This document discusses natural law and its relationship to morality, ethics, and divine command theory. It defines natural law as the general moral values revealed in creation that can be discerned through reason and are consistent with special revelation in the Bible. It addresses criticisms of natural law and debates surrounding its implications for ethics, jurisprudence, and how moral conflicts are resolved. Key figures discussed include Thomas Aquinas and their views on natural tendencies, human nature, and the role of the state.
There are incompatibilities between Islam and Christianity in the Qur'an (Koran) and Bible. We study the theological problems, the underlying philosophy, and support for Biblical truth
Bibliology project - Mormonisim vs. ChristianityDionne Renae
If religious beliefs of candidates is important to you (i.e. Romney-Mormon vs. Obama Christian) this slide show constrast the two religions from a Christian perspective.
Witnessing to Muslims using the Any3 method, or that advocated by such evangelists as Bachman, and the problems with the CAMEL method. Contrast of Islamic beliefs with the Bible and truth.
There are incompatibilities between Islam and Christianity in the Qur'an (Koran) and Bible. We study the theological problems, the underlying philosophy, and support for Biblical truth
Bibliology project - Mormonisim vs. ChristianityDionne Renae
If religious beliefs of candidates is important to you (i.e. Romney-Mormon vs. Obama Christian) this slide show constrast the two religions from a Christian perspective.
Witnessing to Muslims using the Any3 method, or that advocated by such evangelists as Bachman, and the problems with the CAMEL method. Contrast of Islamic beliefs with the Bible and truth.
This is a study of Jesus condemning the Pharisees. They are hypocrites for they teach human rules rather than the word of God. They honor god with their lips but there heart are far from Him.
Comparing and Contrasting Theories of Ethics Theory Of Eth.docxmaxinesmith73660
Comparing and Contrasting Theories of Ethics
Theory
Of Ethics
Virtue Ethics
(VE)
(Deontological)
Natural Law
Ethics (NL)
(Deontological)
Trust-based or Troth Ethics (TE)
(Deontological)
Divine
Command
(DC)
(Deontological)
Utilitarianism
(U)
(Consequentialist)
Author of Origin
(Aristotle: selfsufficiency model): this is a pantheistic model, but the insights on moral character and justice have informed all theories of ethics, & so can be integrated into other theories. VE connects character development w/ acceptance of truth and goodness as revealed in the universe. Ethics are really about morality.
(Thomas Aquinas:
Thomism of
Roman Catholic Church: nature as redeemed/ completed by
grace - Christ) Christian view applying revealed truth through Divine Law (DL),
Natural Law (NL),
& Human Law
(HL), to see how faith completes thinking. Ethics is the acting out of faith within society.
(Christian
Reformed,
Protestant:
Dooyeweerd &
Olthuis): Faith transforms people’s vision and values. Christian view applying the Word of God (Jesus and the Bible, and 15 irreducible Creational laws) to the loving work of transforming our world. Ethics is a unique law w/in the order of God’s creation for building networks of trust in community.
(Protestant focus: emulating God’s perfect character): Be Christ to one another. Christian view that applies scripture to human action to correct sinful actions and to promote the image of God’s perfect character to one another. Ethics refers to actions of motivated by obedience to God’s Word in contrast to sinful actions.
An atheistic view forged during the empirical era by
Jeremy Bentham and
John Stuart Mill. Util.
ethics emphasizes
the common good
over the individual person’s good. The focus on measuring consequences against desired outcomes has led many people today
to try to apply ethics without making fundamental value judgments. Praise or blame is based on how the results help or hurt the majority in our society. Ethics is focused on social well-being and places human pleasure seeking in that context.
Nature of man
Rational nature of man; body/soul composite.
Man is a body/soul composite, with a rational soul and faith completes reasoning.
Man is a spiritual being in which creation is created by irreducible aspects of meaning; Faith contextualizes & directs/guides reasoning.
Man is a body/ soul composite. God offers restoration of man’s fallenness (away from God) into sin through obeying scriptural revelations of how to live.
Man is a social creature, driven by pleasure, capable
of rational speculation
Virtue Ethics
Natural law Ethics
Trust-based Ethics
Divine Command
Ethics
Utilitarianism
The essence of ethical judgment as explained by each theory of ethics
Virtue – performance towards the good; Good leads to complete wellbeing. The focus is on being a good person rather than worrying about how every action is good or bad.
The purpose guiding ac.
Ethical Theory PaperElijah KimWhat is the meaning of being a hBetseyCalderon89
Ethical Theory Paper
Elijah Kim
What is the meaning of being a human? What is the meaning of being a good person? What is good? And why do we have to be good? The word ethic carries many implications and foundations. In Christianity, God creates this universe, earth, and man/woman in "his" image. However, the Human is not God and made many ethical mistakes that ask God for forgiveness. "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." (Romans 2:1). No human being is innocent in front of God and not allow to judge each other. The ethical theory sets the foundation for a "right human being" and has numerous ways to break down.
