Theological Basis of Ethics
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Introduction to Christian Ethics
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO Department of Theology Christian Ethic Syllabus Template1 Introduction to Christian Ethics Building, Room #, Days and Times: Instructor’s Name: Office Hours: Contact Info./E-mail: Course Description Introduction to Christian Ethics is a core course that explores the major sources, methods, and insights of Christian social and theological ethics. Particular attention is given to Roman Catholic thought. The course will concentrate on the foundational sources in Christian ethics and examine the moral significance of major theological themes and affirmations. It will show how these foundational sources and themes guide ethical understanding concretely by examining one or more pressing issues of the day (e.g. ecology, immigration, poverty, medical ethics, among others). Learning Objectives This course will expose students to some of the central theological themes and affirmations of the Christian tradition, such as understandings of the God-human relationship, the nature of the human person, creation, sin, and salvation. We will see how various theological commitments contribute to Christian ethical reasoning about contemporary moral problems in their personal and social dimensions. The course will ask students to think about what constitutes an ethical problem. Students will learn basic ethical concepts and theories, such as deontological and teleological approaches, natural law, and virtue theories. Students will identify the major sources of Christian ethics (Scripture, Church tradition, philosophy, the social and human sciences, and human experience), and gain practice in identifying how different thinkers use, interpret, and prioritize these sources. Students will think critically about how to interpret each source, how the sources interrelate, and which sources take priority when they conflict. -
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Contemporary Moral Theology
• CTSA PROCEEDINGS 51 (1996): 97-113 • THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONTEMPORARY MORAL THEOLOGY This exploration of the role of the Holy Spirit in moral theology will be divided into two major movements. First, the paper will review several themes from contemporary moralists which seem to suggest that an integration of pneumatology into moral theology may be of great assistance to moral theology. Second, the paper will review current pneumatology with a view to showing a series of themes from today's pneumatology which might serve to enhance contemporary moral theology. In some cases, the themes raised from moral theology will match those raised from pneumatology. But in other cases, a theme raised from moral theology will not yet have been addressed in much detail by pneumatology, or, vice versa, pneumatology will suggest a fresh approach to moral thinking which has not yet been developed extensively in moral theology itself. The decision to frame the paper by exploring the movement from moral theology to pneumatology and then the movement from pneumatology to moral theology will create some overlap in the treatment of different issues, but my judgment is that the exploration of both of these movements will be the most fruitful way to proceed. Hopefully my approach will help show how a number of potentially rich connection points between pneumatology morality and a natural law morality can cohere with one another. MORAL THEOLOGY'S NEED FOR PNEUMATOLOGY Many aspects of post-Vatican II moral theology suggest that moral theology has the potential to be much enriched by pneumatology. -
Norman Geisler on Molinism
Norman Geisler on Molinism http://normangeisler.com What did Norm Geisler say about the Middle-Knowledge, Molinism, and the thought of Luis de Molina? Several people have asked about this by email. This blogpost attempts to provide an answer based on six sources of Norm’s comments on Molinism: 1) Geisler, Norman L. “Molinism,” in Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999) pp. 493–495. 2) Geisler, Norman L. Chosen but Free: A Balanced View of Divine Election, 2nd edition (Bethany House, 1999) pp. 51-55 3) Geisler, Norman L. Systematic Theology, Volume II: God, Creation (Bethany House, 2003) pp. 206-207 4) Geisler, Norman L. Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (Baker Books, 1995), p. 450-446 5) Classroom lectures by Norm Geisler on God’s Immutability in the course TH540 (“God and Creation”) at Veritas International University, circa 2013. Class #3 - https://vimeo.com/72793620 6) Four private emails answered by Norm Although some paragraphs have been reworded slightly in the attempt to avoid copyright infringement, and the sources have been blended together in a somewhat repetitive and less-than-seamless way, this compilation remains faithful to what Norm wrote and said. The reader is encouraged to acquire the four books cited above to read this material in its original contexts. Apologies are offered in advance for the somewhat hurried and patchwork-nature of this compilation. LUIS DE MOLINA (A.D. 1535–1600) was born in Cuenca, New Castile, Spain. He joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and became a theologian. The theology that bears his name claims to protect the integrity of human free will better than any other system. -
