Christian Moral Principles Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are the ways that Christians may make moral decisions?
The Bible
Tradition
Reason
Situational Love
What is the term for the sole use of scripture?
Theonomous, solo scriptura
What is the Bible for theonomous Christians?
Supreme authority
Self authenticating
No need for interpretation
Propositional revelation
Jeremiah theonomous quote?
I have put my words in your mouth
What are the ways of NON-propositional reveltion?
A sense of God’s presence
Nature
= more personal
What are the strengths of theonomous decision making?
If the Bible is the direct word of God, the Bible is infallible
No need for interpretation - no differing views
What are the weaknesses of theonomous decision-making?
Own experiences and interpretation will ALWAYS cloud the reading
If it is God’s direct word, would it not all be one type of literature? What is the need for four gospel accounts?
Conflicting texts
Bible seems outdated- we need advice on stem cell research, rather than wearing garments with 2 plus materials
What does Hays say and what does it mean?
The interpretation of Scripture can never occur in a vacuum
- things will cloud our reading of the Bible
What does Pope Francis argue?
Nor is it helpful to try and impose rules by sheer authority
What does Richard Mouw argue in ‘From Christ to the World’
Just because many passages focus on love, it does not rule out the use of other Biblical teachings
HOWEVER, he recognises that not all Biblical commandments are about morality (i.e. Abraham being told to leave home to find the promised land) - but how do we know what is meant just for them or for us?
