christian moral principles

Where do Christian moral principles come from in Catholicism?

The Bible, the Church, and reason (natural law ethics)

What is apostolic succession?

Jesus gave authority to Peter and his disciples to spread the faith. This authority was passed down, forming the unbroken line of Popes

Why does the Catholic Church believe it can create "sacred tradition?”

Since Jesus is God, and He gave authority to the Church, its teachings are divinely ordained—equal to the Bible

What is the role of reason in Catholic moral teaching?

Reason helps us understand natural law and apply primary precepts to moral decisions

What are the Protestant objections to Church authority?

The Church has been corrupt (e.g., indulgences, abuse scandals), so it is not a valid source of moral principles

What was Martin Luther’s main critique of indulgences?

He argued purgatory was fabricated for profit and that indulgences were a moral abuse of Church power

Does Church corruption invalidate its authority?

No—Jesus knew the Church would be made of flawed humans but still gave it authority. Mistakes call for reform, not rejection

What is theonomy in Christian ethics?

Moral principles come directly from God alone—sola scriptura (Protestant view)

What is sola scriptura?

The Bible is the supreme authority. The Church’s teachings must align with it and be corrected by it

What did Luther say about the Bible vs. the Pope?

"A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest Pope without it."

What did Calvin argue about Church authority?

It is an "error" to think human institutions (the Church) can dictate God's eternal truth

What is the "priesthood of all believers?”

Every Christian can access God directly—no need for priests or Church mediation

How does 1 Timothy 2:5 support sola scriptura?

"Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity," not the Church

How do Protestants justify the Bible’s authority?

It is divinely inspired—God "breathed" into its authors (Ruach)

What are the critiques of sola scriptura?

The Bible doesn’t claim to be the only authority. It was also compiled by the Catholic Church, making it inconsistent to reject Church authority

What is autonomy in Christian ethics?

Moral principles are determined by individual conscience, e.g., Situation Ethics

What is Fletcher’s view of Christian ethics?

The central biblical theme is love (agape), so moral rightness depends on maximising love in each situation

What are the critiques of Situation Ethics?

It ignores biblical commands (e.g., against killing, adultery), reducing Christianity to only love

What was Mouw’s critique of Fletcher?

If Jesus wanted only agape, why did He give other commandments?

Why did Pope Pius XII reject Situation Ethics?

Jesus emphasised following all commandments, not just love

How did Fletcher defend his approach?

Since biblical interpretation varies, we should follow its themes, with love being the greatest

How does Catholicism refute Fletcher’s argument?

The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, interprets the Bible collectively—there’s no "crisis of interpretation."