1A Divine Command Theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is divine command theory
Divine command theory (Theological voluntarism) says it is our duty to obey rules that are commanded by God. Any acts that are forbidden by God are necessarily bad or wrong.
What kind of theory is the divine command theory and what is the definition of this
Meta-ethical
= literally means beyond ethics. This branch of ethics studies the meaning of ethical language and the foundations and scope of ethical knowledge.
Is this ethic flexible or absolute
We can understand right and wrong through gods command, this ethics is not relative to the preference of culture. IT IS ABSOLUTE
It is dependent upon the theistic claim that there is one God who is:
Omnibenevolent= all loving and compassionate
Omnipotent = All-powerful
Omniscient = All-knowing
Omnipresent = present everywhere
God has created all things, including law. In Genesis, it claims that everything God made was good. (What is the quote)
‘God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good’
Genesis 1:31
God also had issued his law through the scriptures, which clearly declare the moral code that is to be followed (what quote from 2 Timothy does this link too)
‘All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching,’
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Right or wrong as objective truths based on God’s will/command
God’s commands are a standard for moral behaviour. Right is right only because God has commanded it and wrong is only wrong because it is forbidden by God. Moral actions are defined by God’s will. These rules apply universally l, regardless of time and culture. This objective standard originates from God rather than being something external to him.
What does Deontological mean
From the Greek ‘Deon’, meaning duty or obligation.
Moral goodness is achieved by complying with divine command
A moral agent must obey the commands laid out by God, by following the commandments in scripture or church teaching. In normative terms, such a theory is deontological since it becomes the duty of the moral agent to obey Gods commands. Our relationship with God is vital for ethical behaviour because those in fellowship with God can be better understand his will
Divine command as a requirement of God’s omnipotence
If God is truly all-powerful, it is vital that he is not controlled or subject to the power of morality. If God’s goodness was because of his obedience to law, then the rules would be a higher authority that God. To understand God as truly omnipotent, we must comprehend to be the origin of both goodness and commands.
