Detailed bullet-point essay plan answering the question 'how fair is the claim that there is nothing distinctive about Christian ethics', written by a student with top grades. Includes reference to scholars including Bonhoeffer/Bentham/Mill/Kant/Fletcher, with synoptic links across topics.
How fair is the claim that there is nothing distinctive about Christian ethics?
Intro:
• Other ethical approaches.
> Kantian ethics/Utilitarianism/Jewish Ethics.
• Different interpretations of Christian ethics.
> Theonomous = sola scriptura.
> Heteronomous = there are several sources of authority.
> Autonomous = agape love is the ruling ethical norm.
Thesis:
• To argue that Christian ethics are entirely different to other ethical practices is a
misunderstanding of its origins.
> Stems from Jewish traditions/ethics.
> Certainly - Christian ethics are very similar to widely-accepted moral codes.
> Highlighted by Jackson + Bowie - there are similar moral codes across societies.
• However - Christian ethics take widely-accepted moral principles further.
> More specific principles that seek to extend the fatherly love of God to communities.
> eg, Christian ethics is built upon the acknowledgement that we are created by God
and have sinned.
• Therefore - overarching themes of love/justice/compassion etc are similar to other
ethical systems.
> However the specific teachings are distinct to Christianity.
Bonhoeffer: German Lutheran pastor + theologian:
• Lived during Nazi German + led vocal opposition, accusing Germans + Nazis of not
confessing their faith + being true to their discipleship.
> Found illegal seminary at Finkenwalde - Theological Declaration of Barmen confessed
Evangelical truths + asserted the centrality of Jesus.
> Specific Christian teachings.
> Civil disobedience + discipleship - placed discipleship to following God’s will above the
law, all human authority + civil responsibility.
> Costly grace + suffering - inherent in Christianity because we are called to pick up the
cross of Christ.
> Visible community - Christians must be the salt + light of a community.
• Distinctive in the centrality of Jesus + specific principles.
> Arguably - some of these teachings were unique to Bonhoeffer.
> However - they were derived from his deap-seated faith in Jesus Christ + can be used
by Christians today.
Tradition:
• Catholicism in particular - heavily associated with tradition.
> Affirmed in Dei verbatum.
> Believed that apostles were commissioned to spread the authentic word of God.
> Values continuity + advocates Natural Law which upholds the idea that some things
have intrinsic value.
> Open to change but by way of upholding traditional values.
• Arguably - Kantian Ethics also values continuity with emphasis on universalisation.
> But KE is not centred around a time context - unlike Christian ethics that sought to
challenge the patriarchy.
> Christian ethics = response to teachings of scripture + historical events such as
Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Although - Jewish + Muslim theonomous approaches view their scriptures/religious
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