Christian Moral Principles

Question 1

Define the Bible

Answer 1

The Christian scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testament

Question 2

Define Church

Answer 2

The building in which Christians worship. However, the Church also represents the Christian community throughout the world.

Question 3

What is the Bible?

Answer 3

The Bible is a collection of 66 different books written over a 1000 year period. It was written by a range of different human authors who believed themselves to be inspired by God. It includes a range of different genres of literature.

Question 4

Define agape

Answer 4

Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.

Question 5

Define sola scriptura

Answer 5

A Christian theological doctrine which holds that the Christian Scriptures (Bible) are the sole infallible rule of faith and practice.

Question 6

Define natural law

Answer 6

A body of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct.

Question 7

Define papal encyclical

Answer 7

A letter concerning Catholic doctrine, sent by the Pope on behalf of the magisterium

Question 8

Define reason

Answer 8

The human being’s capacity to reach conclusions and make judgments based on logic, knowledge and morality.

Question 9

Define magisterium

Answer 9

The official and authoritative teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

Question 10

How were the books of the Bible agreed?

Answer 10

The process of agreeing what books should be included in the Bible (the canon) occurred over an extended period of time. Different Christian denominations still include some different books to this day.

Question 11

Give 5 ways the Bible provides ethical guidance

Answer 11

1) Positive and negative examples
2) Moral advice through parables
3) Moral principles e.g. love your neighbour
4) Specific moral instructions e.g. 10 commandments
5) Give examples of how to live well in different situations e.g. Paul’s letters

Question 12

How does Paul describe the Bible in his letter to Timothy?

Answer 12

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
In 2 Timothy 3:16, the term “God-breathed” refers to the divine inspiration of the Bible.
This expression emphasizes that the Scriptures are not merely human writings but have their origin in God himself.

Question 13

How is the idea of ‘God-breathed’ influenced by how God’s breath is shown elsewhere in the Bible

Answer 13

In 2 Timothy 3:16, the term “God-breathed” refers to the divine inspiration of the Bible.
This expression emphasizes that the Scriptures are not merely human writings but have their origin in God himself.

Question 14

What is the Biblicist view of the inspiration of the Bible?

Answer 14

To say the Bible is inspired means that it is breathed by God into the human authors of the Bible - the author is God’s scribe

Question 15

What is the Conservative view of the inspiration of the Bible?

Answer 15

The Bible was not literally dictated by God, instead the authors were people who had genuine experiences of God. The Bible therefore is both a word of God and a word of man.

Question 16

What is the Liberal view of the inspiration of the Bible?

Answer 16

The Bible is primarily a human document. It is written by inspired people but they have not received any direct instruction or inspiration.

Question 17

What is the context in the 1500s that leads to the Reformation?

Answer 17

By 1500 - Much of the Catholic church is quite remote from ordinary people
Church services and the Bible are in Latin
The Pope has ultimate authority
Corruption including the practice of ‘indulgences’ to take time off purgatory is widespread

Question 18

What are Luther’s key arguments in the Reformation?

Answer 18

Luther protests arguing:
Salvation is God’s gift and is by faith - it is not earned
The Bible is the supreme guide for Christians (not the Pope)
The Bible and church services must be in people’s own languages.

Question 19

Why would Luther argue we need to use the Bible as our main source of authority?

Answer 19

The Bible is seen as having been dictated by God. It therefore contains God’s own direct speech and it alone must be used for moral instruction. Because it has been directly dictated by God, the Bible is seen as infallible. It cannot be in error. Therefore, the Bible is a comprehensive moral guide.

Question 20

What did Barth mean by ‘Bibliolatry’?

Answer 20

The worship of the Bible. The Bible cannot save anyone – it can only point towards the real source of salvation which is God. The Bible, then, is vitally important but it must not be confused with God Himself.

Question 21

How would Fletcher critique a ‘Bible only’ approach to ethics?

