The strangeness of the peculiar. Evangelical-theological observations of Catholic moral theology and evangelical differences of their opposers

The article presents observations of Catholic moral teaching from the perspective of Protestant theology in the form of theses. In a first section, main traits and distinctions, especially in the tradition of the claimed Magisterium of the Catholic Church, are outlined. The second section deals with typical Protestant critiques and misunderstandings of the Catholic approach. Following this article they are caused by confounding different levels of argumentation: the levels of a) the doctrines of teaching, b) the acting of teaching and c) the comprehensive cultural practice. Unfolding these distinctions and their particular functionings the article draws the surprising conclusion that Protestant theology and ethics often do not match Catholic thinking although they think they do by using the same words. This conclusion may have a huge impact on ecumenical ventures and the Protestant self-understanding. A third section, a brief outlook on these questions, completes the train of thoughts.