Easter College

Teacher Education Department

Easter School Rd., Guisad Central, Baguio City

A Module
For the Subject

CE 2
Christian Ethics
Second Semester
A.Y. 2020-2021

Prepared by:
Balalao, Allan C.
Instructor

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 Easter College
Teacher Education Department

Easter School Road, Guisad, Baguio City

Module I (Unit 1)

 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake
you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Course: CE 2

Course Title: Christian Ethics

Course Schedule:

Course Description:
This course immerses the students in an open discussion, reflection, and study of the Christian Moral
Life; creating and learning skills for enabling moral discernment in the engagement of moral quandies and
issues in the light of the Christian Faith, including matters of human sexuality, health and medical decision-
making, family, economic and ecological justice, the use of force, creation and the environment.
This course is also an attempt to provide learners with a Christian framework of practicing acceptable
values and ethics, leading them to make wise, just, and Godly decisions when they face moral dilemma and
ethical issues in their life.

Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the students would be able to:
1.State the Ten Commandments as explained, summarized, and affirmed by Jesus Christ in his discourse
recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 22:34-40, and Luke 10:27-28.
2. Inwardly digest the Biblical principles applied in making morally informed decisions.
3. Articulate an understanding of the Character of the Christian life as a matter of virtues and practices.
4. Develop the students’ interest in reading the Scriptures, seek the wisdom of such things to make them
stronger, be more confident in articulating their faith, and be good stewards of their life and the rest of God’s
creation, and become able minister of Jesus Christ to their community, family, and other relations.

Course Content: The study will cover Christian behavior and conduct from all aspects, including Christian
responsibility and morality applied to daily living. The study will define the role that Christian ethics can play
in contemporary moral debates and ethical dilemmas. It has strong contemporary (post-modern) dimensions,
focusing on several topics which include among others: Human sexuality, Health Care issues, End of life cases
(Euthanasia, abortion, suicide etc.), violence (terrorism and war), human suffering in relation to economic and
ecological justice, death and dying.

Course Requirement: Advance reading of assigned articles and Biblical passages, quizzes, assignments,
written reflections, research paper on topic of their choice under the suggested lists; watch related movies or
videos.

Course Learning Outcomes: After completing this course, the students should have:
1. Recognized the relevance of in-placed Christian Ethics in their lives as Christian in contemporary society
and culture.

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2. Identified relevant Biblical principles embedded in the Scriptures and apply such principles in their daily
lives.
3. Demonstrated a general knowledge of Biblical Ethics and Christian morality by writing a position paper on
relevant and timely issues affecting the Philippine society, their immediate community, and family.
4. Applied in their daily lives the basic moral teaching of the Bible such as the Decalogue, Jesus’ Summary of
the Law, and Sermon on the Mount or Beatitudes.
5. Reflected on Jesus’ teachings on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7-8), and in His other parables and
discourses related to Christian ethics and morality.
6. Shared their reactions and realizations on how to live their Christian or religious faith in a manner that is
universally accepted by all people.
7. Developed a sense of “loving oneself, while loving others as you love yourself.”

Time Frame: January 21- February 20

Topic 1:
What is Christian Ethics?

Learning Experiences:
A. Objectives:
1. Understand the basic definition of Christian Ethics, morality, and
manners.
2. State the factors which reinforces Christian Ethics and morality.
3. Re-read the Biblical narratives pertaining to the origin of Sin, Temptation, and Punishment to be able to
locate the concept of right and wrong in the light of the Scriptures.
4. Know and understand Moral and Natural Law.
5. Reflect on the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, and how it is relevant and applied in this postmodern
day society.
6. Appreciate the history of Christian Ethics.

B. Class Orientation: State your expectations with this subject. This will help me know your impressions,
assumptions, and initial knowledge about this course. It will also give me the opportunity to know you better
individually.

Let’s check how observant and reflective you are. This activity will help us
begin our subject matter interestingly. Do the following:

1. List down all signages, notices, postings, instructions and reminders that you see/find at/in the:
-Restrooms/Comfort rooms
-Buses, Jeepneys and all PUVs
-Restaurants and eateries, and other public places
-Corridors of school buildings or business establishments

2. Why do we nee to put notices and reminders on certain places?

3. Do we lack manners? Or Education?

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Use this blank space for your answer:

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 Leveling of Expectation:

First, thank you for those who shared their expectations, assumptions, and
impressions about this course/subject. Most of you assume that CE 2 is another
Biblical Studies. But actually, Christian Education 2 (CE 2) is not another Biblical
Studies. It is CE 1 which you just finished last semester that covers for that. Also,
this is not same as GEC 6 (Ethics) which is more on the Philosophical perspective. This time around, we will
focus more on Biblical ethical principles rather than Biblical information and Philosophical principles. You are
right though, that we will talk about God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible particularly of related stories and
passages that will help us understand ethical and moral codes. We will talk about these as backdrop to our
focus which is “Christian Ethics and Morality” which revolves around “what is right,” and “what is wrong;”
“what is acceptable and what is not,” in the light of the Holy Scriptures.

