Notes on Christian Moral Principles in accordance with the OCR Religious Studies specification. The notes provide information, scholars, ideas and quotes compiled from various resources from both within and outside of the curriculum.
Bible as the Only Authority
- the Bible is the only authority because it is the word of God
- ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.’ Jeremiah 1:9
- Sola Scriptura is the notion that the Bible alone is the source of ethical
commands, Protestant Churches are more likely to prioritise this view
- literalists argue the Bible offers propositional knowledge, which asserts facts
or states of affairs, meaning it can be trusted and followed
- non-literalists argue the Bible has non-propositional knowledge, knowledge
inspired by God but not necessarily actual facts, so Christians likely need
other sources of knowledge as the authority of the Bible is diminished
Strengths
1. Free from human’s imperfect influence and supported by the authority of
God’s word
2. Aquinas places Divine Law over Human or Natural Law, showing the
hierarchy that makes Bible the supreme authority
Weaknesses
1. Not written to be a factual, historical source and is constantly being adapted
by successive translations/writers. Very few texts were written to be in the
Bible, they are just ancient texts that include poetries and stories
2. moral codes do not align or work with today’s society. ‘The God of the Old
Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction.’
Dawkins
3. doesn’t align with scientific and historical fact, eg parting of the Red Sea and
Noah’s Arc
4. regressive and harmful moral principles due to cultural and historical
influence, ‘I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man;
she is to keep silent.’ 1 Timothy 2:12
5. ‘the slogan of sola scriptura is both conceptually and practically
untenable.’ Richard Hays
Combination of Bible, Church and Reason
- The Apostolic Tradition established Church’s authority, as Jesus’ passing on
to the apostles is known as the ‘deposit of the faith.’
- the Magisterium is the authority of the church to teach and interpret
scripture meaning the Bible Is not the only authority and Church Tradition is
equal to the Bible
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarises the Church’s stance on
issues such as abortion, scientific research, war and can be updated by the
Pope
- Anglican Tradition maintains that prima scriptura, the Bible comes first, but
it is not the only source of understanding
- Reason is also vital to know how an individual Christian applies the
Bible/Tradition to situations
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