JESUS and CHRISTIAN ETHICS New Scholarly Approaches Account for Much of the Recent Rise of Interest in Jesus
Theological Studies 56 (1995) CURRENT THEOLOGY NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY 1994 JESUS AND CHRISTIAN ETHICS New scholarly approaches account for much of the recent rise of interest in Jesus. Instead of starting from Christological and trinitar- ian doctrines, scholars have turned to history, literary criticism, and the social sciences to discover the identity and meaning of Jesus. Two conflicting responses based on historical methods appear in the works of John P. Meier and John Dominic Crossan.1 The well-publicized Jesus Seminar scrupulously sorts biblical texts and the Gospel of Thomas into five layers of authenticity printed in different colors.2 The "quest for the historical Jesus" has moved into a new phase. First, the 19th-century "lives of Jesus" presented him as a teacher of universal moral truths; then Rudolf Bultmann and the "second quest" portrayed Jesus as the eshatological prophet; now the "third quest" considers him a teacher of unconventional wisdom.3 Jewish scholars have reclaimed the Jewishness of Jesus.4 Major recent works on New Testament ethics anchor these teachings in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.5 The 1994 convention of the CTS A addressed the theme of Jesus for the first time in its fifty-year history.6 Revisionist moral theology has generally brought in Jesus via Chris tological doctrines rather than "from below," i.e. from gospel accounts of Jesus' words and deeds. That too appears to be changing. Jon So brino has written the first volume of what promises to be liberation 1 John P. Meier, A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus, vol. -
Natural Theology in Evolution: a Review of Critiques and Changes
This is the author’s preprint version of the article. The definitive version is published in the European Journal for Philosophy of Religion, Vol.9. No. 2. 83-117. Natural Theology in Evolution: A Review of Critiques and Changes Dr. Erkki Vesa Rope Kojonen University of Helsinki, Faculty of Theology Abstract The purpose of this article is to provide a broad overview and analysis of the evolution of natural theology in response to influential criticiques raised against it. I identify eight main lines of critique against natural theology, and analyze how defenders of different types of natural theology differ in their responses to these critiques, leading into several very different forms of natural theology. Based on the amount and quality of discussion that exists, I argue that simply referring to the critiques of Hume, Kant, Darwin and Barth should no longer be regarded as sufficient to settle the debate over natural theology. Introduction Adam, Lord Gifford (1820-1887), who in his will sponsored the ongoing Gifford Lectures on natural theology, defined natural theology quite broadly as “The Knowledge of God, the Infinite, the All, the First and Only Cause, the One and the Sole Substance, the Sole Being, the Sole Reality, and the Sole Existence, the Knowledge of His Nature and Attributes, the Knowledge of the Relations which men and the whole universe bear to Him, the Knowledge of the Nature and Foundation of Ethics or Morals, and of all Obligations and Duties thence arising.” Furthermore, Gifford wanted his lecturers to treat this natural knowledge of God and all of these matters “as a strictly natural science, the greatest of all possible sciences, indeed, in one sense, the only science, that of Infinite Being, without reference to or reliance upon any supposed special exceptional or so- 1 called miraculous revelation. -
Session 1 Handout
Christian Ethics Session 1: What is Christian ethics? The Revd Phil Edwards 2008 What is Ethics? Ethics is about how we decide what is right and what is wrong. “Ethics is the study of everyday behaviour” and so involves every aspect of our lives. What is Christian Ethics? When we speak about Christian ethics, it does not mean that: a) those who are not Christian do not live by a moral code; b) its content is different from other ethical systems; c) Christian ethics are superior to other ethical systems; d) all Christians agree about what is right and what is wrong. One definition of Christian Ethics: Ethics which considers the specific situation, gathers the facts and uses the principles (commands and doctrine) and values to be found in Christianity. Use of terms • Morality is used to describe our principles or convictions about what is right and wrong and our ultimate values. • Ethics or Moral Philosophy refers to the study of those principles and values, analysing them critically and working out how we make decisions. • Applied or practical ethics is the way we apply ethical theories to practical situations. • Meta-ethics is the study of the status of ethical theories. For example, a discussion of the meaning of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. • Moral theology “is a discussion of the principles which … should govern the behaviour of a Christian” (Macquarrie & Childress, p 398). These principles are then applied to particular situations. Moral theology in the past has been more associated with the Roman Catholic Church and studies actions in the light of our true end, our close relationship with God or our vision of God. -