Secondly, kindly read and re-read the course description and course content on the previous page so that
you will be guided as we go along with this subject.

A. Basic Definition of Ethics

Ethics is defined as a set of moral principles or values; a theory or system
of moral values. Ethics are principles of conduct, i.e., what is good and
what is bad, what is right and what is wrong.

B. Ethics vs. Morality

Some mistakenly use the terms “ethics” and “moral” interchangeably, but they are nor the same. The
term “morals” comes from the Latin word “mores” meaning “custom or habit.” Morals are what people do.
The word “ethics” is from the Greek word “ethos” meaning a standard or rule; a norm. In contrast to
morals, ethics communicates the idea of what ought to do, whereas morals are what they actually do.
In Christian perspective, Ethics is faith translated into action. It is living it out according to biblical
facts and principles, not just having knowledge of them. Christian Ethics is Christ centered, and focuses on the
ethical teachings of Jesus Christ.

Point of Reflection: The Ten Commandments states that; “We shall honor our parents, we shall not kill, we
shall not steal, we shall not tell lies and so on”…but observe yourself. Do you lie? Do you obey your parents?
What about Christians who support war? Who do abortion? Who uses drugs and other harmful vices? What
about corrupt leaders? And many other bad things committed by people, yes even those who so called
themselves “Christians.” So, the question is, do Christians really obey and follow Christian ethical principles?

C. Why do we study Christian Ethics?

1. Because all people make moral and ethical decisions every day.
2. Because all people need the light that it throws on our daily problems and decisions.
3. Because it stimulates personal spiritual growth. Ethics supplies the standard by which believers can
measure their own spiritual growth and development.
4. Because Jesus’ teaching was ethical as well as theological.
5. Because every decision is made according to some ethics, i.e., some standard or norm.

Agents and factors that reinforces Human Morality:

1. Family- our parents are our first moral guide in the concept of what is right and what is wrong. As they say,
“Charity begins at Home.”
2. Church- morality is reinforced by the teachings of the Church e.g. Ten Commandments
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3. Community- the community we live reinforces our morality by the shared understanding of what is
acceptable and what is punishable. Example could be barangay ordinances on peace and order, like
observance of curfew hour etc.
4. Education- we learn information, knowledge skills, and also good manners and right conduct in school
5. Culture-our culture also shapes our understanding of what is right and what is wrong through our
indigenous beliefs, customs, and traditions. A concrete example of this is the concept of “lawa” (bad or
wrong), and “inayan” or “paneyew” among the Igorots. And the concept of “karma” among the lowland
Filipinos.
6. Human reason (free will in theology)- of course, our God given insight and intelligence (brain and
conscience) helps us discern what is bad and what is good.

The importance and relevance of in-placed or defined Ethics in the family, community, and society in
general:
1. Peace and unity
2. Decency and order
3. Harmonious relationship
4. Stewardship of God’s creation/environment

D. What about manners?

Manners: - A way of doing something or the way in which a thing is done or happens.
-practice, style, execution, or method (Arts)
-as socially acceptable way of behaving
-behavioral attributes-the way a person behaves toward other people.
Synonyms: demeanor, deportment, behavior, conduct
(http://www.thefreedictionay.com/manners)

Required Reading: Read and understand the Good Manners and Right Conduct Act of 2017, and write your
summary in 4-5 sentences on the lines provided below:

Revival of Good Manners and Right Conduct Act of 2017

This bill seeks to revive GMRC and to include it as one of the separate subjects in the revived K-12 program in
basic education.

The necessity for such revival stems from the observation that the youth of today has a surplus of role models
for their behaviour owing to the information explosion in this age of the internet. Modernization in a
globalized village almost always results to confusion in the minds of our youth as the variety of influences
make them vulnerable to the pervasive effects of pop culture which challenge the inculcation of the basic
tents of the promotion and observance of respect for oneself, others, and our elders, as well as the teaching
of the values of patience, perseverance, industry, honesty and good faith in dealing with other human beings.

In view such occurrence, it may be prudent to introduce in the curriculum a “set menu” of lessons on good
manners and right conduct so as to better guide our youth in facing contemporary society.

Thus, the passage of this bill is very much needed as it is very timely.

