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Christian moral principles Flashcards

1
Q

Define theonomous ethics

A

ethics based solely on God’s laws or commands, and therefore decision making is based purely on scripture

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2
Q

What term means ‘by scripture alone’?

A

sola scripture

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3
Q

Explain a non-propositional approach to scripture

A

The Bible as a whole is an overall message, and Christians who take this approach should not be overly concerned with following each rule to the letter. Jesus’ teachings have to be understood in his culture at the time, and his overall message should be followed

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4
Q

Explain a propositional approach

A

Accepts the Bible as a direct message from God- word for word. Every word has a fixed meaning that should be followed directly.

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5
Q

Give 2 quotes that why Christians who take a theonomous approach may believe the Bible is inerrant

A

2 Timothy- ‘all scripture is inspired by God’

Jeremiah- ‘I have put my words in your mouth’

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6
Q

How does theonomous ethics differ in the new and old testament?

A

Old- much more apodictic (clear, straightforward, indisputable, self-explanatory) commands eg the 10 commandments
New- Jesus teaches about morality through parables, stories, examples etc. People would most likely look towards the Sermon on the Mount for guidance, where Jesus reinterpreted and reestablished laws from the Old testament

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7
Q

Give 6 strengths of theonomous ethics

A
  1. Believing the Bible is the literal word of God gives direct and UNQUESTIONABLE guidance, making it perfect and clear when applied to decision making
  2. Offers a COMBINATION of exact laws and examples (parables etc), meaning Christians have clear rules and an understanding of how to apply them
  3. Absolute, STRAIGHTFORWARD
  4. NT teachings about how to apply laws makes it
    RELEVANT to todays world
  5. Theonomous ethics is SUPPORTED by many saint and biblical writers
  6. The Bible contains over 6000 YEARS worth of wisdom and morality

(refute last 2- an accumulation of opinions if fallible)

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8
Q

Give 6 weakness of theonomous ethics

A
  1. Contains a huge number of CONTRADICTIONS- according to the principle of non-contradiction, it is therefore impossible for the Bible to be inerrant
  2. Relies heavily on human INTERPRETATION of the source, leading to errors and confusion]
  3. ‘BIBLIOLATRY’- can lead to worship of the Bible rather than worship of God
  4. NOT SUFFICIENT- modern topics are not discussed eg drone warfare, cloning
  5. OUTDATED- don’t fit with modern understanding on ethics and human rights
  6. Only using the Bible IGNORES TRADITION and human reasoning over thousands of years
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9
Q

Define heteronomous ethics

A

based on several sources of authority

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10
Q

What sources does heteronomous ethics consist of in the Catholic Church?

A 
Papal encyclicals ( letters from Pope- infallible)
The Magisterium (church's official teachings)
Natural law and reason
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11
Q

What sources does heteronomous ethics consist of in the Protestant Churches?

A

Primacy of the Bible

Conscience

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12
Q

How would a Catholic use Natural Law to make decisions?

A

Humans naturally know right from wrong due to their innate, god-given ability to reason (natural law).
However, Original Sin makes humans flawed, and so The Magisterium is also a useful tool to check their decision and guide their rationality

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13
Q

What term means scripture first, and explain what it means?

A

Prima scriptura
Scripture is inspired by God, but written by humans meaning it is fallible. Therefore it shouldn’t be the only source of guidance

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14
Q

Give 6 strengths of heteronomous ethics

A
  1. eliminates CONTRADICTIONS
  2. LESS PROBLEMATIC than theonomous, no issue of contradictions
  3. Avoids OUTDATED ideas eg concerning homosexuality
  4. Builds COMMUNITIES, centralises human flourishing
  5. allows for use of accumulated WISDOM
  6. Uses the POPE’s teachings, which are INFALLIBLE, he is God’s representative and so his guidance is valuable
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15
Q

Give 6 weaknesses of heteronomous ethics

A
  1. Uses the reason and conscience of FLAWED HUMANS- too much emphasis on the Pope for example
  2. Conscience can be MISGUIDED and ill-informed
  3. some sources CONTRADICT, and therefore it is difficult to decide which is a PRIORITY
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16
Q

Define autonomous ethics

A

Ethics that are self-governed, based on the overriding principle of love

17
Q

How are Fletcher’s ideas linked with autonomous ethics?

