Ethics and the Application of Scripture

How should Christians apply the Bible to subjects never directly addressed in its pages? How should we think about topics like economic structures, energy policy, medical policy, stem cell research, etc?

We should note that  the Christian worldview addresses all these moral issues. Some seem to believe that Christian form ‘moral’ beliefs only on those issues directly touched upon in Scripture. But view should be reconsidered. Christians believe (whether stated explicitly in works on moral theology [ethics], or functionally in how much ‘practical’ issues are addressed) that the Bible applies to all of life, but  in nuanced ways. For some issues, the text is rather clear and straightforward (‘You shall not commit murder,’ etc), on other issues the authority of Scripture is applied by asking what are it’s implications.

Here’s an example of the latter. Jesus, Paul, or anybody else in the Bible naturally never spoke about road safety. Why? I think we both know the answer. So, how can the Bible address issues such as this?  Well, for one, the Bible says that we such obey our governments insofar as they do not demand something that God has forbidden. Setting a speed limit violates no Biblical injunction, so we should follow them. Secondly, the Bible also command that we regard human life as sacred because they are created in the image of God. This causes me to study and note the things that I could possibly do in a car that would injure or harm another person in any way (and to learn to avoid these things). If this includes getting it tuned up regularly, etc., these are things that I do in order to honor God and to honor fellow human beings created in His image. So, in a nutshell, it’s my conviction of biblical authority that causes me to study these others things, not shy away from them. The same would apply to energy policy, medical ethics, etc.