Christian moral principle Flashcards

(21 cards)

1
Q

Why do conservative and fundamental christians believe the Bible is literal and should not be interpreted? (Biblical evidence)

A

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Christians are clearly taught that the Bible is ‘God-Breathed’ - God is the author of all that is in scripture and the Bible therefore cannot be wrong

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2
Q

Reasons why the Bible does need interpreting

A

-It was written over the course of around 1000 years, in vastly different cultural, linguistic and historical settings

-The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and every translation involves interpretation. Some words and phrases have no exact equivalent in modern languages, requiring translators to make interpretive decisions

-for example:
The Hebrew word “yom” (translated as “day” in Genesis 1) can mean a 24-hour day, but it can also refer to a longer, indeterminate period of time.

-Contradictions in the Bible, for example, Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 describe the order of creation differently. Interpreting these texts with an emphasis on their theological meaning rather than exact historical or scientific accuracy resolves these tensions.

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3
Q

Define Heteronomy

A

Moral authority comes from the combination of Church, Bible and reason. this is mainly a Catholic view

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4
Q

This topic is about the theological debate over what is the source of moral principles for Christians. There are three main views:

A

1)Heteronomy
2)Theonomy
3)Autonomy

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5
Q

Define Theonomy

A

Moral authority comes from God, which we access through God’s revelation in the Bible. This often involves suggesting the Church has less authority than the Bible. This is typically a protestant view.

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6
Q

Define Autonomy

A

Individual people have to figure out for themselves what is right or wrong. E.g. situation ethics.

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7
Q

The Bible cannot be the only source of Christian authority

A
  • conscience and learning can allow us to know what is good/bad/right/wrong
  • the Bible cannot be said to be comprehensive and so reason allows Christians to consider biblical ideas and develop them according to what is known about the contemporary world
  • moral authority can also be found in teachings of Church tradition where theologians have continued to develop Christian principles in new circumstances
  • some Christian scholars argue that the Bible is descriptive and not prescriptive; it is not the word of God as such but a collection of different experiences which are very diverse and offer no definitive set of commands.
  • Conscience is often seen as God-given, allowing individuals to discern right from wrong (e.g., Aquinas’ view of conscience as the application of reason to moral decision-making).
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8
Q

The catholic teaching of moral principles

A

encyclicals are published by the pope which explain the relevance of Biblical teachings for the current day. For example, pope Francis has published on environmental issues

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9
Q

Define sola scriptura

A

(Latin for ‘ by scripture alone ‘) is a Christian theological doctrine held by most Protestant Christian denominations, in particular the Lutheran and Reformed traditions, that posits the Bible as the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice

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10
Q

Fletchers view on relying on the Bible for authority

A

we have three options with the bible:
Take it literally (which is impossible)
View it as needing interpretation (which leads to everyone having their own interpretation).
Fletcher’s option is that he concludes that we can’t follow the Bible as a perfect set list of ‘legalistic’ commands. The best Christians can do is follow the most important theme of the bible – which is Agape.

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11
Q

What is conscience often defined as?

A

An inner voice -perhaps of God - which helps a person know right from wrong both before and after they make an ethical decision. For Catholic’s, the conscience is reason in action, making right decisions. Conscience needs to be developed for Catholics, therefore, so that it is easier to make right decisions.

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12
Q

Distinguish the two forms of revelation

A

1)Propositional revelation: the idea that the way God reveals himself to the world is through truth statements - statements that can be followed directly. If this is true, and the Bible is a set of truth statements, then the arguably, ethics does not need to go beyond what’s in the Bible.
2)Non-propositional revelation: the idea that God does not reveal himself through truth statements. This would mean that the Bible requires interpretation - by human reason, the Church or both

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13
Q

Are Christian ethics communal or personal?

A

Partly communal but mostly personal. We all have God given reason (‘ratio’) and free will and so Christain ethics should come out of this reality

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14
Q

Bible quote that suggests Christian ethics are personal

A

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6)

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15
Q

What suggests that Christain ethics are personal?

Include Bible quote

A
  • judgetment is not communal it is personal: “So each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
  • You are not judged as part of a nation, church, or society — but for your own actions.
  • Ethics are therefore about individual responsibility.
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16
Q

Would would Nietzsche say about whether the Church has authority in an indiviudal christian’s ethics?

A
  • He famously declared that “god is dead.” The idea is that religion no longer plays a very significant role in western culture, we have seen through its illusions, and we need to find the meaning of life without invoking gods.
  • Nietzsche thinks we must create our own values, we must reject conventional, religious values [“slave morality”] and exert our will to power [“master morality”].
17
Q

Reasons why Christian ethics are distinctive?

Two reasons

A
  • They are rooted in the person and teachings of Jesus: Christian ethics centers on Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection as the ultimate revelation of God’s will e.g. ther sermon on the mount and his radical teachings
  • Focuses on love (agape) making Christian ethics relational rather than rule-bound; This love calls for self-sacrifice, forgiveness of enemies, and care for the marginalized in ways that often contrast with other ethical systems.
18
Q

Christian ethics are distinctive: the trinity

A
  • Christians believe ethical living is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who guides, and transforms believers internally.
  • This spiritual empowerment is distinctive—it’s not just following rules but a change of heart and character
19
Q

Christian ethics are distinctive: social barriers

A
  • Christian ethics promotes love and care for all people, including enemies, strangers, and the marginalized.
  • The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) exemplifies this inclusivity, breaking down ethnic and social barriers.
20
Q

Christian ethics are distinctive: The Kingdom of God

A
  • Christian ethics is framed by the vision of the Kingdom of God, a new reality where justice, peace, and righteousness prevail.
  • This eschatological hope shapes ethical choices in the present.
  • Those who follow the ways of Jesus will be rewarded in the afterlife; summon bonum (the highest good)
21
Q

Christian ethics are distinctive: the holy spirit elaboration

A
  • Unlike many ethical systems that focus on external obedience to moral laws, Christian ethics emphasizes an inner transformation.
  • The Holy Spirit works within believers’ hearts and minds to renew their desires, attitudes, and motivations.
  • This means ethics isn’t just about doing the right thing but becoming a new kind of person who naturally desires to do good (Romans 12:2).