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HOUSE BILL NO. 6705

AN ACT TO REVIVE GOOD MANNERS AND RIGHT CONDUCT (GMRC) AS A SEPARATE SUBJECT IN THE BASIC
EDUCATION CURRICULUM

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro. Jr.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION I. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Revival of Good Manners and Right Conduct Act of 2017.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the Stale to recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-
building and to promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

SECT ION 3. Inclusion as A Separate Subject in the Curriculum of Basic Education Good Manners and Right
Conduct (GMRC). – The Department of Education (DepEd) is herein tasked to include as a separate subject in
the curriculum of the present K to 12 program in basic education Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC)
which shall inculcate among our students the basic tenets of the promotion and observance of respect for
oneself others, and our elders, as well as the teaching of the values of patience, perseverance, industry,
honesty and good faith in dealing with other human beings.

SECTION 4. Funding. – An initial budget of Twenty Million Pesos (P20.000.000.00) is hereby allocated for this
Act. The funds necessary to carry out the provision of this Act shall be included in the Genera) Appropriation
Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules. The Department of Education (DepEd), is hereby tasked to jointly formulate
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause —If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the other provisions not affected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees or rules inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION. 8 Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.

HOUSE BILL NO. 6705 HISTORY

FULL TITLE : AN ACT TO REVIVE GOOD MANNERS AND RIGHT CONDUCT (GMRC) AS A SEPARATE SUBJECT IN THE BASIC
EDUCATION CURRICULUM
PRINCIPAL AUTHOR/S : BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.
DATE FILED : 2017-11-22
SIGNIFICANCE: NATIONAL
CO-AUTHORS (Journal Entries) : 1. Bravo (M.) (000 2018-01-30) 2. Sy-Alvarado (000 2017-12-11)
ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES: REFERRAL TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE ON
2017-11-28

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Write your summary here:
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To ensure that we are on track and we understand what we are talking about
in this lesson, do the reflective activities by answering the questions below.
This will be graded with the following rubrics:
1. Grammar (spelling, tenses, and subject-verb agreement are properly observed) – 5
2. Insightful content (shows accurate and deep understanding; perceptive) – 10
3. Coherence- (shows quality of being logical and consistent) - 5
Total points: 20 points (each)

1. Read and observe the picture

and write a brief essay about it.
What do you think about it?
Does it make sense to you?
Why?

2. Narrate an actual incident where you encountered issues about manners (bad manners) which you
think are not acceptable to you. In other words, are there incidents where you felt “nabastos” or
by-passed or your feelings are hurt because some people have done an unacceptable thing/action
to you. Or the other way around, was there a time when you were scolded because of your poor
manners or absence of it?

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You may use the blank page below:

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 Topic 2: Determinants of Morality

To start our lesson, kindly do this activity:

If you were given a chance to interview God, what questions would you ask Him?
Why?

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Kindly read the article below then answer the questions afterwards:
An Interview with God
Anonymous

I dream I had an interview with God. “Come in,” God said. “So, you would like to interview me?” “If you have
the time,” I said.

God smiled and said: “My time is eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind
to ask me?” “What surprises You most about mankind?”

God answered: “That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children
again.

“That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by
thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor for
the future.” “That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived…”

God’s hands took mine, and we were silent for a while and then I asked…”As a parent, what are some life’s
lessons You want Your children to learn?”

God replied with a smile: “To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who
they have in their lives. To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged
individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis! To learn that a rich person is not the
one who has the most, but one who needs the least.”

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“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in person we love, and that it takes many
years to heal them. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness. To learn that there are persons that love
them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. To learn that two people can look at the same thing
and see it totally differently. To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them…and
likes them anyway. To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to
forgive themselves.”

I sat there for a while enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for His time and for all that He has done for me
and my family, and He replied, “Anytime, I’m here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me, and I’ll
answer.”
Source: http://www.appleseed.org/interview _God.htm

A. Answer the following questions:

1. When He was interviewed, why did God say that it is not enough for Him to do everything?
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2. What surprises God most about humankind?

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3. What are some life’s lessons God want His children to learn?
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4. What is the most valuable lesson God wants His children to learn about living their lives?
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5. Which of the responses of God hit you most in this interview with Him? Why?
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 B. Explain the meaning of the following statements:

1. They are in a rush to grow up, and then long to become children again.
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2. They lose their health to make money. And then lose money to restore their health.
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3. To forgive is by practicing forgiveness.

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4. Money can buy everything but happiness.
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5. Two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.
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In the midst of great turmoil and radicalism, we need stable, persistent, and
refreshing spiritual and moral thoughts that will abreast us in the morning,
refresh us through the day, and give us a sense of confidence for a lifetime.
The path of life these days is often exhausting and barren of ideals. Alongside the path runs a stream of
refreshing thought of morality, as we receive every inward and outward trouble of our daily lives.
Man is endowed with conscience (the basis of morality; the ability of man to make judgment about what he
did; the warning signal that God gave man so that he/she would know if something is wrong that needs to be
fixed or repaired), a basis of his dignity where God and man’s freedom meet. Human dignity is laid upon the
ability or capacity of the human person to love God and make a better choice of action.

