The term “amoral” refers to something that is neither moral nor immoral – it simply exists outside the realm of morality altogether. In a biblical context, the concept of amorality raises important questions about the nature of good and evil and humanity’s relationship to divine law.
From a Christian perspective, nothing in creation is truly amoral, since everything was made by God and reflects His attributes in some way. However, because of the Fall, human perspectives are limited and flawed. Things that may seem permissible or neutral to us could still be counter to God’s design. As 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) says, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Our judgment is focused on externals, but God sees the heart and motives behind people’s actions.
Sin has darkened the human mind and led people to call good things evil and evil things good (Isaiah 5:20 ESV). Demonstrating this tendency, humans throughout history have defended clearly immoral practices like oppression, slavery, and sexual immorality by appealing to their “amoral” nature. But God’s Word reveals His unchanging moral standards which transcend human ethical systems.
The Bible speaks against any notion that certain areas of life are “morally neutral”. Paul tells the Corinthian church that everything they do is to be done for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). All their daily activities, even mundane things like eating and drinking, have moral implications. There are no spiritually neutral zones – all of life is to be lived under Jesus Christ’s Lordship.
This does not mean that every action must fit neatly into “moral” and “immoral” categories. There are many life decisions that do not have clear right or wrong answers. God has given believers freedom in areas like food, drink, and observance of religious days (Colossians 2:16-17 ESV). His greater concern is the state of our hearts – whether we act from faith, love God, and build others up (Romans 14:1-4 ESV).
When considering something’s “morality”, we should ask questions like:
- Is this consistent with God’s character and commands?
- Does this promote human flourishing or harm people made in God’s image?
- Can this be done while being fully devoted to Christ, honoring others, and giving thanks to God?
- Will this strengthen or hinder my relationship with God?
Rather than labeling actions as strictly “moral”, “immoral”, or “amoral”, it is better to develop wisdom and discernment to see all of life through the lens of God’s kingdom values. As Romans 12:2 (ESV) instructs, we must no longer be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we can test and approve what God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will is in any given situation.
Human Conscience and Amorality
If amorality claims certain areas of life are exempt from moral scrutiny, then it ignores the reality of the human conscience placed within people by God. According to Romans 2:14-15 (ESV), even Gentiles without the Mosaic law have the law’s requirements written on their hearts and consciences, which witness to right and wrong. Ignoring one’s conscience leads to being “defiled” (Titus 1:15 ESV). So there is an inner moral compass, shaped by God’s truth, that reacts to moral issues – even those not addressed directly in Scripture.
Of course, human conscience is imperfect and requires transformation by God’s Spirit and Word. It can be ignored, misinformed, or “seared” over time (1 Timothy 4:2 ESV). But even in its fallen state, conscience gives a baseline sense that certain acts are clearly wrong. This rules out any area of life being truly amoral or neutral.
God made humans as whole beings whose beliefs and actions cannot be compartmentalized. A Christian cannot act one way six days a week and another on the Sabbath. Paul says whether he eats or drinks or “whatever you do”, do it all for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). There is no area of life that is exempt from honoring Him.
Cultural Relativism and Amorality
Theories of amorality are closely tied to moral relativism – the idea morality is defined by cultural norms rather than any universal standard. This asserts practices considered unethical in one culture may be morally acceptable in another based on different social values and mores. Therefore, over time what is deemed “moral” or “immoral” changes along with cultural attitudes.
By contrast, biblical Christianity claims objective and universal morality based on God’s unchanging righteous character and natural law imprinted on the human heart (see Romans 1:18-32 ESV). This means certain acts like murder, theft, and sexual immorality are wrong across all cultures and time periods. They go against God’s design for human flourishing.
Relativism denies moral absolutes and so struggles to condemn clear evils. This is reflected in progressive Christians treating sexual ethics as a matter of personal choice rather than divine revelation. Amorality claims ethics do not apply in certain areas of life. Both undermine biblical morality grounded in God’s wisdom and human conscience.
