NATURAL LAW ASSIGNMENT
Essay Assignment for BTh/CTh
What role should "natural law" play in Christian ethics today?
Introductory Reading
Dictionary articles:
- "Natural Law" in IVP Dictionary, pp619-21.
- "Natural Law" in SCM Dictionary, pp412-14.
Neil Messer, SCM StudyGuide to Christian Ethics, Chpt 3, pp 40-64 offers a basic introduction related to discussions of homosexuality and war.
Lectures 3 and 4 will probably cover some relevant material.
Scripture
Some biblical passages:
- Rom 1.19-21 & 2.14-15;
- Mt 7.11;
- Mk 10.1-9;
- Jer 8.7;
- Amos 1.3ff.
On the possible Old Testament basis for natural law see -
John Barton, "Divine Commands or Natural Law ?" in his Ethics and the Old Testament, pp 58-76 or "The Basis of Ethics in the Hebrew Bible" in his Understanding Old Testament Ethics, chpt 3 (esp pp 48-50)
Tradition
The classic Christian writer here is Aquinas and the main text to read is
- Summa Theologica 1a2ae qq90-97 (Treatise on Law) [Vol 28 of Blackfriars].
It is important you try to read the original - Note that the opening responses are those Aquinas rejects and his own opinions are found in the sections 'on the contrary' and 'I answer that'.
Basic introductions/discussions of Aquinas on Natural Law can be found in
- William May, Introduction to Moral Theology (2nd edn), Chpt 3 (pp71-86).
- Robin Gill, Textbook of Christian Ethics pp76-80,86-87 [on Aquinas], pp120-127 [Copleston on objections to natural law].
Contemporary
Forcontemporary Roman Catholic thinking in the Thomist tradition look at:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Chapman 1994), pp425-432 [Pt 3, Chpt 3, Article 1, 1949-86].
- Germain Grisez & Russell Shaw, Fulfillment in Christ: A Summary of Christian Moral Principles (University of Notre Dame Press, 1991), pp38-85.
- Grisez's work is discussed helpfully in May, Introduction, Chpt 3 (pp93-118)
ForProtestant approaches look at –
- Oliver O'Donovan "The Natural Ethic" in Wright, David F. Essays in Evangelical Social Ethics,
pp19-34. and especially his Resurrection and Moral Order, pp85-87 [small print parts, although do read Part One of this work more widely if you can and find it makes sense].
This is a reworking of the tradition from an evangelical perspective. - Stanley Hauerwas, The Peaceable Kingdom, pp51-64.
This offers a critique of natural law within Christian ethics from a major narrative/virtue ethicist. - Holmgren, Stephen, Ethics After Easter, Ch 3, pp41-60 offers an accessible Anglican perspective.
- Carl E. Braaten, "Protestants and Natural Law" (a search of the journal at this site under "natural law" will throw up other articles which may be of interest)
This gives one account of Protestant struggles with natural law theory.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |