Autonomy: Fletcher vs Sola Scriptura Flashcards
Question: What criticism does Fletcher face from traditional Christian ethics?
Fletcher faces criticism from traditional Christian ethics
Answer: Fletcher is criticized for his theory of situation ethics, which is seen as not properly Christian because it focuses solely on the command to love (agape), seemingly ignoring many teachings in the Bible that guide ethical judgment.
Question: How do Protestants, influenced by Luther, view ethical judgment?
Fletcher faces criticism from traditional Christian ethics
Answer: Protestants adhere to the principle of ‘sola scriptura,’ which means they believe the Bible alone is the source of moral authority. They argue that ethical decisions should be based strictly on the teachings found within the Bible, rather than relying on individual interpretation of love (agape) in different situations.
Question: What is the core disagreement between Fletcher’s situation ethics and the Protestant view of ‘sola scriptura’?
Fletcher faces criticism from traditional Christian ethics
Answer: The core disagreement lies in the source of moral authority. Fletcher’s situation ethics places emphasis on love (agape) as the guiding principle for ethical decisions, whereas Protestants uphold ‘sola scriptura,’ asserting that ethical judgments must align exclusively with biblical teachings, disregarding individual interpretation of love in ethical dilemmas.
Question: How does Fletcher view the traditional interpretation dilemma of the Bible?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher argues that interpreting the Bible leads to the difficulty of determining whose interpretation is correct, highlighting differing views on passages like the Sermon on the Mount.
Question: What is Fletcher’s criticism of the literal interpretation of the Bible?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher contends that taking the Bible literally poses more challenges than interpreting it, citing examples like “do not resist one who is evil” as problematic for a literalist approach.
Question: According to Fletcher, how should the Bible be viewed in terms of ethics?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher suggests that the Bible should not be seen as a rigid “rules book,” but rather as offering paradigms or suggestions for ethical behavior, aligning with his liberal view of inspiration.
Question: What is the liberal view of biblical inspiration?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: The liberal view, as advocated by Fletcher, holds that the Bible is not the perfect word of God but contains teachings that should guide ethical decisions without being seen as strict rules.
Question: How does Fletcher define the principle of agape in relation to ethics?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher argues that ethical decisions should prioritize agape, or love, suggesting that actions that maximize love are permissible, regardless of traditional biblical prohibitions.
Question: What does Fletcher propose as an alternative to legalistic interpretations of the Bible?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher proposes that ethical teachings in the Bible, such as those in the Sermon on the Mount, should be seen as paradigms or suggestions rather than absolute rules.
Question: Why does Fletcher reject viewing certain biblical teachings as unbreakable rules?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher believes that maximizing agape should take precedence over strict adherence to biblical rules, suggesting a more flexible approach to ethical decision-making.
Question: How does Fletcher reconcile his views with traditional Christian teachings on morality?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher argues that his approach aligns with the spirit of Christian teachings by emphasizing love (agape) as the guiding principle of ethical behavior.
Question: What example does Fletcher use to illustrate the impracticality of a literalist approach to the Bible?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher mentions the commandment “do not resist one who is evil” as an example of a teaching that poses challenges when taken literally in everyday life.
Question: What term does Fletcher use to describe the Bible’s role in guiding ethical decisions?
Fletcher responds with his liberal view of the Bible.
Answer: Fletcher describes the Bible as providing paradigms or suggestions for ethical behavior rather than strict rules, advocating for a nuanced interpretation based on the principle of agape.