Ethical theory "is the systematic effort to understand moral concepts and justify moral principles and theories" (Fieser 2017), which means the study of Right Action. This "Right Action" can be divide into three different divisions. Metaethics can be defined as a God's view. For many religious believers and religious cultures, the Metaethics can be easily found. However, people who do not believe in a higher power or bird view have a problem with divine command metaethics (Morriston 2009). In the Metaethics view, moral obligations are taught and fixed by religious belief. For the non-religious believers there Metaethics can be set by the Karma they heard of or the own belief system. Just because of believing in religious belief and Karma, Metaethics do not take the basics from realism or antirealism. Instead, it contains the focused theories (Davis 2021).
Moral Realism in Metaethics asses the meaning of the moral. Moral realism is the position of right and wrong in a variety of situations. Religions like Christianity made committed to moral realism for three different reasons. First, "constructivists tend to attribute moral facts to agents as their origin" (Jung 2015). In Christianity bible has the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. These Ten Commandments are the fundamental moral value of Christian belief and set the standard. Commandments like "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and "Thou shalt not kill" are the well-known rule as a "basic human being." Like the last sentence, the bible has a clear example of do's and don'ts, right/ wrong.
The bible also advised what evil (bad) can affect the person "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Many religious people believe in God's purpose. An example of Christianity, Genesis advised, Human were made to glorify God and his creation. Adam and Eve were also created to manage God's creation. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). The explicit purpose gave men and women a clear vision of life and motivated them to stay in God's ...
Making converts, gaining decisions, does not equal making disciples. It is essential we look at the right ideas, in the right way to make real disciples of King Jesus.
It is common to refer to the process of maturing as a disciple as spiritual formation. Here, based upon work by Greg Ogden, I give a four stage process for growing into maturity, and fruitfulness, as a follower of King Jesus.
Jesus expected a process of change, growth and development in the life of his followers. Many writers suggest a three or four stage process. A four stage process is outlined here, along with personal challenge / application.
Disciple-Making, according to Greg Ogden requires at least tow major factors: Internalisation and Multiplication. This presentation adds to his ideas with some scripture and illustrative ideas challenging followers of Christ to become, and make, disciples in his image.
Name someone...who has impacted your life.
Disiple-making is a deliberate act requiring discipline and dedication
“Discipleship is all about living the life together rather than just one structured meeting each week” Chan
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
Rae, Moral Choices: Ch2 - Christian ethics - Part D
1. Goodness and general
revelation
We need to see Gods commands in
special revelation (the Bible) in
conjunction with his moral values
expressed in general revelation - this
is called natural law and will be dealt
with soon. Moral precepts and
objective goodness were revealed in
general revelation before the Bible
was given.
Natural law is simply the general
revelation in the area of morals. So
God’s command are consistent with
his character and general revelation.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
2. Problems with divine
command ethics
1. Calling God “good” presupposes a
notion of goodness that must be
independent of God or religion. This is
answered by Rae suggesting that
using a map to show directions to a
city does not presuppose that the map
came before the city. In the same way,
just because I must know something
about goodness before I know that
God is good does not mean morality
is independent of God.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
3. 2. The problem of the apparent conflicts in scriptural
commands.
Rahab in Joshua 2 lies in order to protect the Israelite
spies - she is then recorded in Hebrews 11. There are 3
ways to resolve such conflicts of divine commands:
A. Maintain that no conflict really faces the believer -
nonconflicting absolutism.
Since an infallible God inspired his inerrant word, no
such conflict of commands is possible. Admitting such
a conflict would compromise the character of God by
saying he could give conflicting commands. So when
absolutes (commands) of the Bible are properly
interpreted there will never be such a conflict.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
4. How do we resolve this?
- Suggest that in God’s
providence Rahab should have
told the truth and trusted God.
- Capture the intent of the
command more clearly - not
bearing false witness is not a
blanket prohibition of lying but
of maliciously lying - therefore
Rahab was ok to act as she did.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
5. B. Admit the conflict exists, but
sin is still sin, even when a
person faces competing
obligations. Such moral
dilemmas are not due to any
flaw in God’s character - in fact
people should choose to do the
lesser evil. So you sin (lie) then
immediately kneel and repent.
A person then should not be
morally culpable for something
that could not be avoided and in
which they had no choice.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
6. C. Graded absolutism suggests
as in B that moral conflicts are
part of a fallen world but the
choice made is not evil and the
person has not chosen the
“lesser evil” in their actions. It is
simply a morally justifiable
choice and not sin. So here there
is a hierarchy in God’s laws. In
Acts 4 preaching the gospel was
a greater command than
submission to authorities. Matt
23:23ff justice, compassion,
mercy are considered greater
than tithing.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
7. Natural law in Christian
ethics
Natural law is a controversial idea
in moral philosophy in general
and Christian ethics in particular.