A

Situation ethics- always do the most loving thing
Protestant but became atheist
Goodness isn’t revealed only by God, nor is it intrinsic (ref natural law)

18
Q

How do Kung’s ideas support autonomous ethics?

A

Nothing found in Christian ethics would not be found in any person of good will
‘Global ethics’- minimal consensus concerning binding values, irrevocable standards and fundamental moral attitudes

19
Q

How do Tillich’s ideas support autonomous ethics?

A

Critical of fixed rules, as they are overly concerned with small and irrelevant things rather than the bigger message
Apageic love as taught by Jesus will always lead to the right decision
We must be guided by moral laws and obey them, but ultimately do the most loving thing

20
Q

What did Hauerwaus believe about Christian ethics?

A

Christian ethics can only be practiced in a community
Sermon on the Mount took old laws and applied them to a community, not an individual
Christians must live and practise Christian social virtues

21
Q

Give 6 strengths of autonomous ethics

A
  1. AVOIDS PROBLEMS- eg being outdated or contradictory
  2. JESUS CHALLENGED RULE-based ethics to focus on love (Kung)
  3. Christians can fulfil their duty without being tied to CORRUPT organisations
  4. Tillich’s definition of love also focuses on compassion, justice and forgiveness, all of which society needs more of in order to FLOURISH
  5. Can also be SECULAR
  6. Kung- focus on GLOBAL ETHICS and what really matters, rather than divisions and interpretation issues
22
Q

Give 6 weakness of autonomous ethics

A
  1. Reducing Jesus’ teachings down to just love is too simplistic
  2. In Sermon on the Mount, Jesus acknowledges the importance of the rules in the OT
  3. Too subjective/ relative
  4. Allows rules to be broken selfishly, then claimed to be in the name of love
  5. Mouw- we should not ignore all the other commands God has given
  6. When reduced down to love, Christianity becomes non- distinctive and identical to other religions
23
Q

Suggest what is distinctive about Christian ethics

A

Focus on love and forgiveness, breaks away from the Jewish, more rule-following outlook
Focus on autonomy is distinctive from other faiths
Jesus’ ideas were unique because they were radical and controversial at the time

24
Q

Suggest why Christian ethics may not be considered distinctive

A

Shared with the Jewish OT
Jesus’ Golden Rule of love is found in m nay religions and cultures
Kung argues- all generally good people and Christians alike value love, forgiveness, charity etc

25
Q

Suggest why Christian ethics may be considered communal

A

Catholics ethics are communal and focus on the Church community through the Magisterium by practicing traditions
St Paul wrote about the Christian community being like a body - separate but all connected
Kung and Hauerwaus- ethics must be loved out in thew community- Sermon on the Mount
Heteronomous ethicus encourages a collective decision about right and wrong

26
Q

Suggest why Christian ethics may be considered personal

A

Jesus taught people to disregard the rigid rules of their community
Jesus acted against the ethics of his Jewish community
Based on the conscience of individuals
Salvation is personal

27
Q

Suggest why some may believe the principle of love is sufficient to live a good life

A

Love God and love your neighbour are the main teachings of Christianity
Love underpins all other laws/ guidance
Tillich- christianity has become too concerned with following rules. A return to a love-centred approach will only benefit society
Fletcher- love underpins all other good values

28
Q

Suggest why some may believe the principle of love is not sufficient to live a good life

A

Greater and clearer guidelines are necessary
Subjective and personal- can justify anything
Jesus said we do need to respect and follow laws
Heteronomous ethics allows for us to check moral decisions

29
Q

Suggest why the Bible may be seen as a comprehensive moral guide

A

It contains thousands of years worth of culture, tradition, and influence to guide us
Many moral systems have developed out of it, which are helpful guides in a wide range of moral situations
Can be interpreted in numerous ways meaning it has inexhaustible range
The word of God and therefore the most accurate set of moral guidelines possible

30
Q

Suggest why the Bible may not be seen as a comprehensive moral guide

A

It is outdated, doesn’t cover relevant issues in modern society
Reflects the values of its age, but no longer suitable
Contradicts itself too often
Can be interpreted in too many ways, too subjective and therefore unhelpful

31
Q

Define agape

A

Totally unselfish love for others

32
Q

Define conscience

A

A person’s moral sense of right and wrong

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