Christian Moral Principles

Question 1

Define theonomous Christian ethics

Answer 1

Ethics are governed by Gods Law / commandments / bible
—> this is because humans are sinful thus morality must be revealed by god himself

Question 2

Timothy 3:16

Answer 2

“All scripture is inspired by god”

Question 3

What is biblicism

Answer 3

Bible = the word of god —> its authors were directly inspired by god

Question 4

Evidence that the bible shouldn’t be taken literally

Answer 4

“If your right eye causes you sin, tear it out” ~ (Matthew 5:29)

—> illustrates dangers of limited understanding of the bible

Question 5

Barth on literalism

Answer 5

bibliolatry

Dangerous as it can give the bible a falsely divine status

Question 6

What is the main issue with theonomous christian ethics + example

Answer 6

Contradictory commands

E.g —> The Old Testament permits retributive justice
“An eye for an eye” ~ (exodus 21:24)

Question 7

Contradictions found in the Old Testament

Answer 7

Allows the death penalty for those who dishonour their parents (exodus 21:15)

Question 8

Heteronomous christian ethics

Answer 8

Ethics are governed by various sources of authority
(biblical, church teaching and human reason)

Question 9

What is the eternal law

Answer 9

Underlying principles of the universe which only god fully knows

Question 10

Divine law

Answer 10

gods law revealed in the bible

Question 11

What are papal encyclical

Answer 11

Letters issues by the pope on a significant topic / teaching
—> has doctrinal authority

Question 12

Magisterium

Answer 12

Official teaching of the (catholic) church

Question 13

What is veritatis splendor

Answer 13

Issued by john paul II
—> states that moral law is knowable by all people, regardless of culture

Question 14

What did Hauerwas argue

Answer 14

exclusivist

Christian Ethics can only be done within the Christian worshipping community

Question 15

Hauerwas view on the role of christian communities

Answer 15

To question societies values
—> not through political campaigns but through practising the Christian social virtues

Question 16

2 problems of sources

Answer 16

1. What are legitimate sources
2. Do some sources have greater authority than others

Question 17

Autonomous christian ethics

Answer 17

Ethics are self governed
—> not by religion

Question 18

What is the significance of Agape in the application of moral decision making’s

Answer 18

For christians, Love is the Motivating factor behind human reason

Question 19

Hans Küng on ethical decision making

Answer 19

Liberal catholic who advocates for greater autonomy in ethical decision making
—> Jesus specifically challenged rule based ethical systems

Question 20

How do protestant thinkers view ethical autonomy

Answer 20

Fletcher —> goodness isn’t revealed by god, it is a condition of being human