J. S. Mill on the Catholic Church, sola scriptura, the distinctness of Christian morality and Agape

Question 1

Question: According to J.S. Mill, did Jesus and the Apostles intend the New Testament to be a complete system of morals?

Answer 1

Answer: No, Mill argued that the New Testament refers to the pre-existing morality of the Old Testament and often corrects or supersedes it.

Question 2

Answer: No, Mill argued that the New Testament refers to the pre-existing morality of the Old Testament and often corrects or supersedes it.

Answer 2

Answer: Mill suggests that sola scriptura is against the ideals of Christ and the Apostle Paul, as it undermines the broader context and adaptations of Christian morals.

Question 3

Answer: Mill suggests that sola scriptura is against the ideals of Christ and the Apostle Paul, as it undermines the broader context and adaptations of Christian morals.

Answer 3

Answer: Mill describes them as very general and often impossible to interpret literally, lacking the precision of legislation and resembling poetry, thus requiring interpretation.

Question 4

Question: What is Mill’s criticism of the Old Testament moral system?

Answer 4

Answer: Mill criticizes the Old Testament for having a precise but elaborate system that he views as barbarous and intended only for a less civilized people.

Question 5

Question: According to Mill, who built up what is called Christian morality in the 19th century?

Answer 5

Answer: Mill argues that Christian morality was built up by the Catholic Church during the first 5 centuries, with protestants only partially reversing Catholic influences from the Middle Ages.

Question 6

Question: What does Mill argue about the improving influence of other ethical systems on Christian morality?

Answer 6

Answer: Mill argues that Christian morality requires the improving influence of other ethical systems to overcome its faults and limitations.

Question 7

Question: How does Mill characterize the motive behind Christian morality?

Answer 7

Answer: Mill suggests that Christian morality focuses too much on abstinence from evil rather than an energetic pursuit of good, with ‘thou shalt not’ outweighing ‘thou shalt’.

Question 8

Question: What does Mill claim about the motives of heaven and hell in Christian morality?

Answer 8

Answer: Mill argues that the hope of heaven and the fear of hell give Christian morality an essentially selfish character, unlike the virtues taught by ancient Greek philosophers.

Question 9

Question: According to Mill, what type of obedience does Christian ethics promote?

Answer 9

Answer: Mill claims that Christian ethics promote passive obedience, making people submissive to authority and more likely to endure mistreatment.

Question 10

Question: How does Mill view the faults in Christian ethics?

Answer 10

Answer: Mill argues that the faults in Christian ethics are largely the fault of the Church and are not essential to Christian ethics itself.

Question 11

Question: What does Mill propose as a solution to the problems of Christian morality?

Answer 11

Answer: Mill proposes that Christian ethics should not be seen as distinctive but as one among many ethical systems, which would help solve its inherent problems.

Question 12

Question: What does Mill mean by stating, “a large portion of the noblest and most valuable moral teaching has been the work… of men who knew and rejected, the Christian faith”?

Answer 12

Answer: Mill suggests that much valuable moral teaching has come from individuals who were not Christians or who rejected Christianity.

Question 13

Question: How does Mill criticize the protestant approach of sola scriptura?

Answer 13

Answer: Mill argues that sola scriptura does not go far enough in addressing the broader context and adaptations needed in Christian ethics, which requires engagement with other ethical systems.

Question 14

Question: How does Mill’s view of Christian ethics differ from Fletcher’s approach to agape?

Answer 14

Answer: Mill’s view focuses on integrating Christian ethics with other ethical systems, while Fletcher’s approach relativizes Christian moral principles to agape as the central guiding principle.

Question 15

Question: What challenges does Mill identify in Christian ethics related to heaven and hell as motivations?

Answer 15

Answer: Mill argues that using heaven and hell as motivations for virtue makes Christian ethics appear selfish and less noble compared to other ethical teachings.

Question 16

Question: How does Mill criticize the emphasis on passive obedience in Christian ethics?

Answer 16

Answer: Mill criticizes the emphasis on passive obedience, arguing that it encourages submission to authority rather than active moral engagement.

Question 17

Question: What does Mill believe is necessary for Christian ethics to overcome its perceived faults?

Answer 17

Answer: Mill believes that Christian ethics must engage with and learn from other ethical systems to overcome its perceived faults and limitations.

Question 18

Question: What solution does Mill propose for addressing the alleged shortcomings of Christian ethics?

Answer 18

Answer: Mill proposes that Christian ethics should be viewed as part of a broader ethical dialogue, integrating insights from other ethical traditions.

Question 19

Question: According to Mill, what is the role of the Catholic Church in shaping Christian ethics?

Answer 19

Answer: Mill argues that the Catholic Church played a significant role in shaping Christian ethics during the early centuries, influencing its development and teachings.

Question 20

Question: How does Mill’s critique of Christian ethics challenge traditional views of morality?

Answer 20

Answer: Mill challenges traditional views by arguing that Christian ethics should not be considered uniquely authoritative but should be evaluated alongside other ethical frameworks.