Theological Studies: Christian Ethics – Entrance Exam Study Guide The
Theological Studies: Christian Ethics – Entrance Exam Study Guide The Ph.D. Entrance Exam in Theological Studies will consist of essay questions in two parts, each part approximately 3 hours in length. Part 1 (the morning session) will assess readiness for work in Theological Studies generally. You will have some choice concerning which questions to answer, but it is understood that you will answer all questions in your anticipated area of specialization: Christian Ethics, Church History, Philosophy of Religion, or Systematic Theology. Part 2 (the afternoon session) will assess readiness for advanced work in one of six areas of specialization. You will select one area of specialization and will answer questions in that area only. You may have some choice concerning which questions to answer. The exam will be closed book, so you will not be allowed to use any resources other than the writing instruments you bring with you and the writing paper and instructional materials that will be provided in your exam folder. Applicants are expected to be prepared to write for 90 minutes on any of the following questions. Essays will be assessed according to the following criteria: Relevance and Argumentation Students should give careful attention to the question and outline refined arguments. Student should incorporate & critically interact with relevant resources related to the field. Writing Mechanics Students’ responses should be intelligent, and precise. Reasonable arrangement of paragraphs and ideas should enhance a reader’s understanding. Responses should be focused, and vocabulary varied. Responses should contain very few grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Awareness of Relevant Scholarship Students should show awareness of seminal sources, major figures and pivotal events related to the field and incorporate and properly interact with resources related to the question. -
Gendering Christian Ethics
Gendering Christian Ethics LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN ETHICS SERIES SERIES EDITOR: DR. DAVID TOREVELL SERIES DEPUTY EDITOR: DR. JACQUI MILLER VOLUME ONE: ENGAGING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Editors: Joy Schmack, Matthew Thompson and David Torevell with Camilla Cole VOLUME TWO: RESERVOIRS OF HOPE: SUSTAINING SPIRITUALITY IN SCHOOL LEADERS Author: Alan Flintham VOLUME THREE: LITERATURE AND ETHICS: FROM THE GREEN KNIGHT TO THE DARK KNIGHT Editors: Steve Brie and William T. Rossiter VOLUME FOUR: POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION Editor: Neil Ferguson VOLUME FIVE: FROM CRITIQUE TO ACTION: THE PRACTICAL ETHICS OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL WORLD Editors: David Weir and Nabil Sultan VOLUME SIX: A LIFE OF ETHICS AND PERFORMANCE Editors: John Matthews and David Torevell VOLUME SEVEN: PROFESSIONAL ETHICS: EDUCATION FOR A HUMANE SOCIETY Editors: Feng Su and Bart McGettrick VOLUME EIGHT: CATHOLIC EDUCATION: UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES, LOCALLY APPLIED Editor: Andrew B. Morris VOLUME NINE GENDERING CHRISTIAN ETHICS Editor: Jenny Daggers Gendering Christian Ethics Edited by Jenny Daggers Gendering Christian Ethics, Edited by Jenny Daggers This book first published 2012 Cambridge Scholars Publishing 12 Back Chapman Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2XX, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2012 by Jenny Daggers and contributors All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-4438-4005-X, ISBN (13): 978-1-4438-4005-7 CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................ -
Major Texts in Theological and Social Ethics
MAJOR TEXTS IN THEOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ETHICS I. Scripture and Ethics Bible: Exodus 19:17-23:33; Leviticus 19; Amos; Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49; Romans 12:1-15:13; I John and relevant commentaries John Donahue, “Use of Scripture in Catholic Social Teaching,” in Modern Catholic Social Teaching ed. Kenneth Himes (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2005). James M. Gustafson, "The Place of Scripture in Christian Ethics," in Theology and Christian Ethics (Philadelphia: United Church Press, 1974), 121-146. Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament (San Francisco: Harper, 1996), Parts I-III. II. Historical Sources* “The Didache,” in Early Christian Fathers: Library of Christian Classics Vol. I, ed. Cyril C. Richardson (New York: Simon&Schuster, 1996) Clement of Alexandria, "The Rich Man's Salvation" in Alexandrian Christianity ed. Henry Chadwick and J.E.L Oulton (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1977) Clement of Alexandria, "On Spiritual Perfection" (Stromateis, VII) in Alexandrian Christianity ed. Henry Chadwick and J.E.L Oulton (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1977) St. Augustine Of Hippo, Of the Morals of the Catholic Church trans. Richard Stothert, ( Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2010). St. Augustine of Hippo, Concerning the City of God Against Pagans, trans. Henry Bettenson (London: Penguin Books: 1984), Books XIV and XIX St. Augustine of Hippo, On Grace and Free Will (Ohio: Beloved Publishing LLC, 2014) St. Augustine of Hippo, On the Good of Marriage. St. Augustine, Treatises on Marriage and Other Subjects trans. D. Wilcox et al, ed. Roy Deferrari. (Washington DC, Catholic University of America Press, 1955.) St. -
