moral law 8th grade for notes - mr ammerman's...

Mr A

MORAL LAW

- Epistemology- This area asks “How do I

know?”

- Metaphysics- This area asks, “What is real?”,

“What is eternal?”

- Now we come to Ethics, which asks “How

ought I to live?”

Introduction:Most basic questions:

- Ethics is concerned with giving rational

justification to answer the question-

- WHAT IS THE ________?

- GOOD

Goal of Ethics

5 things that are required for Ethics: 1. There must be a metaphysical absolute

• (Only some is eternal.) 2. There must be personal immortality

• (Consequences SHORT and LONG term) 3. There must be personal choice.

• (Choices are made based on values) 4. “The Good” must be ABSOLUTELY clear

• (Clarity is required for accountability) 5. “The Good” must be Rationally Justified

• (That’s what allows all humans to follow it)

Requirements

There is a Moral Law that is (3 C’s):

A. Clear - the moral law is grounded in human nature

B. Comprehensive - it applies to ALL choices since all choices AIM to achieve the Good

C. Critical - the consequences of achieving the Good are a matter of LIFE or DEATH (spiritually)

Conclusion

How we will DERIVE each Moral Law: • We will begin each moral law with universal concepts

and show that there is an ORIGIN of them • We will discuss the NATURE of these concepts • We will conclude with the final LAW itself • We will discuss the APPLICATIONS and how people

try to not follow the Law • Lastly, we will discuss the CONSEQUENCES of

following or not following the Law

Going Forward…

Application

NatureOrigin

Law

Consequences

The GOOD: A. is the end in itself B. is NOT virtue C. is NOT happiness

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. The good is grounded in human nature, in the reality of choice

b. CHOICE assumes VALUES c. VALUES assumes the GOOD

LAW:

MORAL LAW 1 God and the

Good

God, as creator of human nature, is the determiner of good and evil for man.

7. Teleology - Goal focus (Is 11:9)

vs Deontology - Duty or Consequentialism -

Happiness (Matt 7:22,23) (Ecc 2:1-3)

6. Moral Law vs

Divine Cmd Theory

(Num 22:20-32)

4. Theonomy - God’s Law

(Duet 5:33) vs

Autonomy (self law)

Moral Law 1 Applications

5. Moral Law (Deut 30:11-14) (Rom 2:14,15)

vs Heteronomy - Outside law

1. Theism (Gen 1:1)

vs Non-Theism

(Ps 14:1)

2. Objective Clarity (Rom 1:20)

vs Skepticism & Fideism

(John 17:3) (Prov 1:22) (Prov 2:1-5)

3. Subjective Clarity (Heb 11:6)

vs Emotivism &

Voluntarism (Jer 17:9)

V S

ML 1 CONSEQUENCES

To affirm what is clear about God brings a life full of meaning. (John 17:3)

Moral Evil is the denial of one’s nature as a rational being (Rom 3:10-18) Denial of reason is spiritual death.

Self- meaninglessness, boredom and guilt. Group - death of relationships/institutions & cultures.

Text

A. Thinking is presuppositional B. Less basic in light of More basic: C. If we agree on more basic ideas,

we will agree on less basic ideas

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. By nature we think b. All humans have an idea about

God

LAW:

MORAL LAW 2 On Thinking and

the Nature of God

We are to think presuppositionally about God. We are to think about the finite (man) in light of the infinite (God). TRUTH

MeaningExperience Belief

Finite/Temp Infinite/Eternal

7. Divine Nature vs

All forms of Idolatry (misconceptions of

God) (Jn 17:3)

6. Divine Nature vs

Pop Chr. Doctrine of Hell (John 11:25,26)(Rev 20:6,10,14)(Rev

21:8)

4. Divine Nature vs

Denial of Vicarious

Atonement (Jews) (Isa 53)


5. Divine Nature vs

Suffering & Indulgences pay for

sin (Acts 8:18-20) (Heb 12:5-11)

1. Presuppositional thinking

vs Non- Presuppositional thinking (Exo 20:4-6)

2. Divine Nature vs

Deism & Divine Justice (Gen

3:14-19)(Rom 6:23)

3. Divine Nature vs

Denial of Atonement

(Islam) (Heb 9:15)

V S

ML 2 CONSEQUENCES

Affirmation of the true nature of God brings unity among theists, continuity of belief through the generations, & increase of understanding. (Deut 7:9)

DDACC Distortions -->

Divisions --> Apostasy -->

Cultural decay --> Collapse (2 Kings 17:7-23)

A. Integrity is a concern for consistency (unity) in what we say and what we do. (Ecc 5:4-7)

B. Both implicit & explicit, to ourselves, and to others.

C. Integrity is not sincerity. (Job 27:2-6) (Job 40:6-8)

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. There is a natural unity in our being.

b. There is a natural concern not to be divided against oneself.

