Divine Command Theory

What does Divine Command Theory claim?

Moral rightness is determined by God’s commands; what God forbids is necessarily wrong.

Is Divine Command Theory relative or absolute?

Absolute – applies universally, independent of culture or time.

What is meant by “God as the origin and regulator of morality”?

Moral truths come from God’s will, not human opinion; ethics is objective.

Give two Bible verses supporting Divine Command Theory.

• Genesis 1:31: “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All scripture is inspired by God… for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.”

Why must God be the origin of morality for omnipotence to be preserved?

If God followed an independent moral law, morality would be a higher authority than God.

Who developed the Modified Divine Command Theory?

Robert Adams (1937–2024).

What is the main idea of Adams’ modification?

Moral wrongness is linked to going against God’s commands, but morality reflects God’s unchanging omnibenevolent nature, preventing cruelty or arbitrariness.

Why can’t God command something arbitrary? (MDCT)

It would contradict His intrinsically good nature.

Give an example of Adams’ equivalence.

“It is wrong to steal” = “Stealing is against God’s commands.”

Challenge ©

What is the Euthyphro dilemma?

Is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is good?

© What is the arbitrariness problem? (second horn)

If good is whatever God commands, He could declare anything (even cruelty) good.

How does Adams respond to the arbitrariness problem?

God’s commands flow from His intrinsically good nature, so He would not command cruelty.

© What is the pluralism objection?

Many religions claim divine moral authority, but differ in their rules (e.g., differing biblical teachings on divorce).