Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biblical Ethics MIDTERM > Lecture 2 Notes - The Bible and Moral Issues > Flashcards

Lecture 2 Notes - The Bible and Moral Issues Flashcards

1
Q

Definition of Christian ethics

A

Christian ethics can be defined as the theory and regulation of MORAL BEHAVIOR within the context of the COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS as they seek to reflect the NATURE OF GOD in a FALLEN WORLD`.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Moral Authority

A

B. A source (or sources) of moral authority is essential to every system of ethics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Thee Options for Moral Authority

A
  • Prescription-based systems
  • Agent-based systems
  • Mixed systems
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Prescription-Based Systems

A

A system where we have laws, commands, or ideals that are given either in written or spoken within a community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Agent-Based Systems

A

Some agent sets the standard for ethics or standards.

Can be the self, the community as a group, or God.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Mixed Systems

A
  1. Involves the agent and the prescription. This is like God giving the laws and commands to be obeyed.

This is the Christian Ethics system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Two choices for moral authority in Christian Ethics

A
  • Self and community based on our interpretation of given law
  • God Himself (The objective standard)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Weleyan Quadrilateral (4 Sources of Authority)

A
  1. Scripture - The ultimate source of Authority
  2. Tradition - serves undeer scripture
  3. Reason - Our rational capacity to reach a conclusion. Tradition is the collective culmination of reason
  4. Experience - Can be countered by someone elses experience
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

General Revelation

A

“The divine disclosure to all persons at all times and in all places by which humans come to know that God is and what he is like. While not imparting truths necessary for salvation—such as the Trinity, the incarnation, or the atonement—general revelation conveys the conviction that God exists and that he is transcendent, immanent, self-sufficient, eternal, powerful, good, and a hater of evil.” Bruce Demarest

Natural/Universal Revelation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Modes of General Revelation:

A
  • Creation/Universe
  • Conscience - Defends and accuses people even if they do not have the law
  • History - God’s sovreign plan and guidance can be seen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Impact of General Revelation

A

gives us the idea that something is right or wrong without knowing why
- Known as natural law theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Limitations of natural law:

A
  • Discerning the law can be subjective
  • Requires movement from fact to obligation: What is to what ought
  • Distorted ability to reason and understand natural law due to fall
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Special Revelation

A
  1. “The special revelation in sacred history is crowned by the incarnation of the living Word and the inscripturation of the spoken word. The gospel of redemption is therefore not merely a series of abstract theses unrelated to specific historical events; it is the dramatic news that God has acted in saving history, climaxed by the incarnate person and work of Christ (Heb 1:2), for the salvation of lost humankind. . . . The series of sacred acts therefore includes the divine provision of an authoritative canon of writings—the sacred Scriptures—providing a trustworthy source of knowledge of God and of his plan.” Carl F. H. Henry
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Modes of Special Revelation:

A
  • The Word (Christ Himself)

- Scripture (The Written Record)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Role of scripture in ethics:

A

In a biblical ethic, scripture is the norm/standard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

4 Ways Scripture can be used:

A
  • Guide: Points out the route we should take
  • Guard: Warns against wrong decisions
  • Compass: Helps gain orientation, how doe we relate
  • Principle: Application of abstract ideas
17
Q

Calvin’s Threefold use of the Law:

A
  • Mirror for man - reveals sin
  • Restraint of evil - restraint of evil through threat of punishment
  • Guide for Believers - encourages obedience
18
Q

Key terms of Scriptural inerrancy

A
  • Divinely Inspired
  • Truth, without any mixture of errror
  • Totally true and trustworthy
19
Q

Doctrine of Inerrancy Definition:

A

Without error. The original manuscripts.

Does not mean scripture does not intentionally deceive but that it is without error

20
Q

Is the doctrine of inerrance biblical?

A

God is truth.

  • if scripture is inspired by God it must be true
  • If scripture is true in its entirety then it can have no error
  • truth associated with the true triune God
21
Q

Why is inerrancy important to ethics?

A
  • if the scripture is not inerrant it cannot be the norm of moral behavior
  • Without inerrancy we are left to speculate about God’s design for ethics
  • Speculation on God’s nature
22
Q

Sufficiency of Scripture

A
  • Scripture is sufficient for faith and practice in this world
  • Scripture contains the ethical norms we need to make moral decisions.
23
Q

Why did God give us laws and commandments?

