BTheol Bachelor of Theology Christian Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which concept describes the biblical idea that every person bears the image of God and therefore has inherent dignity?
- Theonomy
- Imago Dei (Correct answer)
- Kenosis
- Parousia
Correct answer: Imago Dei
Imago Dei (Latin: 'image of God') from Genesis 1:26-27 is the foundational Christian basis for human dignity and equal moral worth.
Question 2: Liberation theology, as developed by Gustavo Gutiérrez, places special emphasis on:
- Individual salvation apart from social transformation
- God's preferential option for the poor and oppressed (Correct answer)
- Political neutrality of the church in all social conflicts
- Prosperity as a sign of God's blessing and moral approval
Correct answer: God's preferential option for the poor and oppressed
Liberation theology argues that God's justice requires a preferential option for the poor, making social liberation integral to Christian salvation.
Question 3: The concept of 'stewardship' in Christian environmental ethics teaches that humans are:
- Owners of creation who may use it without restraint
- Managers of God's creation, responsible for its care (Correct answer)
- Spiritually superior to nature and exempt from ecological duties
- Obligated to worship nature as a divine entity
Correct answer: Managers of God's creation, responsible for its care
Christian stewardship ethics holds that humans are caretakers, not owners, of creation, entrusted by God with responsibility for its flourishing.
Question 4: In just war theory, which criterion requires that war be declared by a legitimate governing authority?
- Proportionality
- Last resort
- Legitimate authority (Correct answer)
- Right intention
Correct answer: Legitimate authority
Legitimate authority is the just war criterion requiring that war be declared by a recognized governing body, not private individuals or factions.
Question 5: Which New Testament passage is most central to debates about Christian civil disobedience?
- Romans 13:1-7 (submit to governing authorities) (Correct answer)
- 1 Corinthians 13 (love chapter)
- Revelation 4 (heavenly throne room)
- John 3:16 (God so loved the world)
Correct answer: Romans 13:1-7 (submit to governing authorities)
Romans 13:1-7, where Paul commands submission to governing authorities, is the primary text in debates about when—if ever—Christians may disobey civil law.
Question 6: The Wesleyan quadrilateral uses which four sources for theological and ethical reflection?
- Scripture, Reason, Tradition, Experience (Correct answer)
- Scripture, Prayer, Church, Science
- Creed, Canon, Culture, Community
- Bible, Pope, Council, Conscience
Correct answer: Scripture, Reason, Tradition, Experience
John Wesley's theological method drew on Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience as four interlocking sources for moral and doctrinal discernment.
Question 7: Which ethical issue does the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) most directly address?
- The ethics of wealth and poverty
- The scope of neighbor-love, crossing ethnic and religious boundaries (Correct answer)
- Proper Sabbath observance
- The morality of Roman taxation
Correct answer: The scope of neighbor-love, crossing ethnic and religious boundaries
The Good Samaritan parable expands the definition of 'neighbor' beyond ethnic and religious in-groups, radically broadening the scope of the love command.
BTheol Bachelor of Theology Christian Ethics 3
Which concept describes the biblical idea that every person bears the image of God and therefore has inherent dignity?