The solution to the dilemma I previously presented is quite simple really. In debating anything, you cannot allow your opponent to corner you. You absolutely must be alert enough to find a way out of the corner your being shoved into. The only way to accomplish this is to be well prepared. Since it's not possible to at all times be prepared to debate anything under the sun, you have to decide what is truly important to you. As Christians, it only makes sense to prepare our minds with a knowledge of the bible.It is our foundation for life. And as such, we should equip ourselves with an understanding of it's content.
This of course doesn't happen over night. You can spend every waking moment of your entire life studying the Bible and yet not fully comprehend the vast stores of wisdom it has to offer. So, you must pick what you will study. But there are somethings that are needed. One of the most frequently attacked aspects of Christianity is the nature of God. This means that knowing God's nature is of utmost importance.
For those with a decent understanding of God, Euthyphro's dilemma is really not to difficult to solve. The thing is, there are not two options, but three. Christians must reject the two options laid out for them. Neither is correct and therefore neither can be chosen. The only remaining question, after rejecting the two given, is, what is the third and correct answer. God's goodness is not a matter of His demanding what goodness is. If that was the case, He could have declared rape, or other physical abuses, as moral. Even mandatory. Goodness also does not come from some higher power above God. There is no one greater than God. Instead, goodness is in God's character. His commands are His expression of His character. So what He tells us is right/wrong is a direct reflection of His own self. Now of course, this all sounds good. But you can't leave things too 'sound good'. You must test everything against scripture.
To start, the idea of God's character being good/righteous must be backed up.
Ezra 9:15, Nehemiah 9:8, Psalm 4:1, 7:9, 7:11, 11:7, 116:5, 119:137, 129:4, 145:17,
Proverbs 21:12, Isaiah 41:10, 45:21, Jeremiah 12:1, Lamentations 1:18, Daniel 9:14,
Zephaniah 3:5, John 17:25, Acts 3:14, 7:52, 1 John 2:1
While these verses tell us of God's righteousness, there still could be confusion. After all, could God's nature not change and thus the paradigm for righteousness change? This is where a very important part of God's nature comes into play. Without His immutability, His goodness is meaningless.
Psalm 102:26-27, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17
So really, now you can almost say that the first of the two original options is in a way, correct. God does decree what is right and wrong. But it is based on His unchanging nature so it does not vary.
So a thing is good because God has said to to be so, but ALL that he says is based on His nature.
Excellent post! Your answer is complete, coherent, and fully founded in God's word. Good job!
ReplyDeleteTabitha
Spot on. The Euthyphro Dilemma is a false dilemma because it fails to accommodate the third option.
ReplyDeleteConsider a degree in philosophy when it comes time to pick a college.
Amazing post. I am sorry for not following your blogs anymore.
ReplyDeleteHI Melody, sorry for being so out of touch. I love this post. Studying God's Word is SO important.
ReplyDeleteI'll be busy this weekend but I want to email you soon. GOD IS SO GOOD! I've got to tell you what He's been doing.
Well I have to go to bed because I have an early day tomorrow.
Potty training my two year old brother! lol (for real)
Very nice! It had a great flow to it and was very understandable.
ReplyDeleteYou have some good points! I agree, we are to do our best to be like God. That's where our rules about sin and morality come from.
ReplyDeleteYour answer to the Euthyphro dillema does not work. It raises the question of why is it good for God to have the character that he does, and you have to face the same dillema again.
ReplyDeleteI have been doing research for a college philosophy paper and stumbled upon this. I was curious to see someone else's opinion on the matter. This was great!
ReplyDeleteThanks! =)
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that you have take an interest in Moral Philosophy. Futher you that you have a good head on your shoulders. But I must point out your third solution is simply a restating of one of the two solutions given to the Euthyphro Dilemma.
ReplyDeleteIf acts are right (or wrong) because they are commanded (or prohibited) be God, then morality is arbitrary. Or if acts are right (or wrong) irrelevant of God's commands and prohibitions, then morality is independant of God.
So you still only have the two choices either morality is arbitary, or is independent of God.
Take Care
De Oppresso Liber
I found this extremely interesting, as I myself just solved the Euthyphro Dilemma right (well not right, but close to) before finding your page. My thoughts are right along the same line as yours, though I expanded more on the whole God = love part of his nature. And morally wrong stuff can't contradict love, stuff like that. Check out my blog if you get the chance! :)
ReplyDelete"Instead, goodness is in God's character. His commands are His expression of His character. So what He tells us is right/wrong is a direct reflection of His own self"
ReplyDeleteYour solution fails as it falls straight back into the dilemma.
At best all you can say is that God happens to match up with what the properties of goodness are but that doesn't solve the problem.
Also, I'd advise you not to use biblical scripture in what is a philosophical discussion. You can pick out nice verses that seem to correlate with what is good but the opposite is also the case.