Christian Ethics, Lutheran Tradition, and Pluralistic Society

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeppe Bach Nikolajsen
Keyword(s):  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
Ethical Position

SummaryIn the Lutheran tradition, the particular aspects of theological ethics have often been overlooked, if not outright denied. Thus, it is not uncommon for Lutheran theologians to emphasize the universal aspects of theological ethics and to downplay its particular aspects, even to the point of arguing that a Christian ethics does not exist. Against this background, the article gives several arguments for drawing Lutheran ethics in a direction that will allow its particular aspects to be more clearly articulated. It also presents certain features of Luther’s ethical position that might foster an understanding of the particular aspects of Lutheran ethics. Building on this, the article points to a contemporary Lutheran position of relevance to a pluralistic society.

scholarly journals Christian Ethics, Public Debate, and Pluralistic Society

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeppe Bach Nikolajsen
Keyword(s):  
Public Debate ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
The Church

Abstract In all its diversity, Lutheran ethics places a pronounced emphasis on the universal aspects of theological ethics. This article argues that due to the increasing pluralization of many societies in recent decades, however, it is becoming more and more relevant to develop the particular aspects of theological ethics in the Lutheran tradition. Holding together both the universal and particular aspects of theological ethics constitutes a position of relevance for a pluralistic societal situation. Such a position enables the Christian church to maintain its distinctiveness and, at the same time, to be engaged in dialogue with other positions. In this way, the church will at once stand for a tradition-determined distinctiveness and be engaged in a tradition-transcending dialogue. Consequently, this position is characterized by both distinctiveness and openness.

The Gardeners' Dirty Hands

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah J. Toly
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Salient Feature ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Global Environmental Governance ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Dietrich Bonhoeffer ◽  
Dirty Hands ◽  
Global Environmental Politics ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
Environmental Thought

In The Gardeners’ Dirty Hands: Global Environmental Politics and Christian Ethics, Noah Toly engages the resources of Christian theological ethics to identify, explore, and respond to the most salient feature of contemporary environmental challenges. In conversation with contributions to Christian ethics, Toly argues that modern environmental thought, global environmental governance, climate change, and the Anthropocene are characterized by a struggle with the tragic, which may be described as the need to give up, forego, undermine, or destroy one or more goods to possess or secure one or more other goods. Drawing upon the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Toly develops a “Cruciform imaginary” that should inform our responses to the tragic.

scholarly journals Graciously commanded: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth on the Decalogue

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-141
Author(s):  
Philip G. Ziegler
Keyword(s):  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Karl Barth ◽  
Divine Command ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Dietrich Bonhoeffer ◽  
Divine Commands

AbstractThis essay examines and compares the treatment of the Decalogue in the theological ethics of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It argues that while both theologians orient their exposition of the Decalogue by attending to its primary character as divine self-revelation, approach it with a view to a Christian ethics of divine command, and frame their understandings in decisively christological terms, they differ markedly on the extent to which the commandments themselves can and ought to be understood as representing concrete divine commands.

scholarly journals Kristen etik i et pluralistisk samfund

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-121
Author(s):  
Jeppe Bach Nikolajsen
Keyword(s):  
Martin Luther ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
Strong Emphasis ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Ethical Reflections

In recent decades, a growing number of theologians have discussedthe challenges and opportunities facing the Christian church as Western societies have become increasingly pluralistic. In a number of articles and books, various issues relating to this situation have been discussed. In continuation of this conversation, the article demonstrates that a tradition for a strong emphasis on the universality of theological ethics has existed in the Danish theological tradition, which is exemplified by reference to Martin Luther, Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig and Knud Ejler Løgstrup. Then, the article presents some empirical and theological arguments for the necessity of a stronger articulation of the particularity of theological ethics. Finally, the article shows how a theological position which expresses the particularity of theological ethics, while at the same time maintaining its universal basis, can contribute with some instructive and constructive perspectives on theological ethical reflections in a pluralistic society.

