Changing our corporate mind: reflections on paradigm shift in ethical thinking

Abstract

AbstractLegalisation of marriages with a deceased wife's sister (MDWS) was once controversial among Christians. The pattern of Presbyterian pronouncement on MDWS – initial dogmatic assertion (accompanied by debatable claims about their long-standing traditions), strong initial claims about the teaching of scripture, apocalyptic fears about possibly drastic social consequences of liberalisation, and later muted acceptance – is also reflected in the English Reformed Churches' discussions of divorce and remarriage. The author notes both the inexperience and ill-preparedness of church bodies for the debates, accompanied by initial dogmatism disproportionate to their experience of the subject, and the diversity of opinion on divorce and remarriage held by people who shared a common approach to scripture.The tone of discussion and the manner in which dialogue takes place is in itself part of the church's witness just as much as what is said. Truth and unity must be seen as equally important: faithfulness to God requires both orthodoxy and orthopraxis. Unity is founded on relationships rather than holding the same opinion on all matters. This is based on the relational unity of God the Trinity. In seeking scriptural guidance, the Christian community must read scripture together rather than individualistically.Acts 11–15 provide guidance when re-evaluating deeply held convictions, but purported analogies between the acceptance of Gentiles in the church without requiring them first to conform to the Jewish requirement of circumcision and the acceptance of other conduct require close examination.