MORAL THEOLOGY

FORMAT: -1page for every two questions -1.5 space -Text is Arial -Font is 12 Submission will be on Wednesday June 26. Papers submitted 15 minutes after the start of the class will not be

Assignment # 1

What is Moral Theology ? Differentiate the 2perspectives of MT What are the sources of MT?

Explain the 3-Models of Morality

Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of Catholic Morality

by Richard M. Gula Christian Ethics, Volume 1 Moral Theology in Light of Vatican II; Volume I General Moral Theology, Third Edition By Fr. Karl H. Peschke

REFERENCE S:

Mission
We, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a Dominican institution of learning, commit ourselves to the quality formation of

integral human person in our noble tradition of excellence and the supreme ideal of DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN.
Specifically, we endeavor to form the Letran Community to become: Staunch defenders of the Church; Faithful devotees of Mary; Ardent lovers of Truth; Dynamic builders and leaders of communities; and Successful professionals in their chosen fields of endeavors.

VISION

By 2020, we envision a Christ-inspired, nationally-responsive and globally-competitive Colegio de San Juan de Letran at the threshold of being a University, evidenced by quality academic standard, strong research culture and sustained community service. Specifically, we see Letran as a leading center on the: Creative use and application of information and communications technology in education; Values-oriented communication and media education; Historical studies and research, particularly in Intramuros and Development of self-reliant communities.

What is your understanding of a moral life?

MORAL

THEOLOGY

Course Description:
Aims to develop Christian maturity and positive outlook in life of students through the study of various theoretical and practical norms and principles that deal with issues of morality.

It envisions inculcating upon the minds and hearts of the students the Gospel values that Christ wants them to have.

The discussions and activities about moral issues confronting todays Christians in the light of the Social Doctrine of the Church, will serve as opportunities to students in providing them guidelines on how to respond to those issues in a Christian way.

RATIONALE:
Moral Theology projects a continuous desire for growth, growing as a real person journeying towards union with God, which is the ultimate end of Christian life. To help the students recognize the needs to respond to Gods call, to be trully Gods children by cooperating fully towards sanctification and salvation of the whole humanity.

MORAL THEOLOGY
Gen. Objective: For the students to have a clear grasp of Christian moral principles and perspectives, matured in dealing with religious and moral difficulties in the light of faith.

MORAL

THEOLOGY

Etymological Meaning of : Theology= Gk. theo-god + logos

The term theology comes from the two Greek words theos and logos which means God and word respectively. Theology, therefore in general, is word about God or, at least an attempt to talk about God. In short, theology is the study of God. In contemporary theological jargon it is God talk.

Moral = L. mors + theo + logos

On the other hand, the term moral comes from the Latin word mors which means manner, custom, habit. Thus, moral theology is God talk about manners, customs, and habits. This etymological definition is quite accurate but not adequate. Why this definition of MT is accurate but not adequate?

Christian Theology In the proper sense, theology is a study about Christian God and everything else related to God. For Gula, it is a discipline in which

faith seeks to understand Gods revelation of divine love in Christ Jesus and through the Spirit

Literally, "faith seeking understanding." The phrase originated with Anselm in his Proslogion and was used to show the relationship of religious faith to human reason. For Anselm, matters of religion and theology are understood only by first believing them and then proceeding to gain an intellectual understanding of the things already believed. In other words, faith is both logically and chronologically prior to reason.1

Hence, strictly speaking, theology presupposes faith 1. and cannot be engaged upon without it. The necessity of faith directs theologys reflection upon the sources of faith, namely, Scriptures, Sacred Tradition and Church Magisterium

But since theology seeks to understand the mysteries and truths of faith, it also employs reason. Theology, especially in the Catholic tradition, thus proceeds thru faith and reason (RIF). (So, too, with moral theology; it proceeds by the light of faith and uses reason as a tool of faith).

Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart the desire to know the truth in a word, to know himself so that by knowing and loving God, men and women can come to the fullness of the truth about themselves (n1) Ratio et FidesIn essence, theology is at the service of faithits preservation and sustained proclamation and communication.

Division of Christian Catholic Theology

Systematic Theology Dogmatic Theology is also called doctrinal theology or simply systematics. Moral theology is a particular expression of systematic theology which focuses on the implications of faith for the way we live because we are disciples of Jesus Christ a. Fundamental Moral Theo. b. Special Moral Theo.

Positive Theology tries to find and state the true and full meaning of the normative sources of faith Biblical studies are the most important part of positive theology, and are in fact the starting point of theological reflection.

The different focus of both dogmatic and moral theology is further expressed in characterizing the former as descriptive and the latter as prescriptive. Dogmatic theology deals with the truths and doctrines of our faith while moral theology deals with how we ought to respond to Gods invitation for a fuller life

Moral Theology
Definition and Nature 2- Perspectives Sources Morality Models of Morality

A. DEFINITION AND NATURE OF Moral Theology:

Is a branch of theology that studies the interrelationship of faith and life. It is to be understood and appreciated in light of Christian discipleship, rooted in the Word of God and in the context of Church and human society.

MTs focus is the Response to revelation (the implications of faith in Jesus Christ for the way in which we live). MT attempts to find the meaning of the relationship between Christian Faith and moral action (Life). The norms of MT are not only those given by reason but also by faith which includes the data from the Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church

MT seeks to give a systematic, organized account of the requirements of Christian vocation to holiness (cf. Mt 5:48). MT has existed in continuous dialogue with the Church and the world.

B. TWO PERSPECTIVES

(Lat. Agere sequitur esse, Doing follows being; or, To do is to be and to be is to do.)
Ethics of Being . It focuses on good character/dispositions of the agent; What sort of (good) person should I become (Human Person)

1.

2.

