RS a level DCT - CMP

Key terms, key ideas, scholars and quotes

3 broad approaches to CMP

theonomous, heteronomous, autonomous

What does sola scriptura mean

only bible

how do theonomous Christians take the bible

literally as the word of God

quote from Jeremiah (old testament) to support the theonomous approach

“I have put my words in your mouth”

what did Mouw argue Christians should do when following God’s law in a modern society

interpret the bible to make it relevant to modern society, as some biblical laws are not applicable

important to take the bible as a whole

what does “scripture interprets scripture” mean

everything is held within the Bible - we do not need anything other interpreter other than from the bible itself

what does amanuensis describe

the idea that the people who write the bible were God’s scribes

what does inerrancy of scripture describe

the belief that the bible is always right

3 strengths of the theonomous approach

moral quandaries avoided as the Bible is infallible

commandments are taught to humans through real life examples which allows us to understand them better

Barth: humans are so far removed theology/use of reason is sinful

3 weaknesses of the theonomous approach

bible has subjective interpretation, as well as a diversity of translation

bible is written in different styles e.g. Luke, Mark, Matthew and John

Hays argues that a person will take texts out of context to fit their own interpretation

what does prima scriptura mean

the bible is the most important source of moral authority

what did Hays say about tradition

it should not be thought of as a fixed thing

e.g. the ordination of women

Magisterium quote on the authority of the church

“the task of authentically interpreting the word of God…has been entrusted exclusively” to the church

2 strengths of heteronomous approach

as it is impossible to read the bible from no point view due to it always being open to interpretation; this much better done in groups than individually

the bible is a book for the collective people of God not just individuals of God

3 weaknesses of heteronomous approach

Jesus criticised relying on tradition and would rather use the word of God

Redford-Reuther argued that the Bible and traditions are androcentric

many Christians disagree with the church being the sole source of authority 

what does the use of autonomy as a source of Christian morality involve

the individual application of reason and Christian principles to determine the correct moral action

where does protestant ethical autonomy base its principles in

situationism and agape

what did Kung argue about ‘global’ ethics

they’re necessary to solve problems such as global warming

what are ‘global ethics’

consensus concerning binding values, irrevocable standards and fundamental moral attitudes

what did Kung say is Christian motivation

to love ones neighbour

define comprehensive

complete and including everything that is necessary

define distinctive

characteristic of one person or thing, and so serving to distinguish it from others

name three scholars that support autonomy as a source of Christian morality

Tillich, Fletcher, Neibhur

what made Pope Francis a realist?

he acknowledged that Christian traditions are difficult to apply in a modern world

three strengths of the autonomous approach to Christian ethics

complex and modern situations cannot always follow biblical rules

principle of love reflects Jesus’ agapeic morals

love creates justice when the law does not

three limitations of the autonomous approach to Christian ethics

descends into moral relativism

Barclay says love is too vague of a concept

rules created by following scripture and reason should be loving anyway

what is bibliolatry

false worship of the bible

what is the difference in the role of tradition between the Anglican and catholic churches

Anglican scripture comes first

Catholic tradition comes first because it is up to the magisterium to interpret scripture

what is propositional revelation

truth claims that don’t need to be interpreted

theonomy suggests the bible is propositional revelation

quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church supporting heteronomy

“to the church belongs the right always and everywhere to announce moral principles”

how does J.A.T. Robinson describe love

as having a “built in moral-compass”

Quote from 2 Timothy 3 on the authority of scripture

“all scripture is God-breathed”

Cardinal Newman on reasonable conscience

interprets conscience as ‘the voice of God’

has even more authority than the Pope because conscience predates the Church’s existence

Does heteronomous ethics interpret the bible as propositional or non-propositional?

non-propositional

How does Jesus summarise all of God’s laws in Mark 12

as being about love

what is the apostolic succession

the basis on which the Catholic Church claims to be an authoritative source of Christian moral principles

originates from Peter, the first pope

Christ began the apostolic tradition where he commanded his disciples to “make disciples of all nations” – thereby creating a social institution with a mission

gives the church ultimate moral authority

quote from Luther on theonomy

“a simple layman armed with scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it”

Mill on theonomy

neither Jesus nor the apostles intended the New Testament to be a complete moral system

more concerned with correcting or superseding the pre-existing morality of the Old Testament

Martin Luther

rejects (catholic) tradition in favour of sola scriptura

Calvin

sola scriptura because humans too limited and sinful to know God

Vatican II

explicitly designed to bring Catholic doctrine up to date so the church could be better equipped to deal with contemporary issues

Newman on tradition

a “living voice” in moral understanding

how does translation undermine theonomy

many different versions of the Bible

even the OT and NT were written in different languages: Hebrew vs Greek

Fletcher quote on love

 “only one thing is intrinsically good; namely, love: nothing else at all”

2 Peter 1

“no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation”

Jesus’ 2 greatest commandments

love God

love your neighbour as yourself