Quote:
Originally Posted by Davidius  Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivanhoe A moral action requires three things:
1) obedience to a norm
2) proper motive
3) understanding the situation properly
Stealing is wrong, but in wartime I will steal information.
Killing is wrong, but in wartime I will kill | Adultery is wrong, and in wartime you will commit adultery to get information? You should change the variable to something that isn't in the category which everyone knows "in their common sense" is okay during wartime.
The Jews had to offer sacrifices for sins of ignorance, didn't they? |
Is killing in wartime legit? Maybe. Instead of adultery, let's say "make love to wife." That is honorable but if I do it for the wrong motive (to get something, bribe, power) it is sin. If I do it in the wrong situation (where it damages her health, etc).
Moral theology, and the Bible, does reason this way:
1. We must walk according to the commandments (God's word--our
normative perspective)
2. We must have the the proper telos (we must seek the kingdom/glory of God; do
all things to the glory of God)
situational perspective
3. We must have the proper motive (love, a heart purified by faith--our
existential perspective ).