Ethics of Doing. It focuses on right actions to perform; What sort of (good) actions should I perform? (Human Conduct)

The sort of person that you become depends to a great extent upon the sort of decisions and actions you have taken or performed The sort of decisions and actions you have taken or performed depends upon the sort of person you will become

INTERDEPENDENT RELATION OF:

Ethics of doing

Ethics of being

Sources
Sacred Scriptures the Bible which is the deposit of the word of God (written tradition). Sacred Tradition the unwritten tradition of the Church that has been handed down from the apostles to their successors Magisterium the teaching authority of the Church

Morality
It is a question of whether a certain act is right or wrong according to the standards or norms in a particular society. It is a question between what is good and what is evil. But How Do We Judge Whether A Certain Act Is GOOD Or EVIL?

What is really GOOD?

What is really EVIL?

Three Principal Moral Models/Methods

There are a number of ethical systems and methods employed in making moral decisions and forming judgments.

Three methods are principal by which other methods can be related to

Methods/Models of Morality
Teleological Ends/ Consequences

Virtue
Agent

Deontological Act

What is my goal? What ends do I seek?

What is fitting? How do I respond?

What does the law require?

What is my duty?

The Relational-Responsibility Model A HOLISTIC MODEL

1.Teleological Model/Method

From the Greek word telos, which means, end or goal, teleological method is goal-oriented. This method asks what decisions and actions will bring about the goal being sought The question what is my goal? answers what ought I to do? The goal, therefore, becomes the basis of moral decisions. Thomistic teleology posits that all human acts are directed to some goal, purpose or end. This built-in purpose is embedded in nature and therefore must be fulfilled

How does teleology relate to morality?

the disadvantages are serious. Here the end justifies the means and the consequences determine the full moral significance of an action.

the rightness or wrongness of an action is decisively determined by the good or evil consequences which an action produces.

In Thomistic teleology, there is clarity of moral basis. What is morally right is acting according to the intended purpose designed by nature.

2. Deontological Model/Method

From the Greek word deon, which means duty or obligation, deontological method is ruleoriented.

The method seeks to establish the law, duty, right, or obligation in moral decision

What is the law or my duty? answers what ought I to do?

Morality, therefore, is determined by ones faithfulness to laws and norms found in the Bible and Church teachings.

The deontological approach to morality supports the so-called moral absolutes.

These are prohibitions of actions on account of their object considered absolutely and intrinsically evil. Intrinsically evil that no intention or circumstances can ever justify them.
Catholic moral theology is fundamentally teleological in its basic orientation but deontological in making a moral decision.

As long as one follows church teachings and norms, moral life is on the right track. Another strength of deontology lies in preserving consistency and stability in moral life DISADVANTAGES: Deontological method has the tendency to reduce moral life to a juridically determined list of dos and donts. This juridical understanding of morality can lead, on the one hand, to self-righteousness where one feels justified by keeping the law and on the other hand, to moral minimalism failure to account the context and the complexity of circumstances inherent in every moral situation which can change the moral reality of an action or decision.

3. Relational-Responsibility Model/Method
This method comes with contemporary theologizing. Moral life is seen in relational terms, that is, of relationships held together by an ongoing interaction with God, others, self, and the world. The basis of this outlook is the understanding of human persons as by nature relational beings No man is an island!

This method looks at morality in terms of what is properly harmonious with the full relational context the full relational context. The right thing to do is what promotes a harmonious relationship in every respect of the whole relational context. What promotes life-giving relationship? answers the question What ought I to do?

Thus, every moral decision must respond to the responsibilities found in various relationships. Every form of relationship carries with it responsibilities to be fulfilled, if it is to be authentic.

For moral life to be responsive to the whole relational context, all relevant factors to moral situation must be considered including laws and norms and consequences. An important component to relational/responsible approach is the use of proportionate reason in determining the objective rightness or wrongness of actions. This is especially true when obligations and responsibilities conflict. Proportionate reason attends to the ambiguities and complexities of life.

Holistic Model
ACT and its EFFECTS Discernment
Leading to a moral decision

Person
Fundamental option Intention

Context
Norms and situation analysis

Seatwork #1
1. If God is good why is there evil in the world? If God is powerful, then, why He cannot annihilate evil? If evil is a reality God is neither good nor powerful. If evil is not a reality then why do we experience it in our life? (Maximum of ten sentences).

The GOOD

Good is anything that contributes to the full realization of the human person

The EVIL
Evil is privation of good St. Augustine

Evil is anything that frustrates or acts against the proper growth and development of the human person

Types of EVIL
1. Ontic Evil - (onta real) anything that frustrates human life and development Examples are death, pain, deprivation of freedom, deprivation of pleasure, deprivation of opportunity

2. Physical Evil evil brought about by the forces normally outside human control Examples are natural calamities, flood, sickness

3. Moral Evil

Evil brought about by human acts and are within the control of reason Other types of evil may become Moral evil if resulted from our own actions
Death (Murder, Genocide, Abortion etc.) Pain (Abuse, exploitation, manipulation, deprivation etc.) Flood/Volcanic eruption (Abusive cutting of trees, stubbornness, etc.)

Conclusion
In every decision we make, there must be discernment first In every act we do, there is always responsibility to whatever result there is for our act

Do we discern first before we make any decision? Are we responsible enough to any consequence of whatever we do?

Assignment #2
FORMAT: -1page for every two questions -1.5 space -Text is Arial -Font is 12 Submission will be on Tuesday July. Papers submitted 15 minutes after the start of the class will not be accepted.

1. Explain the different characteristics of the human person. 2. What is moral life for the Christian? 3. Is there any connection between human dignity and human freedom? Why? 4. Explain the connections of authentic freedom from the

Does being

Responsible
to any evil effect of an evil act committed make you a

Responsible Person?