Abstract
The traditional ethical code of Africa is dominated by two factors, to wit, interpersonal relationships, which include the ancestor spirits, and taboo, which is mainly concerned with respecting the hierarchy of forces. God is hardly a factor in everyday conduct. Biblical ethics, on the other hand, is totally dominated by the idea of and relationship with God. The origin of biblical ethics (creation and redemption), history (God's redemptive acts), content (being God’s image, holy as He is holy), motivation (do as I have done to you), responsibility (both individual and communal responsibility) is directed towards God. Expectation (rewards and sanctions), universality (including all peoples, since God is the Creator of all), internal character (in that thoughts and motives are also judged by God), teaching about property, jurisprudence (placing kings and the lowliest on the same level before God and his law), and work ethic (which is strongly critical of using any magical means) - all of these are God-centred, and therefore sharply distinguished from African ethics which is man-centred. In the New Testament, the distinguishing factor is the new being, who is in Christ, being born again by the Holy Spirit, by which man is conformed to the image of his Redeemer and King. The dominant theme in both Testaments is love, which in African ethics is reserved for one's nearest kin), but in Scripture demanded even for one's enemies.
Highlights
IntroductionThat is the reason why very few economic, political and social principles were spelt out by the New Testament: they had already been spelt out in the Old Testament
Scriptural ethical principles and traditional African ethics were aliens and strangers on earth (Heb. 11:13), and that their citizenship was in heaven (Phil. 3:20)
Characteristics which are inculcated in children in traditional education are those which would facilitate human relationships and prevent disunity in the community, such as respect for authority and seniority, humility, modesty, politeness, friendliness, willingness to compromise, sharing with others what one acquires, helping people in need, hospitality. It is remarkable how many o f these characteristics are recommended in the book of Proverbs
Summary
That is the reason why very few economic, political and social principles were spelt out by the New Testament: they had already been spelt out in the Old Testament. Scriptural ethical principles and traditional African ethics were aliens and strangers on earth (Heb. 11:13), and that their citizenship was in heaven Economical and political ethics, and for the rich revelation of God about Christian ethics to be found there, one has first of all to turn to the Old Testament with its theocratical set-up. The contribution o f the New Testament to Christian ethics is to be found mainly in the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables and motivates God’s people to conform to the image of Christ their Lord. The author does not regard traditional European or even Israelite ethics as superior to traditional African ethics. The fact that European and Israelite ethics are not critisized in this article, does not point towards any admiration for those, but merely means that they fall beyond the scope o f this article
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