1. Lesson 3 Situation Ethics – Fletcher’s middle way
Learning Objectives
Know the one rule which situation ethicists follow
Explain agape in detail
Apply the Biblical teachings of Jesus to agape
Read original texts by Joseph Fletcher

2. Examples of legalism and antinomianism Starter
In groups of three
1- Soloman Islands
2 – Egypt
3 – Central African Republic
Read your article
What is each story about?
Which approach do the people display?
Do you think this approach seems to work?
What are the problems with this approach?

3. Summary
When the Church give lots of rules for it’s adherents, this is called ‘LEGALISM’
When society has no rules to obey, and what someone does is based merely on the situation and intuition, this is called ‘ANTINOMIANISM’
Can we think of examples in our society today where antinomianism and legalism can be seen.

4. Situational approach
To Fletcher, Situation Ethics is the correct middle position between these extremes: ‘Situation recognises one law or principle, one absolute norm, namely love.’ He goes on to say ‘Situation Ethics is the responsible self deciding whether rules serve love or not. This is the situational strategy in capsule form’.

5. Situation ethics
Most commonly associated with Joseph Fletcher and J. A. T. Robinson, emerged at a time when society and the Church were facing drastic and permanent change.

6. Situationalism and agape All you need is love
Read page 13 and complete task 7 on agape – there is more information on page 17
Agape
That humans will never fully know
what is right and wrong
That love is the most important ethic
That love is an ‘absolute’ law
Relativist and consequentialist
That it has no laws or precepts
That reason leads us to love

7. Complete task 8- Bible Passages
Situation Ethics remains a Christian ethic, despite it being critical of mainstream Christian approaches to morality which are often too legalistic.
Luke 10:27
1 Corinthians 13
Additional teachings
John 15:13
John 3:23
Hebrews 11:31

8. Plenary Discuss the situation on page 9 with your partner
Read the original text by Joseph Fletcher
1’s answer question on legalism
2’s answer question on antinomianism
3’s answer question on situationalism
Use your and mindmaps/notes

9. HomeworkExam skills task
Explain why Fletcher rejected antinomianism and legalism for agape love. 30 marks Complete pages

10. Explain why Fletcher rejects ‘antinomianism’ and ‘legalism’ in favour of ‘agape’ love. [30 AO1]
Antinomianism is the idea there are no rules, laws or principles which must be followed: the situation itself will provide the solution, which can be found through intuition. Fletcher rejected this because he said this would lead to moral chaos, anyone could do anything they liked. Legalism is a different type of ethical approach, which is based on following prescribed rules by which people can make every moral decision. Fletcher also rejected this because he said this type of system does not allow people the freedom to make moral choices and does not consider the situation they find themselves in. Fletcher said that we should base all our moral decision-making on the application of agape (selfless love) to each unique situation. One needs to act in a loving way even if that means breaking established moral rules/codes of practice. He aimed to achieve the ‘Middle Way’ between the two extremes of antinomianism and legalism. He identified the principles to help people achieve this.

11. Before we start . . . Unscramble the key words Lehftcre Susje Ntcisog
Meallgis
Fletcher
Jesus
Gnostic
Legalism

12. The Four Working Principles
Read the Vardy and Grosch and WJEC booklet on the four working principles ( )
Make notes on the Four WPS
Devise a revision tool to help you remember the 4 working principles. E.g. Pick Ripe Plums Please
Pragmatism – pragmatic/practical -
Relativism – related to the situation not absolute
Positivism - positive decision to put love first
Personalism – person first

13. Plenary
Complete the key term matching activity – on a separate A4 sheet