Christian Moral Principles

Question 1

What are theonomous christian ethics?

Answer 1

the view that all ethics are governed by God’s command alone

Question 2

What are heteronomous christian ethics?

Answer 2

the view that ethics are governed by several sources of authority

Question 3

What are autonomous christian ethics?

Answer 3

the view that ethics are self-governed

Question 4

Sola scriptura

Answer 4

a term that means ‘only scripture’ - the view that the bible should be the only source of moral authority for Christian ethical reasoning

Question 5

Apostolic tradition

Answer 5

the accumulated moral teachings of the roman catholic church

Question 6

What are papal encyclicals?

Answer 6

letters issued by the Pope to senior clergy on some significant topic or teaching

Question 7

Whats an advantage of theonomous christian ethics?

Answer 7

believers know that they can trust and rely on what the bible says and it gives the right answer whenever ethical guidance is required

Question 8

What are some disadvantage of theonomous christian ethics?

Answer 8

• Barth - he warned against interpreting the bible literally because that would give the bible a divine status, putting it on a level with God himself
• contraditions in the bible - Exodus 21:24 ‘eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ contradicted by Jesus telling us to love our enemies in Mattew 5:44
• the issue of literalism - some passages are not meant to be taken literally, e.g. Matthew 5:29 ‘if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away’

Question 9

What is Hauerwas’ view on Christian ethics?

Answer 9

• Christian ethics can only take place within the christian worshipping community
• everyone baptised must become the fullest member of the church

Question 10

Apostolic succession

Answer 10

the roman catholic belief that the pope has authority of Jesus, and that this has beenhanded down since Jesus appointed Peter as the first pope

Question 11

How can Christian ethis be seen as personal?

Answer 11

• each person has to read scripture and apply it yo their lives in a certain way - all situations are personal
• humans ave been given free will so we can use our individual reason to follow rules

Question 12

How can Christian ethis be seen as communal?

Answer 12

Jesus is a model for Chrsitians and he worked with the community so maybe Christians should work with those who need love in the community like Jesus did

Question 13

Why does Aquinas argue that Chrsitian ethics are distinctive?

Answer 13

all human reason is corrupt, so we need the bibles rules to live morally

Question 14

Why does Fletcher argue that Chrsitian ethics aren’t distinctive?

Answer 14

did not believe there were any ethical absolutes, therefore he did not think the bible gave moral rules

Question 15

How could you argue the bible is a comprehensive moral guide?

Answer 15

• it is the word of God so it is infallible and must be used as moral instruction on how we live our lives
• in many cases the bible has provided society with wise moral instuctions, e.g. ‘do not murder’
• the bible contains teachings from Jesus, and Jesus has been proclaimed as the son of God meaning he is divine and obtains a high level of authority, therefore any teaching he provided should be used as a moral guide

Question 16

How could you argue the bible isn’t a comprehensive moral guide?

Answer 16

• God’s words cannot be fully expressed in today’s modern language meaning it would require some form of biblicism in order for Christians to understand
• its not up to date with modern society
• alot of the teachings are not acceptable in mordern society, e.g. ‘eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’
  Fletcher would aregue that sola sciptura is too ridged

Question 17

How can the principle of love be sufficient to live a good life?

Answer 17

• Tillich felt that love needs carful explanation because it is not just love, but love with a backbone of justice as well as the love of compassion and forgivness
• agape is a simple rule - Fletcher argues that this simple rule brings positive outcomes, maintains justice and also puts the needs of others first
• Fletcher argues that Jesus seemed to apply the principle of love when teaching others how to live a good life

Question 18

How can the principle of love not be sufficient to live a good life?

Answer 18

• it is over simplistic to suggest that Jesus’ teaching were just about love
• without further guidence bishop John Robinson claims that ‘it will descend into moral chaos’
• love can motivate people to be selfish and individualistic