Christian Moral Principles Flashcards
What are the epistles
Letters to the early churches that contain key teaching
What are the three ways to read and interpret the bible
- Literalist approach where everything is true and he Holy Spirit was acting through the authors
- Conservative approach where the writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit but some consideration for the writers context
- Liberal approach, inspirational book that tells the story of christianity but isn’t authoritative
What is said in Timothy that enforces the bibles authority
It states the bible is ‘god breathed’ that he is the author of all scripture so it cant be wrong
Why are christians literalists
The bible isn’t a set of complete rules but rather a literary piece about gods people and how they live that can be interpreted by christians today
What did Calvin say about the bible
The bible as a whole points towards the eternal word of god in Jesus, and that it is in perfect harmony with the catholic churches teachings
What do some Christians argue is the reason the bible isn’t written by god
It is written by so many different authors with different styles who end up contradicting each other in parts
What is the example of the bible contradicting itself
In mark Jesus is strictly against divorce and remarriage but in Matthew he permits divorce when there is sexual immorality
Reasons why the bible is a comprehensive moral guide
- Makes sense that god would give his people a way to understand and live
- Just because bibles moral guidelines aren’t in line with modern thinking doesn’t take them wrong
- Bible is a form of revelation so should be obeyed
reasons why the bible is not a comprehensive moral guide
- All gods words cant be expressed using human language so other forms of interpretation are needed
- It doesn’t over many modern ethical issues like where life begins so cant be comprehensive
- Bible reflects societies of the past which are outdated so it cant be comprehensive
- Conflicting commands and different writing styles
How does William Spohn criticise authoritative use of the bible
Cant be interpreted in isolation because it stems from the views and traditions of the society in which it was written - hermeneutics of suspicion
How does Hays criticise authoritative use of the bible
Bible cant be interpreted in a vacuum but is shaped by the church
How does Messer support authorative use of the bible
Guidance in the bible is found not just in commandments but in stories and role models
how does Mouw support authoritative use of the bible
There can be parallels drawn between history in the bible and current day issues
What did Jesus see love as
An unconditional love that comes from god and comes from within, it is sacrificial and challenging
evidence of Jesus view of love
Jesus cared for and included many outcasts at the time like lepers and women which shows his sacrificial unconditional love
Agape
Unconditional love
What does book John say about love
Love comes from god so chrsitinas must reflect this
How do people believe we should follow Jesus example
Jesus rejected forms of legalism and authority in favour of always prioritising unconditional love as a basis for human ethic, WWJD reflects this.
What else is illustrated as important in the Agape approach
Human reason is vital in making decisions, it is a god given ability so must have an everyday use. suggesting there is no inherent right and wrong only interpretation
—-> some things are inherently wring like killing babies
Who else Ethics support the idea of agape in christian ethics
Joseph Fletcher
Why is it wrong to suggest using agape is a catch for Christinas being able to do what they want
It is fundamentally about using reason to decide what moral guideline should be carried out and which broken
Reasons why the principle of love is sufficient in christian ethics
- Love when properly understood is complex enough to have a complete ethical system
- Agape ensures christians always put people first which is as Jesus did and a good approach
- Jesus is the ultimate role model so Christians should follow him and his central principle was love
Reasons why principle of love is not sufficient in Christian ethics
- Over simplistic to reduce Jesus teachings to love, wisdom justice
- Agape is an unrealistic ideal and love is interpreted differently by all humans
- It relies too heavily on human understanding and reason, it is a vague idea
- consequentialist so difficult to predict future
- Jesus didn’t break moral laws but conventions and traditions
How does Pope Francis support but also criticise the principle of love
support - Reminds people on emphasis on love in christian teachings criticising rigid legalism
critique - Love is central in christian life but not as a moral guideline but a character trait of all good christians
How does Robinson support Agape
‘Man come of Age’ suggest humans are mature and developed enough to make ethical decisions for themselves using agape
How does Tillich support Agape
defends the power of human reason enforcing that agape can be used
Heteremony
Use of bible, church and reason
Theonomy
Use of revelation primarily bible
Autonomy
use of people to figure out right and wrong
What is the view on using just the bible
sola scriptura
What is Barclays criticisms of SE and agape
gives people too much moral freedom which can become dangerous and is vulnerable to manipulation
How does Macquarie criticise agape
SE is incurably individualistic
How does Mouw criticise Agape
It Is wrong to prioritise one biblical principle in agape over the others like obeying god and wisdom
What was the foundation of the church
Jesus passed his authority and mission to his disciples who formed the first Christina churches so the tradition of Jesus has been passed on and is still present in the church
What is the churches teaching authority called
Magisterium
What is the role of the church
To interpret Christian revelation and then teach in the context of the world it is in
When was the authority of the church questioned
At the time of the reformation when the wrongs and corruption of the church were at a high, selling tickets to heaven
What does catholicism say about the church
It is authoritative
What does Protestantism say about the church
They value the church less as authority placing more authority on the bible
What is papal infallibility
Some statements the pope makes can be infallible so can not be wrong, used during Christina controversy
Encyclicals
Books or letters published by the pope that explain and interpret biblical teachings for present day matters, Pope Francis on environmental matters
Reasons why the church does have authority in Christina ethics
- Second Vatican councils document states the joint authority of Bible and the church
- Apostolic succession
- Christina ethics needs the church community to remain objective in interpreting revelation
- Church is 2000 years of collective wisdom
- Continues Jesus process of reflecting on societal needs and preaching about it
reasons why the church doesn’t have authority in Christian ethics
- Still holds many outdated and oppressive views about abortion and gayness
- Bibles is gods word so any other approach denies his authority
- Church doesn’t have authority but exists to teach about the bible
- God gave reason to people for a reason, not to be spoon fed teachings by church
- Church nowadays would be condemned by Jesus as being too legalistic
Apostolic succession
The popes and bishops inherit the authority from the apostles and therefore christ
Hw does Ruether criticise the church
It is shaped by patriarchy and alienates women
How does Martin Luther criticise the church
Criticised corrupt of the church in paying indulgences for shortened purgatory, 95 theses
Reasons why Christian ethics are personal
- Each decision is unique and situational so chrsitians must apply themselves to that situation
- Christian ethics must exercise god given ability of reason and free will
- Ethics comes from rules, it is down to each individuals how they form their ethic by following or disobeying rules
Reasons why Christian ethics are communal
- Church and reason should be sued as tools to interpret bible to find Christina ethics, communal protestant idea
- Christian community is more than just gatherings, they are trying to bring about gods kingdom by all acting as he wishes
- Early christians were communal in prayer and worship
- Jesus had a focus on community with his followers, praying with them
- individual reasoning can be mistaken
How does Bonhoeffer argue Christian ethics are communal
His community at finkenwalde was focused on communal bible interpretation as he thought collective interpretation would eliminate subjectivity.
Propositional revelation
God reveals himself to the world through truth statements in the bible so no more is needed
Difference between christianity and eastern religions
Christianity has more focus on scripture and the revelation within them but eastern religions have more focus on experiences and practice
Non-Propostional revelation
God doesn’t reveal himself in truth statements so the revelation needs interpretation
Reasons why Christian ethics is distinctive
- Christianity isn’t a religion of rules but one of Jesus Christs message in his actions in the world as he is ultimate revelation
- agape is a distinctive idea
Reasons why Christian ethics are not distinctive
- Chrisitians who take the bible as authoritative only follow rules like other religions
- Ten Commandments and ideas of love are similar to all basic ethics, like don’t kill
- All ethics aim for a peaceful society
