Thoughts on the Use of the (Hebrew) Bible in the Assessment of Current Ethical Issues – Part I: The Question of the "Why?"

This study addresses the question why the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible as a whole can be seen as valid and helpful dialogue-partners and guides in the assessment of current ethical issues. It begins with an overview of the broad range of answers that have been given to the question, arguing for a position that views the Bible as an important point of orientation even though in many cases there is no meaningful way to directly “apply” biblical texts, mostly because of the differences between “then” and “now”. An important argument for the usefulness of the Bible can be found in its positive role in shaping ethics and life in societies in which it had a dominating influence in the past.