Answer 21

Joseph Fletcher would argue that the sola scriptura approach is too rigid and not appropriate when making moral and ethical decisions. He would argue that Jesus seemed to apply the principle of love when teaching others how to live a good life and was prepared to set aside some rules in some cases, usually because a person mattered more than the rule

Question 22

How did the Old Testament present ethics?

Answer 22

In the Old Testament, the covenant establishes the idea that ethics are both social and personal. The Ten Commandments are a summary of these ideas. Primarily rule focused - do’s and don’ts

Question 23

How did later Jewish writings develop ethical principles?

Answer 23

Later Jewish writings such as the prophets focus on social justice and the treatment of the poor as examples of the proper response to God’s covenant.

Question 24

How does Jesus challenge and adapt the Old Testament law?

Answer 24

In the New Testament, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches of a new covenant that is not just about keeping the law, but of an inner law of love, righteousness, peace and faith.
E.g. ‘You have heard it said ‘Do not murder’ but I say to you, ‘do not be angry’.

Question 25

What do Christians mean when they describe the Bible as a 'progressive revelation'?

Answer 25

Progressive revelation is the teaching that God has revealed Himself and His will through the Scriptures with increasing clarity as more and more of the Scriptures were written. In other words, the later the writing the more information is given.

Question 26

How would some Christians use the idea of progressive revelation to justify more liberal ethical approaches?

Answer 26

Some would argue that the concept of progressive revelation means that modern Christians can continue to apply key Gospel principles (e.g. agape love) in new ways to resolve moral dilemmas - even in ways that may appear to contradict other New Testament teachings. They would say this follows a trend of more liberal, situation focused ethics through the Bible to the present day.

Question 27

Give an example of a potential contradiction between Old Testament and New Testament ethical approaches

Answer 27

The Old Testament permits war and retributive justice, summarised as an ‘eye for eye, tooth for a tooth’. Capital punishment is seen to be part of God’s judgement on those who blaspheme by destroying human life. Jesus Sermon on the Mount appears to revise the old law: Retribution is replaced by reconciliation and love for one’s enemies. Jesus describes ‘turning the other cheek’ rather than pursuing revenge.

Question 28

What are the key features of an autonomous approach to ethical decision making?

Answer 28

The autonomous approach to Christian ethical decision considers that there is one guiding principle which shapes the mindset of the Christian - Jesus command to love. Love or agape (Jesus’ sacrificial and generous love for others) in its distinctive Christian form is shown in Jesus’ own life sacrificed for others.

Question 29

Give an example of a Bible text that supports the idea of the Bible as the centre point of Christian ethics?

Answer 29

“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Question 30

What 3 key features of ethics does Fletcher highlight in Situation Ethics?

Answer 30

He argues that ethics are essentially: o 1) Autonomous o 2) Teleological e.g. focussed on the consequences o 3) Driven by the principle of agape love

Question 32

What does Fletcher mean when he says 'love is the only universal'?

Answer 32

He means that love is a common theme that everyone, no matter what their background or nationality can understand when they are making moral decisions. If we act lovingly then our actions are morally right.

Question 33

What does Fletcher mean when the describes love as an 'active principle'?

Answer 33

He argued that Jesus himself taught his message of love not only through his teachings to his disciples but also in the actions throughout his life. He was willing to break the law because he acted upon the principle of situation ethics – a decision based on what is the most loving thing to do.

Question 34

What does Fletcher identify as the 4 working principles of Situation Ethics?

Answer 34

1) Pragmatism – No moral issue is intrinsically right or wrong but must be judged against the command to love. 2) Relativism – There are no absolute duties which make people less important than the rules. Instead every decision is considered relative to the command to love. 3) Positivism – Assumes that religious laws are not God-given or natural but human. 4) Personalism – considers that all humans should be treated as persons that respects their dignity as made in the image of God. Humans should be treated as people and never as means to an end.

Question 35

What does Kung mean when he describes a 'global ethic'?