These are the determinants of an action whether it is moral or immoral:

1. The object- This refers to the matter of human act, or that which is actually done. The object chosen
specifies the act of the will as far as reason determines if the act done is in conformity with the true
good. Going to the church, praising God, or eating meat may be viewed as an act of an object. To
praise God is good, and to blaspheme God is bad. The act may be good, and the object specified must
be free from all defect in order to be good, or at least indifferent.

For example, the object of murder is the taking of an innocent life. Murder is objectively wrong, and thus the
taking of an innocent life is never morally good. No intention or circumstances can make it to be otherwise,
and this is because of its basis in reality itself. It is the eternal law, which we are created under, that
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establishes this objective moral order, and we and our actions are, by our very creation, subject to this eternal
law.

However, the subjective nature of us as human may reduce the culpability of our action if we do not know
that the object of our action is morally evil. While this cannot change the objective nature of the act, one may
be more or less morally responsible for the good or evil of the action based on one’s knowledge of the
objective character of the act.

2. The End or Purpose (Intention) – This refers to the subject of an action, or motive for which the agent acts.
While a wrong intention can make a morally good act subjectively wrong and cause culpability in the agent, a
good intention can never make an objectively evil act to be good. The end does not justify the means.

All intentions should be in conformity to the objective truth, and again this is to be found in the eternal law.
Humans first of all find this “written in their hearts” and this participation of the rational creature in the
eternal law is called the natural law. Conscience is closely related to this, as it is a judgment of reason. Our
intentions, then, must be in conformity with our conscience. Besides the natural law, we also have the
revealed truths from God, and we are obligated to form our conscience in accordance with both. Our
culpability in this is only known perfectly by God.

3. The Circumstances- These include the consequences. These contribute to the increasing and diminishing of
the moral goodness or evilness of human act. The circumstances of place, person, and time have their part in
determining the morality of an act. The Moral character of an act can be affected by the circumstances that
an act may be good in itself and may be bad when accompanied with certain circumstances. For example, it is
good to give food to the hungry, but if the hungry is morally weak and the food is bad or already expired
which can cause health problem to the person, the act may be considered evil.

But take note, if the good effects directly intended in an act of evil effects are predicted as likely to result, the
act is permissible/permitted unless it fulfils the following conditions:

1. The evil effect is not intended directly.

2. The intended good effect is not produced by way of the evil but the good that comes from it.
3. The good intended exceeds the bad or evil effects.
4. The doer of the action may not be under the obligation of averting the evil.
Source: Moral Philosophy by Charles Coppins, S.J.

To better understand the lesson, we also need to know the following concepts:

The Bible contains God’s moral standards. He has given man conscience to tell what is
right from wrong. Whenever you hear good and bad things, this entails judgment and choice.

A law is formulated by a competent authority in order to serve as guide and to promote world peace.
Natural law refers to what we call ethics. It is a set of principles based on what are assumed to be the
permanent characteristics of human nature, which can serve as basis of conduct and civil laws.

Natural moral law includes theories that declare a natural order to the world that all men should abide by.
Natural law originated from Aristotle’s philosophy during ancient Greece and later developed by Thomas
Aquinas. Aquinas considered that man uses his reason to reflect and discover his specific purpose, and by

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discovering it he could then work out how to achieve it. Man’s understanding of God’s plan for him, built
into man’s nature at creation, is called the natural law.
Moral law is God’s fatherly command and set of rules that lead man to heaven. It implies a rational order of
nature by which creatures can fain their ultimate goal in life. According to Tertullian, “Among all the animals,
only man was worthy to receive a law from God to govern his conduct by using his freedom and will.

The Ten Commandments are an expression of the divine and natural law. While based on the insight of St.
Augustine, “rules are written in the book of that light, which we call [the] truth, and are imprinted on the
heart of man as a seal upon wax.” He added that, “the natural law is nothing other than the light of
understanding placed in us by God; through it we know what we must do and what we must avoid.”

Civil Law or positive law refers to the legal system used in many countries. It is a set of laws governing a
nation. An example of this is the constitution, which contains fundamental or basic laws of a country.

Based from the lesson, answer the following questions:

1. What is the importance of the Ten Commandments? Explain.

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2. How will you determine if an act is morally good?

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3. How can you promote a high standard of ethics?

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4.What do you think is the best way to live a moral life?

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5. Why must one live a moral life?

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Note:
Prepare for a summative quiz to be scheduled on the first week of February covering all the lesson from
topics 1 and 2. This will also serve as your review for the prelim exam.

---------end of Module 1--------

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  It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake
you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

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