Christian moral principles Flashcards
What must you know for Christian moral principles
The bible as the only source
The bible, church and reasoning as the sources
Love as the source
What is Theonomous Christian Ethics
Places God in the centre, humans are so sinful that we cannot live morally and make the correct decisions, we need the bible
What is Heteronomous Christian Ethics
There are several sources to which we can gain understanding; the bible, the church, preists
What is Autonomous Christian Ethics
Authority is placed on the person, a Christian decides Christian ethics, they help make moral decisions using love
What are points that the bible should be the only source
In the bible it states that all scriptures are ‘God-breathed’ and useful for teaching. This means the entire bible, not just the chosen ones.
However, some claim that the bible has contradictions, outdated viewpoints, several authors and translations which could’ve lost original meaning
What are points that the bible, church and reason should be the sources
Some see more than the bible is required to make moral decisions
The Church is used. But that has problems such as constant changes within the Church such as allowing gay marriage when being completely unaccepting before, is the bible a permanent thing or does it change with society?
Using reason is also helpful, Thomas Aquinas argue that we can use our conscience to understand right from wrong (natural law).
It is had to determine true authority though
What are the points about Heteronomous ethics
Heteronomous ethics means to gain moral principles through several sources, but this as issues such as, what if two views have different opinions? which one do we agree with?
What are the points for love being the only ethical principle (Autonomous)
Jesus states that the law is love
Joseph Fletcher also saw love as a main principle of his theory, love is the central aspect of everything, it is person centred and had many connections to Jesus.
Is Autonomous ethics sufficient to live a good life
Yes as it fundamental to human emotion
Yes as it follows our instincts
Yes as it is always relevant to the situation
No as it is too simple
No as it can be interpretated differently
No as it can be used as an excuse