Ethnography, Ecclesiology, and the Ethics of Everyday Life: A Conversation with the Work of Michael Banner

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-171
Author(s):  
Samuel Tranter ◽  
David Bartram Torrance
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Social Anthropology ◽  
Anthropology Of Christianity

This article begins by introducing recent work by Michael Banner, who advocates the use of social anthropology generally (not just the anthropology of Christianity) for the Christian ethics of everyday life. His use of ethnography in Christian theological ethics is then situated in relation to recent discussions in ecclesiology and ethnography. Situated thus, Banner’s work forms the springboard for a brief discussion of what is at stake for theological ethics in turning to ethnographic research. While some dangers are highlighted, a way forward is offered for the fruitful use of ethnographic research in this field.

Ethics at the Edges of Law

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathleen Kaveny
Keyword(s):  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Legal Tradition ◽  
Legal Cases ◽  
Moral Thought ◽  
Stanley Hauerwas ◽  
Legal Thought ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Conversation Partner ◽  
Health Care Law

Ethics at the Edges of Law: Christian Moralists and American Legal Thought shows how methods and doctrines drawn from the American legal tradition can constructively advance the discussion of key issues in Christian ethics. More broadly, the book argues that religious ethicists should consider legal thought to be a valuable conversation partner on a par with philosophical thought. Each of the chapters places the work of an important contemporary figure in Christian ethics in conversation with particular legal cases and questions. The book is divided into three major parts: “Narratives and Norms,” “Love, Justice, and Law,” and “Legal Categories and Theological Problems.” Ethicists considered include John Noonan Jr., Stanley Hauerwas, Jeffrey Stout, Gene Outka, Margaret Farley, Paul Ramsey, Robert E. Rodes Jr., Walter Kasper, Germain Grisez and H. Tristram Engelhardt Jr. Legal topics explored include the development of the common law as a morally rich tradition, the relationship between rules and particular cases, and the role of individual experience in formulating generally applicable norms. Theological issues discussed include the meaning of covenant fidelity, the requirements of compassion, and the demands of neighbor love. Fruitful intersections between law and theological ethics are developed by considering particular examples and cases from contract law, criminal law, and health-care law. Ethics at the Edges of Law ends by examining the various and often conflicting meanings of the term “legalism,” which has long been considered a derogatory term in Christian moral thought.

Beyond a Northern Paradigm

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-38
Author(s):  
Linda Hogan ◽  
Kristin Heyer ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
The State ◽  
International Exchange ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Majority World ◽  
Inflection Points ◽  
Catholic Theological ◽  
State Of The Field

Notwithstanding the commitment to the inclusion of historically underrepresented communities, Christian ethics continues to be dominated by the voices, concerns, norms and methodologies of scholars from the northern hemisphere. This paper analyses the state of the field through the lens of the Catholic Theological Ethics in a World Church network whose mission is to promote international exchange. It assesses the lacunae arising from the northern-centric nature of Christian ethics as practiced in the northern hemisphere, highlights the inflection points, and considers the likely re-prioritization of concerns that will flow from the systemic inclusion of the multiple, diverse voices of majority world scholars.

Gesellschaftlicher Ethikbedarf und theologisches »Angebot«

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-181
Author(s):  
Kari-Wilhelm Dahm
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Change ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Ethical Challenge ◽  
Inadequate Response ◽  
Theological Ethics ◽  
Corporate World ◽  
Nazi Ideology ◽  
Corporate Action

Abstract The rapid change of values in the latter half of the 2Qth century required new ethical answers and considerations in all areas of society (family, corporate world, medicine, biotechnology, etc.). The need for a new »Christian Ethics« in Germany permeated all of society after the collapse of Nazi-ideology and valuesystems. The article shows how Protestant ethics in and around Germany have failed to adress this need. There are two main reasons for the inadequate response. First, the mainstream of Protestant ethics widely refused to offer specifically »Christian« contributions to the moral reconstruction of society, based on a fear that core of Christianity would yet again be utilized as a lable of legitimacy. Secondly, theological ethics were focused on the discourse of principle to an extent that the laboraus work of application was left more or less undone. Protestant ethics did not succeed in making ethical commitments and considerations relevant for specific questions and needs for example in the area of medicine and biotechnological research or in the realm of corporate action and interaction. The lack of applicability and immediate relevance calls for a discourse and collaboration that integrates the ethical disciplines with those members and institutions in society that are confronted with and confronting the ethical challenge

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