Journal of Christian Legal Thought
Journal of Christian Legal Thought Tribes Thinking 1 THADDEUS WILLIAMS Critical Theory and the Social Justice Movement 10 NEIL SHENVI AND PAT SAWYER Law Follows Culture, Except When It Doesn’t 14 JEFFERY J. VENTRELLA Christian Citizenship and Religious Liberty 23 DOUGLAS GROOTHUIS Stand Your Ground 30 P. ANDREW SANDLIN Proposed Regulations Would Protect Religious Student 32 Groups — and Why that Matters KIM COLBY VOL. 10, NO. 1 (2020) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The mission of theJournal of Christian Legal Thought is to equip Journal of and encourage legal professionals to seek and study biblical truth as it relates to law, the practice of law, and legal institu- tions. Christian Legal Theological reflection on the law, a lawyer’s work, and legal institutions is central to a lawyer’s calling; therefore, all Chris- Thought tian lawyers and law students have an obligation to consider the nature and purpose of human law, its sources and develop- ment, and its relationship to the revealed will of God, as well VOL. 10, NO. 1 | 2020 as the practical implications of the Christian faith for their daily work. TheJournal exists to help practicing lawyers, law students, judges, and legal scholars engage in this theological PUBLISHED BY and practical reflection, both as a professional community and The Institute for Christian Legal Studies (ICLS), as individuals. a Cooperative Ministry of Trinity Law School and Christian The Journal seeks, first, to provide practitioners and stu- Legal Society. dents a vehicle through which to engage Christian legal schol- -
The Nature of Moral Decision / Human Freedom
... THE NATURE OF MORAL DECISION BY NORMAN GEISLER WHEATON COLLEGE 1958 THE NATURE OF MORAL DECISION r. The basic views of human freedom. A. Indeterminism. B· Determinism. c. Self-determinism. II. A Christian view of human freedom. A· Definition: Circumscribed self-determinism. B. Defense of self-determinism. 1. From self examination. 2. .l''rom scientific experimentation. 3. From social and spiritual expectance. 4. From scriptural exegesis. III. The nature of free choice in general. A. intrinsic make up. 1. It is voluntary (self-directed). 2. It is rational {self-deliberated). 3. lt is intentional (self-designed). B· Extrinsic modifiers. 1. Violence. 2. Ignorance. 3. Emotions. IV. The nature of a moral decision in particular. A. It involves a moral agent. B· It implies a moral law. 1. Moral acts. 2. Indifferent acts. v. Some problems relat ing to free choice. A. ttuman r·reedom and Divine sovereignty. B· Human freedom and 11borderline cases". c. Human freedom and modern psycho analysis. D. Human freedom and 11Total Depravityu. E. Human freedom and the unity of human personality. The ability to make a free moral choice is perhaps one of the most unique characteristics that man possesses. Hence, it is man as chooser to which we turn our attention. The question before us is: what is the precise nature of a moral choice or even more basically is there any such thing as a free choice at all? To the latter question there are basically three answers. First, there is the reply of Indeterminism which asserts that man as chooser in some respects is independent of either external or internal causal factors. -
Philosophy in Seven Sentences Press
Philosophy in Seven Sentences 1. “Man is the measure of all things.” (Protagoras) The case against Protagoras comes down to this. If we want to learn anything, if we want to improve as human beings, if we want to condemn the Ted Bundys of the world, if we want any kind of educated taste, if we desire to understand and honor humanity, then we must reject the “man is the measure” theory. Each person is indeed the measurer of some things. Some of them the individual gets right; some of them the individual gets wrong. And in this difference lies all the difference in the world, and even outside of it. —Excerpt taken from chapter one, “Protagoras” Philosophy in Seven Sentences: 2. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Socrates) A Small Introduction to a Vast Socrates uttered his famous phrase “The unexamined life is not worth living” while on trial Topic in Athens, charged with corrupting its youth through his philosophizing. His court oration is Available February 2016 one of the most famous of its kind. Few philosophers—or anyone else—have been given the $16, 144 pages, paperback chance to sum up their lives and defend their cause while knowingly on the edge of death. 978-0-8308-4093-9 Philosophers have been known to get into trouble, but seldom have been physically martyred for the cause.... Socrates was the first philosophical martyr. But why such drastic measures for a humble man who desired knowledge so much that he was willing to follow arguments wherever they lead? —Excerpt taken from chapter two, “Socrates” Douglas Groothuis offers an 3.