Studied by 9 people
What are some christian codes for living
Core values of christian ethics are extrapolated from the life and teachings of Jesus
What is the relationship of Jesus’ teachings to judaism
Jesus intensified and universalised jewish law in the 1st century. Jesus’ ethical code grew out of the Jewish moral code, found in the Torah
How did Jesus create his teachings from Judaism
Jesus followed the rabbinic method of biblical exegesis (Midrash) and his use of parables would have been familiar to Jewish listeners
What are the interpretations of Jesus’ teachings today
Theologians have merged different moral theories with Jesus’ ethics (eg. NML). Modern day moral philosophers continue to study the ministry of Jesus and have developed new ethical theories from it (eg. situation ethics)
What are the christian teachings rooted in in the modern day (E)
Equality- through being human, everyone deserves to be treated equally.
How is equality expressed in christianity
through the belief of being made in the image of God. racial, economic, religious or sexual inequalities are unjustifiable for the common good need to be removed
What are the christian teachings rooted in in the modern day (P)
Pluralism- the belief that different religious/ world views are equally valid (respecting otherness of others). Freedom and tolerance are the key values. Religious pluralism accepts that there are different paths to God
Why do some scholars criticise morality based on scripture
Jesus’ teachings belong to the 1st century world and not in contemporary society. Treating them as timeless moral principles lead to problems of interpretation, rendering them unreliable. Morality evolves and so cannot be successfully derived from scripture
What does Dawkins argue in the God delusion about religion and morality
Jesus did not derive his ethics from his own scriptures (ie. the Jewish scriptures of the time- eg. departing from the command to not work on the sabbath and healing people), therefore he is a model for the thesis that morality shouldn’t be derived from scripture
What does Matera observe from the sermon on the Plain in Luke (compared to Matthew’s sermon on the mount)
Luke offers a distinctively Christian ethic
What does Marshall observe from the sermon on the Plain in Luke (compared to Matthew’s sermon on the mount)
Luke’s is more concerned with the needs of the downtrodden and giving warnings to the prosperous, rather than spiritual virtues and their rewards found in Matthew
What is the general understanding of the differences between Luke’s sermon on the plain and Matthew’s sermon on the mount
Luke’s sermon has a more universal message reflecting the interests of the Gentiles, compared to the more distinctive Jewish nature of Matthew’s sermon. Matthew focuses on righteousness and the law compared with love of enemies, not judging others and focusing on the concerns if the poor and persecuted
What are the two themes from the sermon (R)
Reversal of fortunes in the kingdom of God
What are the two themes from the sermon (L)
Love for enemies and the golden rule
What is the reversal of fortunes theme
In the blessings, the reversal of fortunes that will occur are that the poor will become rich and the persecuted will have cause to rejoice- those less fortunate will become more fortunate in the kingdom. The woes serve as warnings if people do not humble themselves
What does Matera believe about the reversal of fortunes theme
Views it as a call to the rich and powerful to evaluate their moral behaviour. This is still relevant today and has inspired many people to tackle the inequalities in the world
What is the love for enemies theme
Jesus builds on Jewish ethics and clarifies them: By universalising specific laws given in the torah (eg. finding your enemy’s ox means you should return it becomes love your enemy)
What is the golden rule theme (relation to law)
Jewish law is clarified through the golden rule (“do to others as you would have them do to you”- Luke 6:31), which goes beyond the principle of reciprocity (treating people the way they treat you) seen in Jewish law
What is the golden rule theme (relation to Jesus)
Jesus points out that it us easy to love those who love you, but it is not an indication of moral character as even sinners do this. Treating others how you would like to be treated regardless of how they have treated you is true compassion
What does Marshall observe about the ethical teachings in Luke’s parables (EV)
They are directly linked with his eschatological view (the kingdom of God is present in the ministry of Jesus
What does Marshall observe about the ethical teachings in Luke’s parables (demands)
Becoming part of the kingdom is through repentance, this demands a changed life
What does Marshall observe about the ethical teachings in Luke’s parables (kingdom)
Responding to Jesus’ ethical teachings is equally responding to the kingdom of God. Therefore, Luke does not just present a set of moral guidelines but an ethical code that determines the character of the kingdom
What does the parable of the good samaritan illustrate
The theme of love of enemies. (Samaritans and Jews had long been enemies, yet the samaritan who shows true compassion and puts the golden rule into action)
What Jewish texts are the teachings from the parable of the good samaritan based on
Love of God from Deuteronomy (6:5) and love of neighbour in Leviticus (19:18). These are fused together- loving your neighbour means loving God- the love of neighbour commandment is universalised to mean everyone
How is the word ‘neighbour’ universalised
In jewish teaching, it meant a member of your religious community, but Jesus in this parable extends it to mean anyone (links to the theme of equality and humanity)
What does Marshall suggest about the way the priest and the levite act within Jewish law
Whilst some suggest that Jesus is condemning religious behaviour that prevents acts of compassion, Marshal suggests the lack of compassion shown by the two people is more important than their reasoning behind not helping (even though that is religious reasoning)
What impact has the parable of the good samaritan had on christin codes for living
Links to the centrality of love in Fletcher’s situation ethics (agape) and rejection of legalistic approaches to morality
What are the teachings of pluralism in this parable
The Jews and Samaritans believed in the same God and any religious differences detract from love of God and others
What do the teachings of pluralism in this parable mean for christians
love of neighbour means being open to the fact that people of different religions may have the wisdom they do not have
What are the teachings of equality in this parable (identity)
The differences between religion and race are overshadowed by the duty to love regardless of identity
What are the teachings of equality in this parable (love)
Love your neighbour goes beyond reciprocity (seen in Jewish law at the time)- it is non-judgemental. It is a person’s need that should be responded to, not who they are
How does Luke start the chapter that contains the three parables of the lost
Highlights that Jesus mixed with the marginalised members of society: tax collectors and sinners. This shows the universal and inclusive nature of the kingdom of God and the importance of being non-judgemental (emphasis on equality)
What do all three of the lost parables represent
Call to repentance- focuses on the reaction to those who repent. God’s joy over the return of the lost
What is the imagery within the parable of the lost sheep (1 sheep)
sinner, someone who strays from their faith. At the time the marginalised people- tax collectors and sinners.
