Christian Moral Principles - DCT

Question 1

What is heteronomy in Christian ethics?

Answer 1

The view that moral authority comes from a combination of Church, Bible, and reason.

Question 2

Which Christian denomination typically supports heteronomy?

Answer 2

Catholicism.

Question 3

What is the apostolic succession?

Answer 3

The belief that the authority of Church leaders comes from a direct line of succession from the apostles.

Question 4

Why do Catholics claim the Church has authority over moral teaching?

Answer 4

Because Christ gave authority to his apostles who passed it to their successors.

Question 5

What is Sacred Tradition?

Answer 5

Teachings passed down from the apostles not in the Bible but authoritative in the Catholic Church.

Question 6

What is Sacred Scripture?

Answer 6

The written word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Question 7

What does Dei Verbum say about tradition and scripture?

Answer 7

They are equally to be accepted and venerated.

Question 8

What is the Magisterium?

Answer 8

The Church’s teaching authority that interprets tradition and scripture.

Question 9

What Catholic view supports Natural Law ethics?

Answer 9

That reason can discover moral laws embedded in human nature.

Question 10

What is Aquinas’ view on human reason?

Answer 10

It can support faith by understanding God’s moral law.

Question 11

What historical corruption is associated with the Catholic Church?

Answer 11

The sale of indulgences.

Question 12

Who protested the sale of indulgences?

Answer 12

Martin Luther.

Question 13

What did Luther argue about indulgences?

Answer 13

They were corrupt and abused Church power.

Question 14

What was Luther’s critique of the Church’s wealth?

Answer 14

That the pope should pay for basilicas, not poor believers.

Question 15

What Catholic response defends the Church despite corruption?

Answer 15

That Christ still entrusted humans despite their flaws.

Question 16

What is a Protestant counter-response to Church corruption?

Answer 16

That the Church’s corruption disqualifies it from moral authority.

Question 17

What is theonomy?

Answer 17

The view that moral authority comes from God’s revelation in the Bible.

Question 18

What does sola scriptura mean?

Answer 18

The belief that the Bible alone is the sole source of Christian moral principles.

Question 19

Which Christian denomination supports sola scriptura?

Answer 19

Protestantism.

Question 20

Who said ‘a simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it’?

Answer 20

Martin Luther.

Question 21

What is the priesthood of all believers?

Answer 21

Luther’s idea that all people can relate directly to God.

Question 22

What is a criticism of sola scriptura?

Answer 22

The Bible doesn’t teach sola scriptura itself.

Question 23

What does 1 Timothy 2:5 say?

Answer 23

That Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity.

Question 24

Why is sola scriptura seen as problematic in history?

Answer 24

The biblical canon was chosen by Catholic clergy.

Question 25

What role does the Holy Spirit play in sola scriptura?

Answer 25

It's believed to guide the interpretation and truth of the Bible.

Question 26

What is autonomy in Christian ethics?

Answer 26

The belief that individuals must decide what is right or wrong.

Question 27

Who proposed situation ethics?

Answer 27

Joseph Fletcher.

Question 28

What is the guiding principle of situation ethics?

Answer 28

Agape – Christian selfless love.

Question 29

What commandment does Fletcher base situation ethics on?

Answer 29

'Love your neighbour as yourself'.

Question 30

What was Barclay’s critique of situation ethics?

Answer 30

It gives too much freedom and assumes perfect love.

Question 31

How does Barclay describe moral freedom?

Answer 31

Dangerous unless everyone is a saint.

Question 32

What is the classic argument against too much freedom?

Answer 32

Power corrupts.

Question 33

What psychological evidence supports Barclay’s argument?

Answer 33

The Stanford prison experiment.

Question 34

How do Fletcher and Robinson defend autonomy?

Answer 34

They say humanity has 'come of age' and can handle moral freedom.

Question 35

What is a criticism of Fletcher from sola scriptura supporters?

Answer 35

That he ignores clear biblical teachings.

Question 36

What dilemma does Fletcher highlight in biblical interpretation?

Answer 36

Whether to interpret the Bible or take it literally.

Question 37

Why does Fletcher reject literal interpretation?

Answer 37

It’s impossible to live literally and morally meaningful.

Question 38

What is Fletcher’s view of the Bible?

Answer 38

It offers paradigms or suggestions, not legal rules.

Question 39

What does Fletcher say about agape and biblical rules?

Answer 39

Whatever maximises agape is permitted.

Question 40

What did J.S. Mill say about the New Testament?

Answer 40

That it is general and poetic, needing interpretation.

Question 41

What did Mill claim about the Old Testament?

Answer 41

It is barbarous and suited to barbarous people.

Question 42

What does Mill argue about Christian morality?

Answer 42

It’s mostly a reaction to paganism and lacks pursuit of good.

Question 43

What does Mill say motivates Christian morality?

Answer 43

Fear of hell and hope of heaven.

Question 44

How does Mill view Greek philosophers?

Answer 44

More virtuous than Christian moralists.

Question 45

What does Mill say about passive obedience?

Answer 45

It teaches submission and acceptance of suffering.

Question 46

What does Mill think will improve Christian ethics?

Answer 46

Incorporating other moral systems.

Question 47

What is Mill’s conclusion about Christian ethics?

Answer 47

They’re not distinctive and should be treated as one system among many.