What is the impact of certain pre-understandings on any attempt to articulate sound biblical ethics? Socio-cultural conditioned ideas have an enormous influence on how ethics are formulated. This essay wants to explore this hermeneutical reality. The essay promotes awareness of cultural conditioning and cultural varieties.

Interest in the prophetic can be commended. At the same time, however, the prophetic books can and should orient us in important areas of our existence and faith, areas which often has been overlooked. One example is our social ethics. It is ironic that evangelical Christians who are committed to a high view of the authority of the Scripture, have not given this fundamental part of the prophetic message the attention it deserve.