Christian Moral Principle Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are the three different approaches to Christian ethics?
Theonomous ethics, Heteronomous ethics and Autonomous ethics.
What is theonomous ethics?
Placing God’s commands at the centre and using the Bible alone (because it is the infallible word of God).
What is heteronomous ethics?
Using a variety of sources e.g. Church and Bible together.
What is autonomous ethics?
Individual alone has authority to decide.
Who supported theonomous ethics and how?
Luther, in his Protestant Reformation it said “Sola Scripture” - scriptures should be the soul source of moral authority.
What did St. Paul write in his letter to Timothy to show the authority scripture holds?
“All scripture is God-breathed.”
What are the strengths of theonomous ethics?
+ It provides clear and fixed guidelines to be followed - e.g. 10 commandments.
+ Sets a clear and consistent ‘standard’ for Christian ethics (A.S. Wood)
+ Emphasises the importance of the Bible as the infallible word of God.
+ Ensures that no human authority is seen as more important than God’s word.
What are the weaknesses of theonomous ethics?
- The Bible does not answer every contemporary ethical question directly - we need other sources of authority (e.g. Church) to interpret scripture and apply its key teachings today.
- The Bible was written in a particular context. Further, it contains contradictions - we need other sources of authority (e.g. Church) to help understand it.
- The Bible itself never says it is the only source of authority a Christian needs.
What is evidence of the fact that the Bible should not be the only source of authority for a Christian?
Jesus appointed St Peter as 1st Bishop of Rome and said he was the “rock on which I will build my church”.
Who supported heteronomous ethics and how? (Quote)
The Catholic Church - they believe that the Bible and Church have equal authority.
“Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together, and communicate with the other.” (Catechism)
What quote from the Catechism of the CC shows that heteronomous ethics is the best approach?
The church has an important role “giving an authentic interpretation of the word of God”.
What number Pope is Leo XIV? Why is this interesting?
He is the 267th Bishop of Rome - his authority goes all the way back to Jesus.
Do protestants believe in heteronomous ethics?
No, they understand that the Church should interpret - but ultimately they are not equal to the Bible!
The Bible itself says that the Holy Spirit will guide those who God has saved to the truth, so they do not misunderstand God’s will when reading Scripture.
What is the 3rd source of authority within heteronomous ethics?
Reason - reason can be used to identify what God has revealed through Natural Law.
Who supports reason as a source of authority? (Quote)
St Thomas Aquinas - he believed that ethics could be discovered through “right reason in accordance with nature”.
Through right reason we discover the 5 PP.
What are the strengths of heteronomous ethics?
+ Ensures Christian teachings remain relevant in the modern world - the Pope has published encyclicals e.g. Laudatory Si on Climate Change.
+ Scriptures can be understood and interpreted in light of modern developments and discoveries e.g. Big Bang Theory and Theory of Evolution.
What are the weaknesses of heteronomous ethics?
- Martin Luther criticised the power and authority of the CC. This is know as the ‘Protestant Reformation’. He believed that the Church institution had too much power, which it was exploiting.
- There may be a conflict between the different sources of authority- if they are all equal, it is difficult to know which one to follow.
Who supported autonomous ethics and how?
Joseph Fletcher - through his situation ethics in the 1960s.
Situation ethics = based on the teachings and example of Jesus, who prioritised and advocated for agape love.
Why does Fletcher believe we should rely on autonomous ethics? (Quote)
Because “love is the only universal”.
Fletcher saw the conscience as a verb rather than a noun - it is something we DO rather than something we HAVE. This emphasises that autonomous ethics are about us thinking and deciding for ourselves.
What are the strengths of autonomous ethics?
+ It gives the individual autonomy. Empowers the individual to make moral decisions for themselves.
+ Provides flexibility - Fletcher said that “loves decisions are made situationally” meaning that it remains relevant and applicable in 21st century society.
+ It is consistent with Jesus’ teachings on agape.
What are the weaknesses of heteronomous ethics?
- William Barclay: SE is flawed as it gives a “terrifying degree of freedom”.
- It over simplifies the Bible, there are more teachings than just love!
- It is open to exploitation. Barley says that SE would only work if “all men were saints”. Human beings are fallible and make mistakes (Synoptic link: Augustine’s view of Original Sin).
