MORAL PRINCIPLES DETAILED ESSAY PLAN2023 questions with answers

MORAL PRINCIPLES DETAILED ESSAY PLAN2023 questions with answers A: As inspired by God himself, the Bible must act as the only source of moral decision-making - Correct Answer• Morality is therefore determined by God's scriptural commands only (propositional revelation) - an approach best exemplified (by Protestants in particular) as "sola scripture" Jeremiah 1 "Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me: "I have put my words in your mouth" • Writers of the Bible are thus scribes of God (amaneuensis); scripture is self-authenticating and infallible. Meaning is set, interpretation is consequently not required 2 Peter 1:20-21 "No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation" • Taking Scripture as inerrant offers clear guidance on moral matters - Christians able to trust an objective divine morality. CA: Issues of Biblical messages/ understanding - Correct Answer• Biblical writings vary in tone and perspective. John presents a mystical depiction of Jesus while Matthew is concerned with how Jesus' life fits in with Jewish scripture and culture. Biblical teachings can be contradictory! Divorce shown by Jesus as okay in Mark but not okay in Matthew. Equally, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus seems to be overturning many Old Testament commandments... • Furthermore, limited in the sense that Biblical messages lack applicability in today's society: Arguably not applicable in the 21st century - no mention of democracy, same-sex marriage, IVF, nuclear weapons; limited - reason is required to interpret Biblical teachings in light of ethical and technological developments. R: Ethics are illustrated through real life situations and parables e.g - Correct AnswerKing David and his adulterous relationship with Bathsehba arguably makes the Bible useful and easy to understand. CR: Hermeneutical readings (thus forced to reject objectivity of Biblical messages), or seek other sources... - Correct Answer• An overreliance on biblical ethics arguably contributes to patriarchal influences upon Christianity, due to primacy of male authorship. Ruether would argue the Bible needs re-interpreting via a feminist hermeneutical approach. A commitment to Sola Scripture seems inflexible, and may prohibit sharing of truths between religions... • Alternative = Friedrich Schleiermacher The Hermeneutical Circle - a person must read a passage within the context of meaning of the Bible, and then within the context of one's own life. As one's understanding develops, new meaning and interpretation will be brought to one's life. • Overall, reliance upon the infallible nature of the Bible is far too rigid, impractical approach to moral decision making in 21st century.