The authority of religious ethics, in particular such as those of Judeo-Christian ethics, stems from a god that is:

• A. Present in nature
• B. Never questioned
• C. Willful and rational
• D. A reflection of each individual

Answer: (C)

Religious ethics draw its authority from a God who is a rational, willing agent. In Judeo-Christian thought, moral duties come from God’s commands because He is not only capable of choosing what is right (will) but also of formulating a coherent, universal order (rational nature). This combination makes moral rules binding and intelligible: they are commands grounded in a divine rationality, not mere personal opinions or vague natural tendencies.

Choosing morality “present in nature” shifts the ground to natural properties rather than a personal, authoritative source. Saying morality is “never questioned” ignores that believers engage in reasoning and interpretation of divine guidance. Describing morality as a “reflection of each individual” pushes toward moral relativism, which contradicts the idea of a universal divine standard. Hence, a God who is both willful and rational best captures how religious ethics secure objective, authoritative moral norms.