LAW:

MORAL LAW 3 Integrity and Knowledge

We should have integrity; we should have a concern for consistency.

7. Integrity vs

Practical & Psychological

concerns above Truth (James 4:4)

6. Integrity vs

Hypocrisy (failing to change)(Rom

2:1-5)

4. Integrity &

Discipline (James 1:19-25)


5. Integrity (Pro 6:1-5) &

Vows (Num 30:2) (Deut 23:21) (Ecc 5:5)

1. Integrity &

Self-examination (Mat 7:1-5)

2. Integrity &

Commitment to Reason (Mat 5:37)

(Titus 1:10-16)

3. Integrity &

Accepting implications (1 Cor

15:12-19)(Mat 12:22-37)

V S

ML 3 CONSEQUENCES

As integrity increases, clarity increases.

As integrity decreases, stupor increases.

A. Work is not an end in itself. It is a means to the good.

B. The good is the knowledge of God

C. The good is achieved through work • CICICCCFUT

D. Work for the good requires hope

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. To bring into being and to sustain in being requires work

b. Work is a part of our nature because we exert energy to accomplish things

LAW:

MORAL LAW 4 Work, Good and

True Hope

We should work for the Good with True Hope.

7. True Hope vs

Beatific Vision-‘seeing God’ (John 1:18)(1 Tim1:17)(Deut 4:12)

(John 5:37)(John 4:24)

6. True Hope vs

Cyclical Fatalism (Gen 1:26-31)

(Gen 2:1-3)

4. True Hope vs

Salvation by works (Is 64:6)

(Eph 2:8,9)


5. True Hope vs

Millennial Supernaturalism

(Gen 1:26-28) (Matt 28:18-20)

1. True Hope vs

‘Heaven’ & no work as the Good (John 17:3)(2 Thes 3:6-15)

2. True Hope (Pro 6:6-9) vs

No Hope (everything is meaningless)(Heb 11:8-13,

39) (Rom 8:28)

3. True Hope vs

Man bringing Heaven on Earth

(Rom 3:10-18)

V S

ML 4 CONSEQUENCES

Work for the good is fulfilling

Work apart from the Good is empty (Ecc 2:17-26)

A. Authority is rational, not personal

B. Authority is based on insight, not might

C. Insight is historically cumulative, not individual

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. We are born ignorant. b. We need to be taught the good

and the means to the good c. Authority is expressed

fundamentally in teaching

LAW:

MORAL LAW 5 Authority &

Insight

Authority based on insight must be honored. Authority without insight must be changed where possible.

7. Auth & Insight vs

State over Family State over Business

(or Vice versa)


Church & State being together


Reversing order of Authority in

Institutions (Phil - Psy - Prac)



Totalitarianism among Institutions

(Gov’t over All)


People in charge w/o Insight (in family,

state, school, & church)


Principles not Self-Attesting (Tradition, intuition, scriptures)


Reversing order of Authority in a

person (Th-Feel- Will)

V S

ML 5 CONSEQUENCES

Authority based on insight protects and is productive of the good

Authority without insight

subverts and perverts the good

A. Human dignity - the capacity to understand. We understand by reason.

B. Reason in man is natural, not conventional; it is universal - the same in all persons

C. Human society is a society of rational beings. Participation requires the use of reason.

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. We are born human b. Human dignity distinguishes us

from animals

LAW:

MORAL LAW 6 Human Dignity & Rationality

We are to affirm human dignity. We are to treat others as having the capacity & responsibility for understanding.

