This theory assumes that God is the source of all morality; He can change the moral rule simply by His will.
Hinman in his book Ethics: a Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory also added that:
Moral decisions are ultimately made on the basis of what God commands, not on what reason tells us. We have to turn to God for the answer to all
our questions about how to act. No matter what God commands, it is right just because God commands it 1994: 98.
In brief, according to this theory, moral decisions are based on God’s command. Human being must act just like what God commanded and the action are
definitely right simply just because God has commanded it. Thus, this theory believes that to say that God is good is as simple as to say
“what God wills are God wills”. Human beings are not able to know the reasons behind God wills. Therefore, human beings must accept God’s command on faith.
Lack of faith is shown if human beings question or need independent nonreligious reasons for accepting God’s command Boss, 2000: 154.
4. Christian Morality
Kohmescher stated in his book Catholicism Today that “Morality has reference to the way a person acts in order to attain the goal of human living as set
down by God, the creator itself” 1990: 150. Human beings will act in moral manner when they know that their action will lead them to their life’s goal.
Jesus Christ came to this mortal world preaching the kingdom of God, but to be a member of Christ’s kingdom we have to change our way of life, which is
including our ideals, attitudes, principles, and behavior patterns. To be the 15
follower of Jesus Christ we are demanded to love others and to give up our lives for others.
It cannot be denied that laws are a good guide for human beings to act normally under normal circumstances, but as we grow up, we have to be
responsible for something we do. We have to make a good decision in many particular cases. It is very clear stated in The New Testament that “Christ called us
to love not to observe laws”, therefore, a good Christian “who has a good grasp of love and the demands it makes should be well equipped to make good decision”.
This means that a good Christian will do all the best for the sake of God and others.
Christ’s teaching is an ideal ethic for Christians. Christ never gave us minimum standard to be followed. He told us to be perfect just like God – our
creator – who gave us certain talent, which must be used to the fullest. As human beings, we realize that we might not be able to gain the fullness of the ideal, but
we must never give up, we always strive to do our best until we can be perfect just like our Father in Heaven Kohmescher, 1990: 150-152.
Bernard Häring in The Idea of Catholicism stated that focus on Christ and on the Kingdom of God result in the morality and responsibility before God. The
foundation of our imitation of Christ is our union of grace with Him. Life imitation in love and obedience is the proof of our existential union with Christ. In
love, we unite ourselves to His Person of Word made flesh and in obedience we unite to His teaching. The followers of Christ must actively receive Jesus’ words
and give personal response by following the example of Christ according to the 16
