My Ethical Theories Revealed: Virtue Ethics and The Divine Nature Theory

The issues people have with marriages today are very complicated and complex compared to years ago. As humans we turn to philosophy and ethics to help us build guidance to solve moral issues, however there is not always a perfect solution. From all the metaethical theories we learned in this class, Virtue Ethics and the Divine Nature Theory were the most appealing to me. In my essay, I will explain Virtue Ethics and the Divine Nature Theory in detail and link it to martial issues and the complexity of divorce in our society. God is the standard we should look up to and we must conform our inner being in order to follow him.

My metaethical theory combines Virtue Ethics and the Divine Nature Theory. Divine Nature Ethics is also part of the Divine Command Theory. This means God is great and mighty and this is part of his character traits. God is the reason we live today, he created Adam and Eve which began life as we know it today. An example would be, God wouldn’t lie, he is holy and that would be the total opposite of how he wants us to live according to his word, the Bible. Thus, God would not sin, it’s against his Divine nature. Since God is the reason we exist today, how do we as humans live God’s way through morals. According to Romans 3:23, we all fall short of the glory of God and completely miss the mark. We will never be perfect like God; he is the holy one. We are all considered sinners before the debate on Ethics even existed. God gave us many morals to follow in the Bible, an example would be the ten commandments which tells us what to do and what not to do. This also tells us if we do sin that we are guilty of sin against our Divine God and Father. When God created Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, this showed us as believers God is almighty and the powerful one. God also gave us the Holy Spirit to guide our paths and ways along life and to offer guidance if we drifted away from his path and plan in our lives. Through repentance we are offered redemption, and this only happens because of the precious blood our Savior Jesus Christ shed for our sins on the cross. He dies for us and rose again, and he sitith at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus’s disciples we given instructions and morals to follow through the epistles in the Bible. Since God gave us his Divine Nature through Jesus Christ, we are now able to listen and learn and then walk and live according to his commandments. That is the most powerful part of being a Christian, knowing Jesus died so we can live.

According to Jones, the focus of Virtue Ethics is on cultivating one’s inner character. With God and Holy Spirit we are able to learn Christian ways and values and grow with Christ. The complete opposite is to conform to our own selfish desires and the ways of the world. As it is written in 2 Peter to continue to grow in virtue and living a life full of discipline. A saved Christian can live a worldly life and live within God’s ways, but a believer of Christ can also repent and start their life for Christ and grow with him in virtue and character. In Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth”. Just as a parent disciplines his children and directs them to the right path, the Lord teaches us a lesson by convicting us of the wrong we committed. We can follow simple steps listed below to make moral decisions using Virtue Ethics and the Divine Nature Theory.

1. Are you causing anyone harm either emotionally, mentally or physically?
2. Are your actions, deeds, thoughts and words pleasing to God?
3. Do your actions, deeds, thoughts and words show your love for God first?
4. Are you treating others as God the father would treat you?
5. Are you on the path of righteousness to becoming the Christian God wants you to be?

These five questions are the foundation of my metaethical theory. Being a Christian isn’t just a saying or slogan, you have to follow the word of God and walk the life of Christ. At times this will not be easy, and many will fail, however that’s when we need to ask our Heavenly Father for forgiveness. That is why God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our ways in this world. The metaethical theory has flaws and so does Christians. Not everyone is a born-again Christian and would agree with the metaethical theory. Only God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can change ones inner self, if that person allows them too. Being a Christian is more than a saying, it’s a true test of faithfulness to God. God has given us the Bible, his words to live our lives by and preach it to others around us and the world to have other know the precious gift he gave us through his son Jesus Christ. It’s only through God we can be saved and not condemned to an eternally life with Satan. It’s with salvation from God, the metaethics of Virtue Ethics and the Divine Nature Theory is released as people are saved and take the oath of being a Christian and follower of Christ. Unless this happens, the lost souls will seek other ways to make them content in life which is foundation of Ethical Relativism. If those lost souls want eternal life, there is only one path to choose to have that.