Christian Moral Principles Flashcards
Define theonomous Christian ethics
Ethics are governed by Gods Law / commandments / bible
—> this is because humans are sinful thus morality must be revealed by god himself
Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is inspired by god”
What is biblicism
Bible = the word of god —> its authors were directly inspired by god
Evidence that the bible shouldn’t be taken literally
“If your right eye causes you sin, tear it out” ~ (Matthew 5:29)
—> illustrates dangers of limited understanding of the bible
Barth on literalism
bibliolatry
Dangerous as it can give the bible a falsely divine status
What is the main issue with theonomous christian ethics + example
Contradictory commands
E.g —> The Old Testament permits retributive justice
“An eye for an eye” ~ (exodus 21:24)
Contradictions found in the Old Testament
Allows the death penalty for those who dishonour their parents (exodus 21:15)
Heteronomous christian ethics
Ethics are governed by various sources of authority
(biblical, church teaching and human reason)
What is the eternal law
Underlying principles of the universe which only god fully knows
Divine law
gods law revealed in the bible
What are papal encyclical
Letters issues by the pope on a significant topic / teaching
—> has doctrinal authority
Magisterium
Official teaching of the (catholic) church
What is veritatis splendor
Issued by john paul II
—> states that moral law is knowable by all people, regardless of culture
What did Hauerwas argue
exclusivist
Christian Ethics can only be done within the Christian worshipping community
Hauerwas view on the role of christian communities
To question societies values
—> not through political campaigns but through practising the Christian social virtues
2 problems of sources
- What are legitimate sources
- Do some sources have greater authority than others
Autonomous christian ethics
Ethics are self governed
—> not by religion
What is the significance of Agape in the application of moral decision making’s
For christians, Love is the Motivating factor behind human reason
Hans Küng on ethical decision making
Liberal catholic who advocates for greater autonomy in ethical decision making
—> Jesus specifically challenged rule based ethical systems
How do protestant thinkers view ethical autonomy
Fletcher —> goodness isn’t revealed by god, it is a condition of being human