Dangers of “Neutral” Spaces
Appealing to moral neutrality is often a means of justifying sin. When tempted, humans try to find “gray areas” not expressly forbidden, using this to excuse disobedience. Eve focused on the fact that eating the fruit was not exactly prohibited even though she knew God’s command in principle (Genesis 3:1-6 ESV). Looking for loopholes can signal a rebellious heart.
Areas claimed to be “amoral” easily become havens for immorality. Sports, business, politics, and entertainment all provide examples of corrupt behavior flourishing when exempted from ethical standards. As Christ-followers we must see all of life under God’s Lordship, being “salt and light” and rejecting compartmentalization between sacred and secular spaces.
Of course, we should be wary of judgments about areas where Scripture is silent. Paul warns leaders against commanding abstinence from certain foods “as though participating should make someone unclean” (Colossians 2:20-23 ESV). Here discretion is required. But this discernment itself involves wisdom and virtue – not an absence of morality.
Ethical Complexities
Aiming for moral perfection in every decision is paralyzing legalism. Human finiteness means our moral reasoning in complex situations is limited. The Bible recognizes life often involves navigating through ethical tensions and tradeoffs between competing goods.
For example, lying to protect someone’s life juxtaposes two moral principles – truth-telling and saving life. Laws permitting deadly force in self-defense counter the commandment not to kill. In these cases, general rules cannot be applied absolutely. Wisdom, prayer, and counsel are required to determine appropriate responses.
Navigating these dilemmas requires discernment – the ability to judge well. Mere rule-following is inadequate. But this discernment itself relies on virtues like love and courage which are inherently moral. There are few truly “right” answers, yet it remains an ethical endeavor. Here amorality reaches its limits.
The Need for Discernment
Because of human finiteness and life’s complexities, wise judgment is needed to assess actions in light of God’s truth and purposes. Christians must nurture discernment rather than appealing to moral neutrality.
Discernment involves understanding God’s general moral principles while considering how they apply in each context. It requires humility about our limited insight into others’ motivations and the intricacies of each situation. Godly discernment is characterized by grace that believes the best about people, resisting harsh judgment (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV).
Navigating modern ethical issues also necessitates recognizing where Scripture leaves room for freedom versus offering clear moral guidance. On issues like environmental stewardship and technology use, believers must humbly reason from biblical principles about human dignity, justice, wisdom, and love.
Reasoning morally about every issue is challenging. But it is a key part of the Christ-like life. The Spirit enables this discernment as we saturate our minds with Scripture, pursue holiness, and humbly follow Christ’s example. This empowers us to make wise ethical choices amid life’s complexity rather than resorting to flawed notions of amorality.
Living as Whole People
The concept of amorality compartmentalizes life in a way that contradicts how God created humans to be integrated wholes. Reason, will, emotions, conscience, relationships, body, and soul all interrelate in complex ways.
This integrated personhood means morality should characterize every sphere of life. Work, play, creativity, sexuality, and all human activities have moral components and should bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). He cares about the everyday details, not just overtly “religious” acts.
Living with moral integrity requires consistency across all of life. We cannot relate to God one way on Sunday and another the rest of the week. In all contexts, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). His Lordship encompasses everything.
Conclusion
The notion of amorality falsely claims certain areas of life are exempt from ethical evaluation. But God’s Word and human conscience reveal morality as all-encompassing. With wisdom and discernment, believers can make choices honoring to God in all contexts. Though complexity makes perfect moral responses impossible, we can live with integrity by God’s grace.
Rather than appealing to moral neutrality, Christians should acknowledge morality’s scope and cultivate discernment through saturating their minds with Scripture. God cares about all of life, not just overtly “religious” acts. By His Spirit, we can honor His holiness and Lordship in everything we do, resisting culture’s compartmentalization between the sacred and the secular.
