There are three different approaches to teaching ethics in churches. Some clergy use all of them at different times and for different issues.

From the biblical text, it is possible to expound text and lead on to application in the contemporary scene. The problem with this approach is that the Bible does not (obviously) deal directly with a topic like artificial reproduction.

Bible principles have to be drawn out from narrative and teaching, and related to God’s character and Christ’s teaching. This is possible, but requires hard work. It also assumes that the preacher is sufficiently familiar with the ethical topic to deal with it relevantly, not superficially. For this, it is sometimes helpful to consult members of the congregation who may be more familiar with the issue (for example, a medical doctor on artificial reproduction).

Psalm 8 speaks of the status of humanity ‘a little lower than the angels.’ Every person is precious, of infinite importance to God, made in his image. The conception of children is a sacred passing on of life from one generation to the next. Infertility, in some cultures seen as a curse, is a sadness because God’s gift of procreative life is so valuable. So, if scientists can assist in procreation through artificial means – as in a petri dish – this serves God’s general purposes.

Using theological themes, it is possible to deduce biblical principles about, for example, the communal nature of the Trinity, which can be applied to a particular ethical dilemma to do with the local neighbourhood, or whether and how the congregation should express community. A problem here is that, without a text, the congregation may be unfamiliar with theological themes, which may need some explaining.

The nature of the Holy Trinity is a basic understanding in Christian doctrine: Father, Son and Spirit collaborating in creation, sustaining the earth, and redemption. It is a mutual cooperation, three persons and one God, working in harmony and community.

Close fellowship of Christians who meet in a local congregation reflect the same harmony and community. They can extend this experience into their residential neighbourhood as a natural extension of what they enjoy together. It would surely bring into the neighbourhood an extra dimension of forgiveness, tolerance, understanding and sharing.

From current issues a preacher can start with the contemporary problem, analyse it for some fundamental principles, and then relate those back to the Bible’s teaching. The problem here is identifying the Christian roots of any specific policy or program in dispute. An example might be: what Christian principle underlies Australia’s foreign aid program?

Australia contributes a percentage of its annual budget to foreign aid, some as subsidies to trade and investment by Australian companies overseas, and some as grants toward nation-building and post-war reconstruction in other countries. A portion of this aid goes also into scholarships for overseas students in Australia.

The rationale for this assistance is that Australia takes its part in the community of nations. A side benefit is friendly relations with Asian countries, which maintains peace and creates a good atmosphere for mutual trade.

A biblical principle behind this is that governments rule for the common good, and are accountable both to God and to the people they serve. The common good would arguably include beneficial trade, peace-making in our Asian environment, and offering our education to others. So, boosting foreign aid would give more opportunity for this. Christians may then quite reasonably campaign for this.

Whatever the method used, it is crucial for preachers these days to be willing to tackle specific ethical issues which face community leaders, for always there are some of those leaders in the congregation.

This way, worshippers sense the relevance of the Faith for their daily lives. And, if the preacher is not technical enough, or has a different view from that of the worshipper, it always gives them something to chat about after service in the church foyer!

[Rev. Alan Nichols has just been appointed vicar of the Anglican parish of St Mark’s Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia. He formerly managed the Christian Resource Unit at World Vision Australia. This article appeared in Grid, Winter 1997, published by Christian Resource Unit, World Vision Australia. Used by permission.]