N Christelik-etiese metateorie vir vandag

’N Klassiek-Gereformeerde perspektief

Bibliographic Data

ID21609862
AuthorsJ M Vorster (0000-0003-4529-5343, North-West University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume59
Issue1
Publication date2025-07-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueIn die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1018-6441 • E-ISSN: 2305-0853
PublisherAOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA)
DOI10.4102/ids.v59i1.3173
OpenAlexW4412071063
LanguageEN
References cited18

A Christian-ethical metatheory for today: A classic Reformed perspective. The aim of this article is to contribute to the development of a metatheory of Christian ethics from the perspective of the classical Reformed Theological tradition. In contrast to the moral relativism advocated by modern liberal ethical patterns of reasoning, as well as the plea for an exclusive focus on divine command ethics characteristic of contemporary evangelicalism, this study proposes a biblical ethics determined by various contexts. These contexts include the cultural-historical context of Scripture, its canonical context, its congruent theological framework as well as the modern social context and a context of crisis. When all these contexts are considered, the Christian moral agent may discern moral norms through the implementation of the ethical theories of deontology, virtue ethics, and consequentialism. Christian ethics should therefore not be reduced to either moral relativism or sole divine command ethics. Contribution: Engaging Scripture within all its contexts and defining norms for modern social and crisis contexts leads to obedience to clear biblical norms, while also acknowledging the reality of adiaphora, the imperative to imitate the attitude of Christ, and living within the sphere of the freedom of a formed Christian conscience

Sociology · Theology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Philosophy · Reformed Theology and Governance · Religion and Sociopolitical Dynamics in Nigeria

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