Key moral principles Flashcards
(15 cards)
10 commandments
I am the lord your God. You shall have no other God before me
You shall not use the Lord’s name in vain
Remember to keep Sabbath day holy
Honour your father and mother
You shall not commit murder
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour
You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife
You shall not covet your neighbours goods
Love in creation
God created the world as an expression of his love for humanity.
In Genesis 1 God “delights” in hid creation and views what has been created seeing that it “is good”
Genesis 1.27
“God created man in his own image”
God loves the world and wants it to reach ultimate union with God
Love in incarnation
In becoming human (Jesus) God self-limited (kenosis) by taking on all limitations of humanity in order to save humans from their fallen state since original sin was an act of love
Mathew 4.:1.11
In becoming human God experienced human temptation to do wrong
Christ is asked by the devil to turn stones into bread and to throw himself from the highest temple.
John 19:28
Moreover Christ experienced thirst on the cross “I thirst”
Kenosis
God did all this to experience human suffering from the inside this is known as divine self-limiting (kenosis)
For example this is the same way mothers self limit to show love for their children.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenge abd response
He was imprisoned and executed by the Nazis for his beliefs which whilst in prison led him to questiom the existence of an all powerful God that would allow this
He was able to answer this by assertint “There is no suffering on Earth that is not borne by God” and that “God so loved the world that he sent his only son”
God self limits though incarnation to show love for humanity
Love in trinity and Karl Barth
In the trinity the Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist eternally hence God’s love is always there.
God the Father fully participated in his expression of love for humanity through the Sons crucifixion.
Karl Barths understanding of the trinity supports the view of love shown for the trinity. He sees God the Father as hidden like a veiled bride who becomes unhidden by revealing himself through the son so he can be known and love the world.
Mathew 5
“You have heard that it was said ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’
How does Mathew 5 and John 8 conflict with the 10 commandments?
The moral values outlined in the 10 commandments appear to conflict with Jesus’ message and its centrality of love as the focus.
Love ambiguity- S.E. vs NML
More generally love gives the ability for flexible application.
Situation ethics argue love is the only moral principle Christians should follow
NML has a more conservative approach
In the application of an unwanted pregnancy it is unclear what an application of love would lead to
Love ambiguity- warfare
In terms of war and peace what is the most loving thing to do in facing an evil dictator?
Pacifism or warfare?
Applying love over other principles can be complicated
Utilitarianism preferable
Perhaps a utilitarianism approach that satisfies the greatest number is a better application of love than Jesus “Turning the other cheek”
Examples of love ambiguously
Euthanasia
Abortion
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (test embryos for genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities before they are implanted in the uterus)
Gay marriage
