Christian moral principles - heteronomous

Question 1

Protestant/Catholic on church authority

Answer 1

P - Church’s interpretation of the Bible over time should guide people
C - Church authority was given to Peter by Jesus and it existed even before the Bible

Question 2

Issues with approach of Church authority

Answer 2

Suggests humans cannot live morally without authority
Church authority has caused problems - ie cause of the Reformation
Corruption in Church leaders suggest they are fallible
How do we determine when to take the Bible at face value and when to go to the Church for interpretation?

Question 3

Using reason - Catholics

Answer 3

Largely based on natural law theory
They also give authority to the conscience (again, using Aquinas’ approach)
Newman said the conscience predates the Church and so has more authority

Question 4

Using reason - Protestant

Answer 4

Reason is required to interpret the Bible and to place into a modern context
The Bible still holds authority but reason is needed as well

Question 5

Weaknesses of heteronomous approach

Answer 5

Have revelation and faith been undermined
In a disagreement, which is the final authority - Church or Bible?