For many, personal morality is something left unexamined except in difficult situations which runs contrary to Socrates great admonition. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD.” This examination is healthy but a worthy discipline for every human being. My moral philosophy is derived from a creator God revealed through the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.
This moral philosophy must begin with the nature of myself and all mankind. Humans are created with the imago dei, or image of God, which will have profound impact as I will demonstrate soon. Unfortunately this imago dei is corrupted and leaves mankind dead and incapable of action that leads to God or actions that yield eternal benefit. This is not to say that man is incapable of actions recognized as “good.” It is due to this image that even fallen man is capable of amazing and good acts. This problem is solved through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. To use an analogy, I am not sick and in need of a doctor, or lacking skill and in need of a coach, but rather I was dead and in need of a savior. This transaction, initiated and provided by God, transformed me from the inside out. Simply put I am now free to live for God in the world being transformed day by day to become more like Christ.
This has profound implications for applying this ethic in the organizational realm of the Army. Behaviors spring first and foremost from my identity and ongoing transformation. First among these is the view that all mankind also possess the imago dei. If soldiers, civilians on the battlefield, and enemy combatants all are made in the image of God then my treatment of each with reflect this fact and will necessarily be...
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...le necessarily brigs a refinement in thoughts and actions. All of these actions serve to reinforce my personal virtue which in turn equips me to be a better chaplain for the command and the soldiers I serve.
My Christian moral philosophy is the unifying worldview that shapes both my character and behavior in public and private. This unifying theme allows me to live within the full meaning of integrity. As St. Augustine said, “Pride goes before destruction, and before honor is humility” so I strive continually to work this out on a daily basis in humility.
Works Cited
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Is 1:18). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (1 Ti 4:7–8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Augustine Of Hippo (2013-07-03). City of God (Kindle Location 9575). Fig. Kindle Edition.
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...ties of the people he serves and continues to develop himself in service of others. As a professional, a soldier lives these words through action.
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Understanding this concept could be difficult if one does not realize what it means to have good morals. Morality is the distinction of knowing between right and wrong, good and bad. This judgment happens in everyday activities and can be as small as a little white lie or as big as killing someone. Studies show different ways of one’s morality forming. One way, researchers believe, is from one’s religion and what one believes in. If one is a Christian then they would learn from what God says is right or wrong in The Bible. If one is Islamic, one would believe what Allah says is right and wrong and what is in The Qur’an. One might also learn what is right from wrong from...
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