15. Situation Ethics

SCM case study by absolutists - observed movement to antinomianism (abandonment of any rules).

Tillich: opposed secularism; God is 'the ground of our being'.

Robinson: relativism is for 'man come of age'.

Fletcher: situation ethics is the middle way between legalism and antinomianism.

Pragmatism: situation ethics finds the most practical solution.

Relativism: there is one principle to be applied in each situation.

Positivism: proven by the sentiments of the Bible.

Personalism: centres morality on humans' wellbeing.

1. Only loving actions are good.

2. The only norm is (agape) love.

3. Justice is love distributed.

4. Love is non-discriminative.

5. There must be a loving consequence.

6. The loving thing depends on the situation.

example: sacrificial adultery of POW

"The law came from Moses, but grace and truth came from Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

"Love your neighbour as yourself." (Luke 10:27)

Resembles Jesus' debates with the Pharisees: old morality (strict application of Torah) versus new morality (Jesus' ideas about how to apply the law).

Pope Pius XII: Divine Command

• Situation ethics is too subjective.
• It is too individualistic to be practical; selfish human nature.
• No evil act is prohibited.

William Barclay: pessimistic about humans' ability to apply relativism

• Fletcher's situations are too extreme; there are rules for ordinary life.
• "It's easier to agree that extraordinary situations need extraordinary measures."

"Love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10)