Decision-Making Cases: Choose Only One ✓ Solved

Decision-Making Cases Choose only one of the decision-making

Choose only one of the decision-making cases below to answer questions in the "Ethical Decision-Making" assignment. The questions at the end of each case are intended for you to reflect on. Do not copy the case into your assignment document.

1. Why do Christians believe that morality is absolute and objective, rather than relative and subjective? If morality is objective, where do Christians get their moral standard? Cite Chapter 7 of The Beginning of Wisdom textbook and/or topic overview. Your answer in 75-100 words.

2. Use the case you chose from the "Decision-Making Cases" document to answer the following questions to build the Christian ethical response. Use logical reasoning (general revelation). Cite Bible passages (special revelation), The Beginning of Wisdom textbook, and/or the topic overview. Include the resources you use on a reference page at the end of this document.

a. Which case did you choose?

b. In Chapter 2 of The Beginning of Wisdom textbook and the Topic 1 Overview, the elements of a worldview (ultimate reality, nature of the universe, humanity, knowledge, ethics, purpose) are presented. In the case you chose, which worldview element is going to be the biggest factor for determining right and wrong in the case you chose? Why? Your answer in 75-100 words.

c. How does the Christian worldview describe the worldview element you identified? Your answer in 75-100 words.

d. What are Bible passages (cite at most three) that will guide the ethics for the case you choose? How do these Bible passages apply to this case? Your answer in 75-100 words.

e. Based on your answers to b and c, explain the Christian response to the case you chose. Your answer in 75-100 words.

3. Your previous responses built a Christian ethical stance and provided a Christian resolution for the case. How might this Christian resolution to the issue increase human dignity and human value? Your answer in 50-75 words.

4. The Christian position that humans should flourish comes from belief in the goodness of God. How so? What are the connections between God's goodness and human flourishing? Your answer in 50-75 words.

5. Considering the Christian resolution you built for the case and everyone involved in the scenario, what might be some benefits or unintended consequences that come from this resolution? What might be challenging for people to accept or do? Your answer in 75-100 words.

6. What are some ways that Christians should be active in helping to alleviate the suffering related to this issue? Give specific examples that ordinary people can do. Your answer in 75-100 words.

Paper For Above Instructions

For this assignment, I have chosen the case "The Need to Succeed," focusing on GCU graduate Jamal, who is contemplating inflating numbers at a children's center to secure more funding for the children's program. This case embodies ethical dilemmas faced in professional settings, particularly regarding honesty and morality.

1. Christians assert that morality is absolute and objective, grounded in the nature of God and His revealed word. In biblical teachings, morality is not subject to personal interpretation or cultural influence; instead, it is derived from divine commandments as indicated in Chapter 7 of "The Beginning of Wisdom" (Smith, 2020). Christians believe their moral standards come from biblical texts, emphasizing the faithfulness of God's character as the source of their ethical framework.

2. Chosen case: The Need to Succeed

b. The biggest factor for determining right and wrong in this case is the nature of ethics. Ethical principles dictate that truthfulness and integrity are paramount, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations like children. Jamal's intentions may be noble, but the method he considers violates ethical standards that are absolute according to Christian teaching.

c. The Christian worldview emphasizes that human beings are created in God's image, which inherently bestows value and dignity upon every person. This belief necessitates that actions taken must reflect the intrinsic worth of every child Jamal serves, thus guiding him towards honesty and integrity in reporting numbers.

d. Relevant Bible passages that guide the ethics in this case include Proverbs 11:1, which states, "The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him," and 1 Peter 2:12, which emphasizes living honorably among others. These scriptures stress the importance of honesty and integrity in all dealings, encouraging Jamal to act truthfully.

e. The Christian response to Jamal's situation would advocate for transparency and seeking alternative funding avenues that maintain integrity while serving the greater good. By refusing to inflate numbers, Jamal not only upholds ethical standards but also potentially gains the trust of the community and stakeholders, leading to sustainable support for the children's center.

3. This resolution upholds human dignity by valuing truth and integrity, which fosters an environment of trust. When Jamal chooses honesty, it enhances the community's view of the children's center, emphasizing that the focus is on genuine support and care for the children involved, thus increasing their value as individuals.

4. The Christian belief in God's inherent goodness connects closely to human flourishing. If humanity is created in God's image, then the flourishing of individuals aligns with God's intention for their lives, found in Genesis 1:27. As such, efforts to promote truthfulness and ethical behavior reflect the goodness of God and affirm His designs for humanity's well-being.

5. While Jamal's ethical stance may initially reduce available funding, the long-term benefits include reinforced community trust and potential partnerships based on integrity. However, challenges may arise as some people might resist the idea of sacrificial honesty when immediate needs for resources are pressing.

6. Christians can alleviate suffering related to issues like those faced by Jamal by advocating for genuine philanthropic efforts, organizing fundraising drives that illustrate transparency, and creating awareness about the impact of ethical management in non-profits. Engaging the community through volunteer efforts can highlight the importance of integrity in operations and build support for ethical practices within the sector.

References

• Smith, J. (2020). The Beginning of Wisdom. Grand Canyon University Press.
• The Holy Bible, New International Version.
• Wright, N. T. (2010). Simply Jesus: A new vision of who he was, what he did, and why he matters. HarperOne.
• Lewis, C. S. (2001). Mere Christianity. HarperCollins.
• Plantinga, A. (1994). Warranted Christian Belief. Oxford University Press.
• Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work. Dutton.
• Clouser, R. (2005). The Myth of Religious Neutrality: An essay on the hidden role of religious belief in theories. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Groothuis, D. (2011). Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Classical Christianity. InterVarsity Press.
• Craig, W. L. (2008). Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. Crossway.
• McGrath, A. E. (2011). Christian Theology: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell.