What Are Biblical Values?

1. Biblical values are complex and often contradictory

The Bible testifies not only to innocent victims and to the God of victims but also to the hungry God who models violent behavior and the zeal of his human agents.

Diverse perspectives. The Bible contains a wide range of viewpoints on ethical issues, often in tension with each other. This diversity reflects the Bible's composition over centuries by multiple authors in different historical contexts. The Hebrew Bible includes laws, prophetic oracles, wisdom literature, and narratives that sometimes conflict. The New Testament adds further complexity with its reinterpretation of Jewish traditions in light of Jesus.

Ongoing debate. Rather than providing a single, coherent set of values, the Bible often presents opposing views in dialogue. For example, the Books of Job and Ecclesiastes challenge traditional notions of divine justice found elsewhere. The Gospels show Jesus reinterpreting or critiquing aspects of Jewish law. This internal debate means readers must wrestle with competing claims rather than finding easy answers.

Need for interpretation. Because of this complexity, deriving ethical guidance from the Bible requires careful interpretation. Readers must consider historical context, literary genre, and the broader theological frameworks of different biblical authors. Simplistic proof-texting often leads to misunderstanding. Responsible interpretation involves weighing different biblical perspectives and considering how they might apply to contemporary issues.

2. The Bible does not support a universal "right to life"

At no point does the Bible condemn the practice of slavery. We find condemnation of abuses, to be sure, but no calls for the abolition of slavery as a social practice.

Sanctioned violence. The Bible frequently portrays God commanding or approving of violence, including the slaughter of entire populations during the conquest of Canaan. Capital punishment is prescribed for a wide range of offenses in biblical law. While there are also calls to preserve life, the idea of an inviolable right to life is not found in Scripture.

Abortion not explicitly addressed. Despite being a major contemporary issue, abortion is never directly discussed in the Bible. Some passages value fetal life, while others seem to treat it as less than fully human. The lack of clear prohibitions suggests it was not a major ethical concern for biblical authors.

Life belongs to God. The biblical worldview sees human life as belonging ultimately to God rather than being an inherent individual right. This allows for divinely sanctioned taking of life in certain circumstances. The modern concept of universal human rights developed much later and is not found in the Bible.

3. Gender and sexuality in the Bible are more nuanced than often portrayed

Genesis 1 envisions binary gender and accords both male and female the status of "image of God."

Evolving views. Biblical attitudes toward gender roles and sexuality vary across different texts and time periods. While patriarchal assumptions are common, some passages affirm women's dignity and leadership. The creation accounts present conflicting views of gender relations.

Limited concepts. Modern notions of sexual orientation were unknown to biblical authors. Same-sex relations are addressed only a few times, mainly negatively, but these passages require careful contextual interpretation. The Bible does not present a comprehensive sexual ethic applicable to all situations.

Key biblical passages on sexuality:

• Genesis 1-2: Creation of male and female
• Leviticus 18:22, 20:13: Prohibitions on male same-sex relations
• Romans 1:26-27: Paul's critique of same-sex behavior
• Galatians 3:28: "No longer male and female" in Christ

4. Biblical views on marriage and family evolved over time

If Jesus' sayings about turning the other cheek and loving one's enemy are predicated on the expectation of an apocalyptic judgment, they may not be as radically different from Jewish apocalyptic ideas as is usually thought.

Diverse models. The Bible presents multiple models of marriage and family structure, including polygamy, levirate marriage, and concubinage. Monogamous marriage becomes more prominent in later texts, but is not the only accepted form.

Jesus' radical stance. The Gospels portray Jesus taking a stricter view on divorce than was common in his time, while also relativizing family ties in light of the coming Kingdom of God. This creates tension between family values and radical discipleship.

Paul's perspective. Paul's teachings on marriage reflect an expectation of Christ's imminent return, leading him to prefer celibacy while still affirming marriage. His household codes in later letters aim to make Christian families acceptable to Greco-Roman society.