In philosophy this is because it is
an ethic which is transcendent in
nature and not a human creation -
e.g. it has been used in the past to
oppress some groups (like
women) as it has a God’s eye view
on the world which is inconsistent
with modern thinking and
morality.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
8. Natural law in Christian
ethics
In Christian ethics this has mainly
been an area of RC theologians and
philosophers. The Reformers
rejected it as they did not think with
sin in the world that morality could
be discovered apart from clear
revelation in the Bible, and also, the
Bible was the central source of
moral and spiritual authority. In the
20th century Barth and Brunner
argued natural law undercut the
centrality of Christ for moral life.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
9. Critical issues
concerning natural law
Natural law is at the centre of a number
of crucial questions in Christian ethics:
- to what degree can moral values be
known apart from special revelation?
- what is the relationship between
reason and revelation in ethics?
- to what degree can a person be good
apart from special grace of God?
- to what degree is Christian ethics
different from nonreligious ethical
systems? Is there common ground for
Christian and non-Christian morality?
Wednesday 16 May 2012
10. Thomas Aquinas
1224-1274, Italian, best known for
Summa Theologica, which includes
important sections on ethics.
A fundamental concept was of the
public good under the law.
- the good is based on the natural law,
the natural tendencies of a thing - you
consider its end and its function, (both
part of the way God made it), and
happiness is knowing God and loving
the good, evil is what interferes with it .
Wednesday 16 May 2012
11. - held that natural law imprints itself
on beings and therefore determines
its actions to proper inclinations and
ends. Natural law can be known by
reason by everyone regardless of
their relationship to God.
- saw humans as essentially social
beings, the state therefore had room
to intervene and improve the lot of
society, institutions exist to develop
good people.
If you believe in natural law then you
will argue for Christian social mission
and activism in a system that
complements Gospel proclamation.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
12. Defining natural law
This term is used in 2 main ways:
- general, widely shared moral
views / values which are not tied
to scripture - justice, fairness,
respect for the individual, telling
the truth, not harming people etc.
These come out of human
observation and practice through
the centuries - in essence it is
Gods general moral law revealed
through general revelation.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
13. Defining natural law
- in RC circles it is used in looking at
reproductive ethics and offers
reasoning for the validity of their
conclusions. It refers to what is
natural in creation - anything that is
not ‘natural’ is therefore prohibited,
contraception, abortion, IVF etc.
Protestants tend to reject it for
reproductive technologies and
accept it for genetic modifications.
Additionally it is used to argue
against homosexuality
Wednesday 16 May 2012
14. The biblical basis for
natural law
Romans 2:1-16 is the main
passage cited.
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do
not have the law, do by nature
things required by the law, they are
a law for themselves, even though
they do not have the law. 15 They
show that the requirements of the
law are written on their hearts, their
consciences also bearing witness,
and their thoughts sometimes
accusing them and at other times
even defending them.)
Wednesday 16 May 2012
15. The biblical basis for
natural law
God appears to hold those without
the law as being accountable just as
Jews are (2:17-29). This must mean
they have access to God’s view of
morality (in gen. rev.) - they “have”
the values of God without having
scripture. (This is also seen in some
prophets addressing nations - Isa
13-27, Jer 46-51 etc.)
Wisdom literature also suggests that
wisdom can be natural and revealed
- and are legitimate
Wednesday 16 May 2012
16. The limits of natural
law
Many criticisms do not relate to
natural law itself but how it can be
known. The Reformers had a strong
view on the sinfulness of man and
so thought natural law was virtually
useless - it has been corrupted by
the fall and by self interest.
Special revelation is needed as we
cannot tell in some instances if
something is natural in creation or
caused by sin - e.g. Death which was
not part of God’s original plan but
that happens to all.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
17. The limits of natural
law
Many aspects of spiritual life
require special revelation -
salvation etc.
Natural law helps reveal some
proper motives but greater
clarification can only be gleaned
from Scripture. Rae says in all
things scripture should be the final
arbiter. Natural law is consistent
with scripture but not all of it is
contained in scripture, though
scripture does clarify some of it.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
18. Natural law and
jurisprudence
There are two schools of thought
regarding natural law and the law:
- legal positivists suggest there is
no connection between the law
and morality. Laws are valid
because they are created by
recognised institutions.
- moral realism suggests that laws
that do not correspond to objective
values are non-laws, or invalid
laws. For a law to be valid it must
relate to objective moral truths.
Wednesday 16 May 2012
19. Natural law and
jurisprudence
“For Christians there are objective
values grounded in the creative
activity of God, revealed in general
revelation, deduced by reason and
experience. They are also substantially
revealed in scripture. What natural
law does is to provide a common
ground between Christian and non-
Christian ethics, a basis for dialogue
and a means by which Christian ethics
become persuasive to the world.”
Wednesday 16 May 2012