Christian Ethics

Christian Ethics

1. Authority

   • Bible
   • Church
   • Holy Spirit
   • Conscience
   • Love
   • Reason and Natural Law

2. Religion and Morality

   • Autonomy
     • morality independent of religion - just reason
   • Theonomy
     • ethical rules and religion are the same
   • Heteronomy
     • morality shaped by religion - teachings
   • Humanists say that morality has nothing to do with religion - it is based on reason and social circumstances
     • Our morals have evolved
     • Different times from the Bible

3. Euthyphro Dilemma

   • "Is something right because the gods command it or do the gods command it because it right"

4. Divine Command Theory

   • something is good just because God commands that it is
   • Aquinas, Luther and Pope John Paul II reject this

5. Other Theories

   • Utilitarianism
   • Kantian Ethics
   • Natural Law