A
  • Protection from harm or ourselves
  • To give guidance
  • To show us our sin
24
Q

Context for the 10 Commandments

A
  • The 10 Commandments were given in the midst of the Exodus.
  • They are based upon God’s statement in Ex 20:2: 1. “I am the Lord your God…” Based in God’s self-revelation about who He is and what he has done.
25
Q

10 Commandments

A
  1. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Ex 20:3)
  2. You shall not make for yourself an idol. (Ex 20:4)
  3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. (Ex 20:7)
  4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Ex 20:8)
  5. Honor your father and your mother. (Ex 20:12)
  6. You shall not murder. (Ex 20:13)
  7. You shall not commit adultery. (Ex 20:14)
  8. You shall not steal. (Ex 20:15)
  9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Ex 20:16)
  10. You shall not covet. (Ex 20:17)
26
Q

Euthyphro’s Dilemma (Plato, Euthyphro)

A
  • Are God’s commandments holy because he commanded them? (Commands are arbitrary)
  • Are they holy on their own and that is why God commanded them? (God is subject to external standard)
27
Q

God’s Laws are a reflection of his character

A
  • God’s laws are holy and true because they reflect his moral character, which is holy and true.
  • The power of the law comes from God’s character
  • We reflect God’s character by doing the law.
28
Q

Law Vs Gospel

A
  • Some believe that the OT law no longer applies to Christians.
  • Others hold that the OT laws still apply to all believers.
29
Q

Law Vs Gospel Key Verse

A

Matthew 5:17 - i. “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”

What does the verb πληρόω (“fulfill”) mean?

  1. Used 86 times in NT
  2. Range of meanings include to make full, to complete, to finish, to fulfill, to accomplish
30
Q

Three Views on Law application:

A
  • Discontinuity Position
  • Hyper-Continuty Position
  • Continuity Position
31
Q

Discontinuity Position

A
  1. Only the NT Law is normative for Christians. If it is not in the NT then it is not binding.
  2. If it is not in the NT it isn’t binding
  3. If you happen to do an OT command it is only because it was in the NT
  4. Christ has fulfilled the obligations of the OT law thereby releasing us from that obligation
32
Q

Discontinuity Position Evidence

A

a. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.” Luke 16:16
b. “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom 6:14
c. “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” Gal 5:18

33
Q

Discontinuity Position Problems

A

a. Has difficulty affirming that the law is a reflection of God’s character. Does his character change?
b. It minimizes the fact that most of the 10 commandments are repeated in the NT
c. It has difficulty seeing the unity of the Bible.

34
Q

Hyper-Continuity Position

A
  1. The OT Law is still binding on Christians and should be implemented by civil governments.
  2. Exceptions: Things not relevant due to changes in sanitation or architectural regulations. The laws regarding the sacrificial system are done.
35
Q

Hyper-Continuity Position Evidence

A

a. Some OT civil laws are upheld in NT (1 Cor 5:1; 1 Tim 5:18)
b. The NT affirms the unity of the OT law
i. “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.’” (Gal 3:10)
ii. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” (James 2:10)

36
Q

Hyper-Continuity Position Problems

A

a. Inconsistent approach to the civil law and structure of society. Government should enact the OT law except for the ones that aren’t relevant.
b. No longer a Hebrew theocracy in which to enact the OT civil law
c. The NT appears to abrogate some of the OT civil laws (Peter’s vision of food)
d. Creates real problems for contemporary church/state relations. Who has authority?

37
Q

Continuity Position

A
  1. Divides OT law into three categories— Ceremonial, Civil, Moral
    a. Ceremonial laws relate to the sacrificial system and worship. All the laws that pointed to Christ’s redemptive work were fulfilled by Jesus.
    b. Civil laws relate to the governance of the Hebrew theocracy.
    c. Moral laws reflect and demand conformity to God’s character. These are the laws written on man’s heart (Rom 2:14–15).
  2. Gives this position the ability to say there is both continuity and discontinuity. The moral law is still binding.
38
Q

Continuity Position Evidence

A

a. NT gives evidence that ceremonial law has been fulfilled.
i. Tearing of the veil in the temple (Matt 27:51)
ii. Purity of all food (Acts 10:9–16)
iii. No need for circumcision (Acts 15:23–29)

b. NT gives evidence that civil law is no longer in effect.
i. Christians pay taxes to secular governments (Matt 22:21; Rom 13:6–7)
ii. Christians are to pray for government leaders (1 Tim 2:1–2)
iii. NT approves of secular civil governments (Rom 13:1–7; 1 Pet 2:13–17)

c. NT gives evidence that moral law is still valid.
i. The law is good (Rom 7:12)
ii. Repetition of 10 Commandments (Matt 5; Rom 7:7)

39
Q

Continuity Position Problems

A

a. The three divisions are artificial divisions. They are not stipulated in the scripture itself.
b. How do we know which category the various laws fit in?

Biblical Ethics MIDTERM (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions