Christian Moral Principles

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering theonomous, heteronomous, and autonomous Christian moral principles, including key theories and scholars.

Theonomous ethics

Ethics and moral practices governed by God, primarily through the Bible.

Propositional approach

A literalist approach to the Bible where it is viewed as the direct, factual word of God.

Non-propositional approach

A liberal approach where the Bible is interpreted personally based on individual experience.

Automatic writing

A theory of Biblical inspiration where writers were 'possessed' by God to record His direct word.

Dictation theory

The belief that God preordained specific words which were then dictated to authors who wrote them based on their understanding.

Negative assistance theory

The view that Bible writers were free to write what they wanted, but the Holy Spirit intervened to correct them if they strayed from God's plan.

Sola scriptura

The principle of 'by scripture alone,' asserting the Bible is the supreme authority as the direct word of God.

Amanuensis

Scribes who recorded what God said word for word, rather than acting as independent authors.

Decalogue

The $10$ commandments found in Exodus $20$ that present ethics in both social and personal contexts.

Bibliolatry

A term used by Karl Barth to warn against a literalism that gives the Bible a divine status belonging only to God.

Heteronomous ethics

Ethics guided by multiple sources, including the Bible, human reason, and Church tradition.

Eternal law

The principles of the universe as known fully only to God.

Divine law

The laws of God as revealed specifically in the Bible.

Natural law

The application of God-given reason to understand the natural purpose of things and the eternal law.

Synderesis principle

The fundamental moral drive to 'do good and avoid evil.'

Five primary precepts

The core rules of Natural Law: Preservation of life, Ordered society, Worship God, Education, and Reproduce.

Prudence

One of Aquinas's virtues, defined as practical wisdom and effective decision-making.

Theological virtues

Gifts from God—Faith, Hope, and Charity—that bring believers closer to Him.

Liberation theology

A Catholic movement inspired by Marxism that focuses on a 'preferential option for the poor' and social revolution.

Autonomous ethics

Self-governed ethics that focus on agape (love) as modeled by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Situational ethics

Joseph Fletcher's approach of deciding the most loving thing to do in every individual situation.

Pragmatism

A working principle of Situation Ethics asking what should be done to make a situation more loving.

Personalism

The principle that people should be treated as persons rather than means to an end, reflecting God's personal nature.

Global ethic

Hans Kung's proposal for a single shared ethic of love to tackle worldwide issues like environmental crises.

The Magisterium

The official teaching authority of the Catholic Church, consisting of the Pope and the bishops.

Papal encyclical

A formal letter written by the Pope to the clergy regarding specific church teachings or topics.

Neo-orthodox

The view that while the Bible is not the exact word of God, His voice can be heard through it when read critically.