📖 Biblical Definition
Scripture rejects the premise that outcomes determine morality. God's law defines what is right and wrong independent of results. When Uzzah steadied the Ark to prevent it from falling -- a seemingly good outcome -- God struck Him dead because the act itself violated His command (2 Samuel 6:6-7). Paul directly addresses the consequentialist argument: "And why not do evil that good may come? -- as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just" (Romans 3:8). Abraham's lie about Sarah, Rahab's deception, David's census -- in each case, Scripture evaluates the act against God's standard, not by its result. The biblical ethic is deontological at its core: obey God's commands and trust Him with the outcomes.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Not found in Webster 1828 (modern philosophical term).
expand to see more
The term "consequentialism" is a modern coinage in ethical philosophy, not present in Webster 1828. However, the underlying idea -- that results determine rightness -- is as old as the serpent's argument in the Garden: eat the fruit and you will become like God. The promise of a desirable outcome was used to justify disobedience to a clear command. This is consequentialism in its original form.
📖 Key Scripture
• Romans 3:8 — "And why not do evil that good may come? -- as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just."
• 2 Samuel 6:6-7 — "Uzzah put out His hand to the ark of God and took hold of it... and God struck Him down there."
• Proverbs 14:12 — "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
• Isaiah 5:20 — "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Consequentialism drives pragmatic compromise in the church: "If it works, it must be right."
expand to see more
Consequentialism is the unspoken ethic of the modern church growth movement. If a method fills seats, it is deemed good -- regardless of whether it compromises biblical worship, dilutes the gospel, or entertains rather than edifies. The logic is always the same: "Look at the results!" But God does not evaluate faithfulness by attendance numbers. He evaluates it by obedience to His Word. In the broader culture, consequentialism undergirds abortion ("it will prevent suffering"), euthanasia ("it ends pain"), and situational ethics generally. The moment you allow outcomes to define morality, every atrocity can be justified by pointing to the "greater good" it supposedly serves.
Usage
• "Consequentialism says the ends justify the means -- Paul says 'why not do evil that good may come?' and condemns the logic entirely (Romans 3:8)."
• "The church growth movement is consequentialism in action: if it fills the building, it must be from God."
• "God does not ask 'Did it work?' He asks 'Did you obey?'"