being and doing the Christian life. It emphasizes the process of becoming like Christ in both who we are and what we do. Christian ethics will not let either side of the equation be ignored. It concerns not only our inward development, but also our outward actions.

Christian ethics also is involved in setting the standards for living our lives. It focuses not just on who we are and what we do, but who we ought to be and what we ought to do. It is a constant pull toward the holiness of God. This tension continually leads us to be and do more than we have before. It incorporates standards for both the individual aspects of personal life and the corporate aspects of God’s kingdom as a whole.

Christian ethics forces us to engage the world as Jesus did. In addition to evangelism and spiritual growth, it means social action, personal compassion, taking stands on moral issues, involvement in governmental affairs and more. Specifically, it addresses issues like abortion, world hunger, taxation, divorce, education, gambling and a myriad of other subjects.

If it is something Jesus would be concerned about, Christian ethics addresses it.

Van Christian, pastor

First Baptist Church

Comanche

Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.