!!core three: Christian Bioethics Flashcards
What are Ethics?
Ethics is a practical application of belief. It is a system by which conduct is determined to be appropriate or not. It is the guiding principles of action.
What is Bioethics?
Bioethics (the ethics of life) is the study of the ethical and moral questions involved in the application of new biological and medical research and technology.
What are some Christian Bioethical issues?
Ethical issues that Christians might have concerns with are cloning, IVF and screening embryos, abortion, euthanasia, stem cell technology and genetic engineering.
The key Christian belief that is challenged in bioethical research is the value or sanctity of human life.
What are Christian Ethics?
The Christian ethical system is based on the Christian’s understanding of their relationship with God, with one’s neighbour and with oneself, and thus actions reflect this)
The importance of Ethics to Christian adherents lies in the guidance that they provide in living each day according to their beliefs.
Sources of Christian Ethics..
The Christian Scriptures contain the Gospels and provide Christians with the teachings of Jesus Christ, which provide ethical guidance… The foundation of Christian ethics can be distilled into these core principles…
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17)
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3 -10)
Jesus’ Commandment of Love (Luke 10:25-27)
What is Natural Law?
Natural law is the law in which humans know certain actions are wrong because they go against human nature.
Thus, this ‘natural law’ is implanted in nature by God so that humans can discern what is right or wrong by the light of their natural or innate reasoning (eg: murder is wrong, hurting the innocent, stealing, rape).
What is Scriptural Law?
God’s revelation through scripture, can be either Jewish or Christian.
What is Church Moral Law?
Based off of Natural Law, Scriptural Law, Jesus and Tradition….
In Protestant Ethics…
A more direct application of Biblical Principles within Protestant Churches. the primary of biblical/scriptural ethical teaching is evident… stems from the Reformation with Martin Luther
In Catholic and Orthodox Ethics…
The fundamental source of ethical guidance for Christians is the Christian Scriptures (ie: New Testament) which contains some of Jesus’ most significant ethical statements. For Example: ‘The requirement to love God with all your heart, soul and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself’ (Luke 10:25-27)… the requirement that love is the basic condition of the Christian life etc…
The Ten Commandments
(Known as the Decalogue) The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2 - 17) are a critical source of ethical guidance for Christians.
Are a succinct summary of Christian and emphasise the importance of human life, the need to be respectful to family and personal integrity.
The Beatitudes
-Describes a life directed toward holiness, The Beatitudes are a foundation of passage for Christian Ethic’s.. (Matthew 5:3 -10)
First noted at the famous and definitive part of the Sermon on the mount which describes a life directed towards holiness…
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The Beatitudes provide a model for the Christian life. They provide a warning against an approach to life which values only material strength and power. The inference is that such values are illusory and temporary and that love is really the only thing that matters.
Jesus’ Commandment of Love
The Golden rule, ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto do’ (Luke 10:25-27), is said to sum up Christian ethics.
Jesus takes the commandment to love your neighbour to a new level because Christians are required not only to love their neighbour but also to love their enemies. … this is the radical nature of Christianity.
QOUTES FOR CHRISTIAN BIOETHICS
