6.2 How should we live? Flashcards
Christian codes for living
The core values of Christian ethics are extrapolated from the life and teachings of Jesus; forming the foundation of a moral life.
The relationship of the teaching of Jesus to that of Judaism at that time
- Jesus intensified and universalised the Jewish Law of the first century.
- Followed the rabbinic method of biblical exegesis, Midrash, and his use of parables would have been familiar to his Jewish listeners.
- Jesus’s ethical code was not new; it grew out of the Jewish moral code found in the Torah (e.g. love of neighbour is based on Leviticus)
The impact of his teachings on Christian moral codes for living
- Throughout the centuries, theologians have merged different moral theories with Jesus’s ethics, for example, Aquinas’ natural law.
- Moral philosophers continue to study the ministry of Jesus and have developed ethical theories such as situation ethics.
- Jesus’ ethical teachings form the basis of Christian moral decision making on issues such as equality and pluralism.
Criticism of ‘morality that is based on scripture’
- Jesus’ ethical teachings belong to the world of first-century Judaism and not contemporary society. Treating them as timeless moral principles leads to problems of interpretation, rendering them unreliable.
- Morality evolves and so should not be derived from scripture.
Dawkins criticism
- Dawkins argues that Jesus did not derive his ethics from his own scriptures e.g. He departed from the command to not work on the Sabbath and healed people - so he is a model for the thesis that morality should not be derived from scriptures.
Pluralism
The belief that different world views are equally valid; it can be defined as ‘respecting the otherness of others’. Freedom and tolerance are key values. Religious pluralism accepts there are different paths to God.
Matera on the Sermon on the Plain
Observes that Luke offers ‘a distinctively Christian ethic’
Marshall on the Sermon on the Plain
`Comments that Luke’s sermon is more concerned with the needs of the downtrodden and giving warnings to the prosperous, rather than spiritual virtues and there rewards as found in Matthew.
Scholars acceptance of ethical teachings from the Sermon on the Plain
- Luke’s sermon has a more universal message reflecting the interests of the Gentiles compared to the distinctively Jewish nature of Matthew’s sermon.
- Matthew focuses on righteousness and the Law compared with love of enemies, not judging others and the concerns of the poor and persecuted.
Theme One of Sermon - The reversal of fortunes in the kingdom of God
In his first Sermon Jesus said he had come to bring good news to the poor. This theme is continued in the Sermon on the Plain.
- In the blessings, the reversal of fortunes that will occur in the Kingdom of God are revealed e.g. the poor will become rich and the persecuted will have cause to rejoice.
Matera’s view on The reversal of fortunes in the kingdom of God
Views it as a call to the rich and powerful to evaluate their moral behaviour. This is still relevant today and has inspired many people to tackle the inequalities in the world e.g. poverty and persecution
Theme Two of the Sermon - Love for enemies and the Golden Rule
Jesus builds on Jewish ethics and clarifies them:
- Universalises specific laws given in the Torah e.g. if you find an enemy’s ox you should return it to love your enemies
- through the Golden Rule, which goes beyond the principle of reciprocity seen in Jewish Law :
- J points out it is easy to love those who love you, but it is not an indication of moral character as even sinners do this.
- Treating others as you would like to be treated regardless of how they have treated you, is true compassion.
The ethical teaching of Jesus from the parables in Luke’s Gospel.
The focus of study on
- The parable of the good Samaritan
- The parables of the lost
- The rich man and Lazarus
looks at the moral teachings of Jesus and their impact on Christian ethics today.
Marshall on Luke’s parables.
