Christian moral principles

• What are the two versions of the Christian moral principles summary notes available on the OCR Christianity page?

  A*-A grade and B-C grade
• What is the Catholic view on the sources of Christian moral principles?

  • Combination of Bible, Church, and Reason
  • Apostolic succession is key
  • Natural law ethics is used
• Who did Jesus give authority to for spreading the faith?

  Peter and his disciples
• Why did Jesus' disciples have to create their own teachings?

  Because the Bible did not exist yet
• What does the catechism of the Catholic Church say about the teachings of the disciples?

  It reflects 'what they had learned' from Jesus
• What is the significance of the line of Peter in the Catholic Church?

  It refers to the unbroken line of Popes from Peter to the current one
• How does the Catholic Church view its own teachings in relation to the Bible?

  They view their teachings as equally authoritative to the Bible
• What does 'Reason' refer to in the context of Catholic moral principles?

  It refers to the use of natural law ethics
• What is the Catholic Church's stance on the divine ordination of its authority?

  It believes that God divinely ordained the Catholic Church
• What are the criticisms against the Catholic Church mentioned in the study material?

  • Sale of indulgences
  • Paedophile priest scandals
  • Allegiance with fascism, especially Hitler
• What was the policy of the Catholic Church regarding indulgences?

  To accept money in return for forgiveness of sins
• What did Martin Luther claim about purgatory?


  He claimed it was 'fabricated by goblins'
• What was Luther's critique of the sale of indulgences?

  It was an abuse of power to invent false doctrines for money
• What deeper issue does Luther raise regarding the Church's authority?

  It abuses its authority in creating teachings to serve corruption
• What conclusion did Luther reach regarding Christian authority?

  Christians should only follow the Bible
• What is the Catholic Church's response to its past mistakes?

  • Apologized for past mistakes
  • Acknowledges it is only human and will make mistakes
  • Jesus knew the Church would make mistakes but still gave authority
• What argument does Luther make about the Church's authority?

  No human has the right to undo what Jesus has created
• What is the Protestant view of theonomy?

  • Christian moral principles come directly from God
  • Sola scriptura: the Bible is superior in authority to the Church
  • Church teachings must be subject to correction by the Bible
• What did Luther say about the authority of a simple layman with scripture?

  A simple layman armed with scripture is greater than the mightiest Pope without it
• What was Calvin's view on the Church's authority over the Bible?

  It is an 'error' to think that the Church should have authority over the Bible
• What does the 'priesthood of all believers' mean in Protestantism?


  Everyone has the status of priest and does not need the Church to mediate
• What does 1 Timothy 2:5 say about mediation?

  Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity
• How is the authority of the Bible derived according to the study material?

  From its discernible excellence as a text and the Holy Spirit's engagement
• What does the Bible say about the inspiration of its authors?

  God's breath was breathed into the authors
• What is a critique of sola scriptura mentioned in the study material?

  • It is not explicitly stated in the Bible
  • The Bible does not claim to be the only source of authority
  • There is evidence supporting apostolic succession
• What historical context is provided regarding the Bible's formation?

  The Bible as we know it did not exist until the 4th century
• What is the liberal view of autonomy in Christian ethics?

  Christians can figure out right and wrong through their conscience
• What is Fletcher's main theme in Christian ethics?

  • The main theme is love
  • Ethics reduces to doing whatever has the most loving outcome
  • Individual Christians decide what is morally right in their situation
• How does Fletcher's situation ethics view actions in moral situations?


  There are no intrinsically right or wrong actions; it depends on maximizing agape
• What are the criticisms of Fletcher's situation ethics?


  • Ignores most commands in the Bible
  • Claims actions can be right if they have a loving outcome
  • Fails to follow biblical commandments
• What are the three options Fletcher presents regarding the Bible?

  Take it literally, view it as needing interpretation, or follow its general themes
• What does Fletcher conclude about following the Bible?

  We can only follow its most important theme, which is Agape
• How does Fletcher's view of the Bible compare to the Catholic approach?

  • Catholic approach interprets the Bible collectively
  • There is no crisis of interpretation in Heteronomy
  • Fletcher's analysis fails against the collective interpretation of the Church