Fletcher maintained that the right way to goodness was the application of agape, the love which Jesus commanded: should love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your ‘You soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself’ –Luke wrote that love is the fulfilling of the law: thy neighbour as yourself.’ Love 10:27. St Paul ‘Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.’ Romans 13:10. – This focus on agape means that other guiding maxims could be ignored in certain situations if they do not serve agape; for example, Fletcher says it would be right for a mother with a 13 year old daughter who is having sex to break the rules about under-age sex and insist her daughter uses contraception- the right choice is the most loving thing and it will depend on the situation. However, the situation can never change the rule of agape which is always good and right regardless of the circumstances. 7 What is the law of love? Is Fletcher’s definition of love convincing? 8. Read the teachings of Jesus in Luke 10:25-37 and St Paul’s 1 Corinthians 13 a. Summarise the and message in Luke 10:25-37 b. Summarise the key teachings in 1 Corinthians 13
Fletcher maintained that the right way to goodness was the application of agape, the love which Jesus commanded: ‘You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself’ –Luke 10:27. St Paul wrote that love is the fulfilling of the law: ‘Love thy neighbour as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.’ – Romans 13:10. This focus on agape means that other guiding maxims could be ignored in certain situations if they do not serve agape; for example, Fletcher says it would be right for a mother with a 13 year old daughter who is having sex to break the rules about under-age sex and insist her daughter uses contraception- the right choice is the most loving thing and it will depend on the situation. However, the situation can never change the rule of agape which is always good and right regardless of the circumstances. 7 What is the law of love? Is Fletcher’s definition of love convincing? 8. Read the teachings of Jesus in Luke 10:25-37 and St Paul’s 1 Corinthians 13 a. Summarise the and message in Luke 10:25-37 b. Summarise the key teachings in 1 Corinthians 13
situation-ethics-booklet-1.docx