What is the imagery within the parable of the lost sheep (99 sheep)
righteous people, who do not need to repent
What is the imagery within the parable of the lost sheep (Shepherd’s joy at the return of his sheep)
represents God’s joy over the one sinner who repents
What is the ethical message of the parable of the lost sheep
about being lost and found, that it is easy for a person to stray away from their faith. However, since each person is precious to God, he will ensure that they find their way back to their faith. God’s love for people is great and unconditional, he rejoices over those who repent, his kingdom is accessible to all, including sinners, through repentance. He has a plan of salvation for all.
What does this parable teach us about equality
Those who sin will not be treated differently to those who are righteous. The Kingdom of God is inclusive and non judgemental. Jesus teaches a message of love to all.
What does this parable teach us about pluralism
Idea that repentance and forgiveness shows respect to others
What is the imagery in the parable of the lost coin (The Lost Coin)
represents the lost soul that God will work endlessly to bring back to Him.
What is the imagery in the parable of the lost coin (The Coins)
represent People
What is the imagery in the parable of the lost coin (The woman)
represents God, trying to bring these people (coins) back
What is the imagery in the parable of the lost coin (The invitation of the ‘friends and neighbours’)
may reflect a celebratory meal, which reflects the meals Jesus was accused of sharing with ‘sinners’
What is the ethical message of the parable of the lost coin (Targeted at the religious authorities of the time)
The conclusion of the parable highlights that the Jewish religious authorities are not taking care of God's people, and rather than bring others to faith, they are contemptuous of non-Believers
What is the ethical message of the parable of the lost coin (Luke reveals)
the message that God searches for the lost sinner with as much care as the woman looked for her lost coin- she doesn’t give up, and nor will God
What is the ethical message of the parable of the lost coin (When the woman found the lost coin)
this represents the rejoicing in heaven over the sinner who repents.
What does the parable teach us about equality
The parable shows how a person should respond to those who repent and become part of the Kingdom of God. Just like the coin is very valuable to the woman, humans are just as valuable to God as humans were created by God - they are precious.
What is the imagery within the parable of the prodigal son
need for repentance and forgiveness . shows how a person should respond ethically and practically to those who repent and become part of the kingdom of God.
What is the ethical message of the parable of the prodigal son
based around the Fathers feelings towards both of his sons. He felt as though he had lost his younger son, so when he did return it was like he had come back to life. So he forgave his son and welcomed him home in the same way that God waits for humans to realise what they may have done wrong in their lives, and ask for forgiveness and then welcomes them back when they do.
How does the parable of the prodigal son relate to Jewish teaching
The older son represents the pharisees. His work followed strict duty, he did not serve his father because he loved him, in the same way that the Pharisees obeyed the law but did not love God. Because of this the son could not understand how the father felt and why he welcomed his brother back, just like how the Pharisees did not believe that God would welcome sinners.
What does this parable teach us about equality
highlights how anybody has the opportunity to be welcomed and accepted by God, even if you have sinned. As long as you realise what you’ve done is wrong and ask for forgiveness, God will welcome you.
What does this parable teach us about pluralism
This parable teaches that it is through repentance and forgiveness that ‘respect for the otherness of others is shown’, which is a key feature of a pluralistic society
What is the problem with relating ‘hate the sin love the sinner’ to the parables of the lost (Jesus)
Jesus never said this phrase- it is attributed to st Augustine
What is the problem with relating ‘hate the sin love the sinner’ to the parables of the lost (teaching)
Jesus was teaching about unconditional love
What is the problem with relating ‘hate the sin love the sinner’ to the parables of the lost (focus)
Jesus’ focus was on humanity, not actions committed, which would involve more judgement, which Jesus condemned
What is the main message of The Rich Man and Lazarus
A warning of the dangers of not following God’s law
What does Matera say about Luke’s interpretation of the rich man and lazarus
Luke presents the Pharisees as lovers of money who are more concerned with external appearances than spiritual life. He provides them with a way to avoid judgement: follow God’s law and show compassion for others
Why would this have been a difficult passage for Jewish people at the time to understand
Uses the same reversal of fortunes idea that appear in the sermon on the plain
How is the reversal idea heightened in this parable (Lazarus)
how Lazarus’ state would have indicated to them he was a sinner being punished by God
How is the reversal idea heightened in this parable (rich man)
The wealth of the rich man was considered a material blessing from God
How is Jesus building on Jewish law
The dead rich man asks Abraham if his brothers on earth can be warned of his fate in hell, but Abraham states that they have moses and the prophets, meaning the ethical code on how to care for the poor and use your wealth was already (implicitly) part of the Jewish religion
What does this parable teach about equality (naming)
Value of each person (emphasised by the naming of Lazarus, but not the rich man).
What does this parable teach about equality (poor)
That the poor and needy are a reality in society (at our door, we must help them)
What does this parable teach about equality (money)
The love of money is the root of all evil, instead wealth should be used to serve others
What does this parable teach about pluralism
Should help each other, treat everyone equally, be open hearted and use our wealth to remove others’ suffering
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