7. Human Dignity vs

Final Judgment by God

6. Human Dignity vs

Opposing Capital Punishment

4. Human Dignity vs

Abortion, Euthanasia,

Suicide


5. Human Dignity vs

Psychology removing

accountability

1. Human Dignity vs

Force in Murder (~discipline) & War

(~reason)

2. Human Dignity vs

Racism (Race placed above

Reason)

3. Human Dignity vs

Gender Wars (Men vs Women)

V S

ML 6 CONSEQUENCES

To affirm human dignity in oneself is to affirm it in others

To deny human dignity in

another one must first

deny it in oneself

A. Sex is a sign and seal of love B. Physical union revels a

spiritual union. C. A full union of two persons is

monogamous & lasting D. Love, in marriage, seeks the

good for and with the other, and for those we bring into being

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. The origin of our being is from a sexual union of our parents

b. Through the nurture of our being, by our parents, the good is achieved

LAW:

MORAL LAW 7 Sex, Love,

Marriage & the Good

Marriage is to achieve the good There is an order for marriage which protects it (7 gates)

7. Marriage vs

Disregard the order that protects

it (7 Gates)

6. The Good of Marriage

vs Children as the

Good

4. Lasting Marriage

vs Divorce (except adultery

or abandonment) (Pro 6:27-29)


5. Sex as natural Union

vs Anything Unnatural

1. The Good for Marriage

vs Putting the Other

as the Good

2. Nature of Persons

vs Separating Sex

& Love

3. Full Marriage vs

Polygamy/ Polyandry

V S

ML 7 CONSEQUENCES

Marriage for the good increases the good in one’s own life and the lives of others, through generations

Ordinary infidelity is rooted in spiritual infidelity

A. Value is a function of supply & demand B. Demand is a function of one’s view of the

good C. Supply is a function of talent D. Talent is

• ability to achieve some aspect of the good

• Is in each person • Given to each for all • Is based on interest and ability • Developed by effort by you & others

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. We naturally value things. No one values all things alike

LAW:

MORAL LAW 8 Value & Talent

One is to develop one’s talent in pursuit of the good in service to others. Failure is taking from others what is of value that belongs to them

7. Developing Talent

vs Unlimited wealth by keeping others in

debt


vs Wasteful

Spending (SETI)


vs Laws that limit

Talent



vs Disincentives for

effort (No Pay)


vs Neglecting by sloth or greed


vs Misuse of Talent for not the Good

3. Developing Talent vs

Capitalism ( I own) & Communism (We own)

V S

ML 8 CONSEQUENCES

The use of talent for the good increases the richness of life for all

The neglect or abuse

of talent increases the

poverty of life for all

A. Ultimate justice is ontological. B. Social justice is first

distributive, then contractual and finally retributive

C. Full social justice is both preventative & corrective

D. To have justice, one must know the truth and speak the whole truth

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. We are born equalWe are not necessarily born equal in society or in talent, but in human dignity we are born equal

b. In justice, equals are to be treated equally

LAW:

MORAL LAW 9 Truth & Justice

We are to seek justice by knowing and speaking the truth.

7. Whole Truth vs

Making Private things Public

6. Whole Truth vs

False Advertising

4. Whole Truth vs

No Freedom of Speech


5. Whole Truth vs

Abuse of Freedom of

Speech

1. Whole Truth vs

Ignorance as Excusable (Silent

Assertion)

2. Whole Truth vs

Fideism

3. Whole Truth vs

Privacy of Public Affairs

V S

ML 9 CONSEQUENCES

A faithful witness

brings about justice

An unfaithful witness shares in injustice and its consequences

A. The Good is not virtue nor happiness • Happiness is the effect of

possessing what we believe is the good.

B. Suffering results from evil, moral and natural.

C. ME is NARDing inherent Spiritual Death

D. NE is Callback imposed not as punishment to STOP & THINK

ORIGIN:

NATURE:

a. We are born changeable. b. We can change in what we

think about good and evil c. Suffering arises when we

think we cannot possess what we believe to be the Good

LAW:

MORAL LAW 10 Suffering & the

Good

We are not to be discontent in pursuing our own view of the good, but to be content in pursuing what truly is the good.

7. Seeking True Good

vs Fatalism (No

Hope of change)


vs Cynicism (People

are just Evil)


vs Discouragement

in hardships



vs Hedonism (Self

indulgence)


vs Envy of others circumstances,

abilities & honors


vs Stoicism

(hardening of oneself)


vs Resentment, Complaint & Bitterness

V S

ML 10 CONSEQUENCES

To those who seek the good, all things are seen as working together for

the good.

To those who do not seek

the good, suffering from

natural evil is avoided as meaningless

7.______________ ________________

vs ________________________________________________

6.______________ ________________

vs ________________________________________________

4.____________ ________________

vs ________________________________________________

Moral Law__ Applications

5.______________ ________________

vs ___________________________________________________

1.______________ ________________

vs ________________________________________________

2. ______________ ________________

vs ________________________________________________

3.______________ ________________

vs ________________________________________________

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