Topical Discussion Question #2

Is it possible for a natural law ethic to honor the sufficiency of Scripture? Define both “natural law” and “sufficiency of Scripture” and present your analysis.

The Aristotelian view on natural law that Aquinas attempted to Christianize creates a dichotomy between earthly and heavenly happiness.  By focusing on the natural law, which is to say that there is a "moral order, found in nature and man himself," then the one who believes in a natural law ethic would believe in the sufficiency of nature.  You would need nothing more than what is revealed in nature - through the environment, through science, biology, anthropology, etc - to define your ethical norms.  The natural law proponent would find all they need for earthly happiness, understanding, and knowledge in the world around them to apply the tenants of that ethic to their lives and to the lives of others.

Unfortunately, due to the sufficiency of Scripture over nature, there is no such dichotomy between earthly and heavenly happiness.  Scripture, as God's revealed Word and therefore His special revelation, is needed by mankind to apply a true ethic to the world order. Scripture provides our basis, and interpretive lens through which we will see ourselves and the world around us.  It is sufficient for providing the norms that are needed to apply a true ethic to life.

Due to the fall, and the infectious nature of sin, the ramifications of that historical event have not only created a problem for man when interpreting nature, but have also created the need for the restoration of God's word and man's access to it through special revelation.  This is how God speaks to us today, and is how we are to interpret both the world around us and ourselves through Scripture's lens.  In God's speaking to us, and our existential revelation in applying his words to our situational perspective - our true ethic is revealed in the way we live our lives.  Natural law is insufficient to provide that revelation, but Scripture is more than sufficient to do so.

Topical Discussion Question #1

Define the naturalistic fallacy and present an example of it from recent discussion: could be from a book you’ve read, a political speech, a newspaper column, etc. Present your analysis and critique.

The naturalistic fallacy is defined as the inability to draw the conclusion of what is ethically obligated based on the premises.  Another way to define this would be to say, "that the is does not imply ought because there is no ought in the premise."  In a recent conversation with a friend, we were discussing the aftermath of a recent storm that ravaged our neighborhoods.  As we spoke, I said that thankfully God had provided for us because all the damage that was done had been taken care of by the insurance company, a timely bonus at work, etc.  He said that they were taken care of as well because "good things happen to good people."  While I was not stating that God ought to provide for me because of the damage we faced, my friend did say that good things ought to happen to him because he is a good person.  This unfortunately is an example of a naturalistic fallacy because the conclusion that good things should happen cannot be derived from the premise that he is a good person.  In my view, God provides for his people because he promises to do so, not because he is obligated to by anything more than his word.  In my friend's view, there is an expectation of provision that ought to come from his view that he is a good person.  As much as I desire for good things to happen to us both, I realize that they don't happen because we are good people, but because God wills the rain and the sunshine to fall upon the righteous and the unrighteous alike.

Romans 8 Exegesis Paper

Assignment:
The paper is an exegesis paper on some portion of Romans 1-8 (at least 10 verses). The section should be a coherent section. Use significant commentaries, lexicons and other important resources to help you understand the passage. You must incorporate in your research not only commentaries and other exegetical helps, but also you must find at least 2 relatively recent articles on your section. Be sure to footnote any information you get from any sources. Include a bibliography. The paper is to be typed, double-spaced. This is a major paper, but should not exceed about 12 pages. If you know Greek, make use of it, but knowledge of Greek is not required.
1. Pick a coherent section Romans 1-8 you are interested in studying of at least 10 verses.
2. Show how your section fits into the outline of the whole epistle and further develops Paul's argument as a whole in this letter.
3. Give a single sentence stating the theme of the section you are examining.
4. Give a very detailed outline of your passage (how every phrase fits in relation to the others).
5. Explain each verse in your passage, discussing any problems in the text and giving your understanding of each verse. This may be done in a commentary style. This is the main portion of the paper.
6. State how the information from your passage should be applied today.

Define the main parameters of how Reformed Theology offers a worldview

Assignment:
Recommended length, 4500 words (approx. 15 pp., double spaced). I will not be rigid about the length, but if the paper is longer, the additional pages should be especially worth reading. If it is shorter, it should be equivalent in quality to a longer paper.

For the paper, you should do some research beyond the course assigned reading and lecture material. Indicate such in footnotes and bibliography, but please use a consistent system.

For a topic, you may choose from the list below or may seek approval on a topic from the professor.

• What are the pastoral implications of the doctrine of election?
• What are the implications of the doctrine of limited atonement for evangelism?
• Define the main parameters of how Reformed Theology offers a worldview.