Abstract
This research deals with the question of whether an ecumenical ethics can be developed in South Africa that at least will be applicable in the field of political ethics and that can assist the various ecclesiastical traditions to ‘speak with one voice’ when they address the government on matters of Christian ethical concern. The research rests on the recognition of the variety of ethical persuasions and points of view that flow from the variety of hermeneutical approaches to Scripture. However, within this plethora of ethical discourses, an ‘overlapping’ ethics based on a proposed set of minimum theological ideas can be pursued in order to reach at least an outline of an applicable ecumenical political ethics conducive to the church–state dialogue in South Africa today. The article concludes that a ‘minimum consensus’ on the role of revelation in the moral discourses is possible and is enriched by traditional ideas such as creation and natural law, the reign of God and Christology, and it can provide a suitable common ground for an ecumenical ethics applicable to the moral difficulties in the political domain in South Africa today.
Highlights
This research article was inspired by two personal experiences of witnessing to the South African government of the day on Christian ethical matters as a member of a church delegation
The protest of many churches was rejected owing to the divergence of opinions and conflicting ideas in ecclesiastical circles. These experiences raised the question of whether an ecumenical ethics can be developed in South Africa that will at least be applicable in the field of political ethics and that can assist the various ecclesiastical traditions to ‘speak with one voice’ when they address the government on matters of Christian ethical concern
Can we find a common ground in our different views of the authority of Scripture in our search for an ecumenical ethics applicable to the church–state debate in South Africa? In an effort to answer this question, the various views of Scripture are defined briefly with the aim to find some common ground that can serve as a hermeneutical precondition for a South African ecumenical ethic
Summary
This research article was inspired by two personal experiences of witnessing to the South African government of the day on Christian ethical matters as a member of a church delegation. The central theoretical argument of this article is that a ‘minimum consensus’ on the role of revelation in the moral discourse is possible and, enriched by traditional concepts such as creation and natural law, the reign of God and Christology, it can provide a suitable common ground for an ecumenical ethics applicable to the political domain (see Hadsell 2006:19).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
