Week Two: The Bible and Ethics Flashcards
What are the four ways of using the Bible in ethics?
The Bible as absolute authority
The Bible as having no ethical authority
the Bible as a directional guide
the Bible as shaper of ethical behaviour
The Bible as Absolute Authority
Bible has direct answers to every situation
This method takes the Bible seriously and sees it as the ultimate court of appeal in details
levels of “bible as absolute authority”
bibliolatry: like making the Bible an idol; cannot be followed perfectly due to contradictions
legalism: follow the commandments
problems: which commandments? jesus opposed literalistic interpretation of the Bible; Bible does not directly address many issues of today
bible as having no ethical authority
Biblical ethics was a child of its time and has no relevance for today.
Even Jesus spoke only to his time.
problem: on what basis does such a proponent claim to do Christian ethics?
The Bible as a Directional Guide
It is a guide as to the direction which we should go.
witness to the life and ministry of Jesus: the focus and center of the Christian faith and moral life
What can we deduce from the Bible according to The Bible as a Directional Guide?
principles can be deduced to guide us in making moral decisions.
To understand the principles, one must study the Scriptures in their historical, social, and literary context. – ask what it meant (context), and then what it means. See the Bible through the lens of the Jesus story.
One is more responsible for their every action: instead of being free to do whatever you want, every action has to be evaluated, scrutinized; what principles are behind it
Issues with The Bible as a Directional Guide
How do I know which principle is correct?
How can I discover principles?
The Bible as a Shaper of Ethical Behaviour
One’s moral behaviour is shaped, through not just commandments and rules, but through its stories, symbols, metaphors, and especially the story of Jesus.
Though the content of the above is important, the process is more important!
The Bible demonstrates the process of God’s redemptive work.
Thus in all these stories and images one must look for how the redeeming power of God is manifest.
The redemptive activity varies in the particularity at different times – though some things seem constant. Diversity in responses.
Ultimately a decision is made based on what is the fitting response – based on what God has done for me
What is the ultimate response based on the Bible? (Pyramid)
1: Top of the pyramid is commandment to Love (what is loving is what is redemptive!)
2: Love God and your neighbour
3: Ten Commandments
Many stories, symbols, images, and metaphors (whole Bible)
