Sunday, December 08, 2013

Donald G. Bloesch (PhD Edit)

Maple Ridge

Brief and non-exhaustive use of theologian Donald G. Bloesch from Doctoral thesis. 

Ethics and Morality

Donald G. Bloesch (1987) explains that the knowledge of God leading to theological dogmatics should be for the sake of ethical service for God.[1]  Dogmatic theology should not exist for the sake of itself.[2]

He mentions that followers are to be holy by being separated by God from the world system, in a nearness to God.[3]  Bloesch deduces this is not the same as ‘moral uprightness’[4] but consists of followers living in Christ.[5]  He notes that in every human system of ethics[6] there is demonstrated a human flaw that prohibits people from fulfilling a moral requirement.[7] In contrast, in the context of atonement and justice[8] in God’s holiness, God forgives and forbears and demonstrates his love.[9]

BLOESCH, DONALD G. (1987) Freedom for Obedience, San Francisco, Harper and Rowe Publishers. 

BLOESCH, DONALD G. (1996) ‘Sin, The Biblical Understanding of Sin’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books. 



[1] Bloesch (1987: 12).
[2] Christians should live in service to their neighbours. Bloesch (1987: 12).
[3] Bloesch (1987: 211).
[4] Bloesch (1987: 211).
[5] Bloesch (1987: 211).
[6] Bloesch (1987: 34).  Bloesch is discussing ethical systems and not a defence or theodicy, but still the concepts of human nature and actions relate.
[7] Bloesch (1987: 34). 
[8] Bloesch (1987: 97).
[9] Bloesch (1987: 97).

End

Of course I can drum almost as well with my hand drumming and whatever I hit...