5. Environmental stewardship has roots in biblical tradition

The sabbatical laws have a practical rationale. In an era before chemical fertilizers, crop rotation was essential to preserve the land.

Creation care. While the Bible grants humans dominion over nature, it also emphasizes responsible stewardship. The creation accounts portray humans as caretakers of the garden. Sabbath laws mandate rest not only for humans but also for land and animals.

Prophetic critique. The Hebrew prophets link environmental degradation to human sin and injustice. They envision cosmic renewal as part of God's future restoration.

New Testament tension. Jesus' teachings emphasize detachment from worldly concerns, which can be interpreted as indifference to environmental issues. However, Paul speaks of all creation groaning for redemption, suggesting a more holistic view of salvation.

6. The Bible's stance on slavery is problematic for modern readers

Neither the Law nor the Prophets dispensed Christians from most ritual law, including the food laws that are still observed by Jews. There is still much in the Bible that is easily applicable to the modern world, but it is well to remember that it was not written with our situation in mind.

Acceptance of institution. Both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament accept slavery as a social reality without calling for its abolition. Biblical laws regulate rather than prohibit the practice.

Limited protections. Some biblical texts provide certain protections for slaves, especially Israelite debt-slaves. However, these fall far short of modern human rights standards.

New Testament ambivalence. Paul's letters reflect tension between affirming spiritual equality in Christ and maintaining existing social hierarchies. The letter to Philemon deals tactfully with a specific case involving a slave.

Historical impact. Biblical acceptance of slavery was used to justify the practice in Christian societies for centuries. Abolitionists had to argue against the plain meaning of many texts.

7. Biblical attitudes toward violence are mixed and context-dependent

Apocalyptic fantasies can serve to create a sense of crisis where crisis is not generally perceived.

Divine violence. The Bible often portrays God using violence to accomplish his purposes, from the Flood to the conquest of Canaan to eschatological judgment. This raises difficult theological and ethical questions.

Human violence. Biblical attitudes toward human violence vary:

• Some texts endorse violence against enemies
• Others restrict violence or call for peace
• Prophets critique violence and injustice
• Jesus teaches nonviolence but expects eschatological judgment

Apocalyptic imagery. Later biblical texts, especially Revelation, use vivid violent imagery to express hope for divine justice. This has sometimes inspired real-world violence.

8. Social justice is a central theme in the Hebrew Bible

For the Hebrew Bible, no value is more central or fundamental than the demand for social justice.

Prophetic critique. The Hebrew prophets forcefully condemn economic exploitation, corruption, and mistreatment of the vulnerable. They see social injustice as a primary cause of divine judgment.

Legal protections. Biblical law includes provisions to protect the poor, widows, orphans, and resident aliens. It mandates regular debt forgiveness and limits on economic inequality.

Divine concern. The Bible consistently portrays God as especially concerned for the oppressed and marginalized. This grounds ethical demands in theology.

9. The New Testament reframes social justice in light of apocalyptic expectations

Apocalyptic expectation here is a great leveler, undermining the importance attached to societal distinctions.

Jesus' teaching. The Gospels show Jesus continuing the prophetic tradition of social critique while also relativizing earthly status in light of the coming Kingdom of God.

Early church practices. Acts portrays the early Jerusalem church practicing a form of voluntary communalism based on eschatological expectation.

Paul's perspective. Paul's letters reflect tension between affirming social equality in Christ and maintaining existing hierarchies given the expected imminence of Christ's return.

10. Biblical authority requires critical interpretation and ethical responsibility

Biblical values must be sifted and evaluated, and the Bible itself provides broad criteria by which to do so.

Not simplistic rules. The Bible cannot be treated as a simple rulebook for modern ethics. Its diverse perspectives and historical distance require careful interpretation.

Ethical responsibility. Readers must take responsibility for how they apply biblical teachings rather than claiming "the Bible says" as if texts speak for themselves.

Ongoing dialogue. The Bible's internal debates model an approach of continual ethical reflection rather than fixed answers. Modern readers must continue this process of critical engagement.

Last updated: July 22, 2024