Answer 35

Kung calls for a ‘global ethic’ if the world is going to tackle issues such as environmental damage and save humanity from destroying itself. This involves focussing on what different groups including religions have in common.

Question 36

On what basis does Kung encourage greater ethical autonomy?

Answer 36

Kung highlights how Jesus challenged rule-based ethics and encouraged his disciples to make their own judgements and take responsibility for their actions.

Question 37

Which ethical issue does Kung highlight as an example of where greater autonomy could apply?

Answer 37

Euthanasia - ‘Where some call this ‘killing’, others refer to ‘compassion’, ‘mercy’, ‘grace’, ‘helping love’….

Question 38

How has Kung been criticised from within the Catholic Church?

Answer 38

Jung’s view has been criticised within the Catholic tradition as undermining the Magisterium of the Church.

Question 39

Why could individualism be a potential critique of ethical autonomy?

Answer 39

The individual has too much control or influence, and people tend to selfish. Could anything be justified by the claim to have been the ‘most loving thing’.

Question 40

Why could being subjective be a potential issue with ethical autonomy?

Answer 40

Morality becomes a question of opinion. This seems to contrast to basic Christian beliefs about God making the world with a particular design and purpose for humans.

Question 41

Why could being too idealistic be a potential challenge to ethical autonomy?

Answer 41

Agape is a great ideal but is rarely achieved in practice. People need rules to live by, and can’t be trusted to do the right thing without those rules.

Question 42

How does Barclay critique Fletcher's ethical autonomy?

Answer 42

1) Fletcher focuses to much on extreme circumstances: 2) Fletcher is unrealistically optimistic about how humans will function free from clear moral guidance. 3) Fletcher is unreasonable to think that humans can make moral choices without taking into account others factors such as environment, upbringing and education.

Question 43

How does Pope Pius XII critique situation ethics?

Answer 43

Pope Pius XII declared Christian ethics based on situations as ‘an opposition to natural law, God’s law.’ He meant that it was a failed attempt by humans to try and excuse the fact that their actions were against God’s will.

Question 44

What phrase does Pope Benedict use to critique situation ethics?

Answer 44

'a dictatorship of relativism'

Question 45

What does Hauerwas say is needed for Christian ethics to be completed successfully?

Answer 45

Hauerwas argued that Christian ethics can only be carried out within a community. Biblical teachings should be adapted by the community for the best outcome.

Question 46

What approach do Roman Catholics take towards ethical decision making?

Answer 46

in Roman Catholic tradition, ethics are not only biblical, but accessible through reason, the world, conscience and church authority. combined, these are known as Natural Law. this has biblical precedence as Saint Paul says men must act according to conscience, and the ‘law written on their hearts.’

Question 47

What role does natural law play within the heteronomous approach?

Answer 47

Natural Law is based on the theological idea that god is the creator, giving the world order and purpose. it is god’s will that things reach their potential and flourish. Thomas Aquinas‘ version of this theory is the one with the most influence on the catholic church. he says that reason distinguishes us from animals and allows us to know god’s eternal law.

Question 48

What is the role of the magisterium within the heteronomous approach?

Answer 48

Church authority has a place on informing Catholics of their morality. every so often the church leaders meet and publish a papal encyclical on modern issues. these express the magisterium, or official church teachings. it has authority and it is expected that it will be followed in ordinary circumstances.

Question 49

How did Aquinas describe conscience?

Answer 49

Aquinas argued that conscience is the power of reason, ‘reason making right decisions’.

Question 50

What are the 2 parts of conscience for Aquinas?

Answer 50

Synderesis - the use of right reason by which we learn basic moral principles and understand that we have to do good and avoid evil Conscientia - the actual judgement or decision we make that leads us to act.

Question 51

What is the synderesis rule for Aquinas?

Answer 51

He thought people tended towards goodness and away from evil. Understanding this helps to see that for Aquinas, people have great responsibility and authority to make moral decisions.