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Chapter 1

Chapter 1 . Preliminary Notes . Questions to Ponder. What does it mean to be “Christ-like”? Did Jesus Christ establish a morality for His followers? If so, what does this morality “look like”? Is personal freedom compatible with Christian morality? . Chapter 1 . Introduction . Morality .

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Chapter 1

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  1. Chapter 1 Preliminary Notes

  2. Questions to Ponder • What does it mean to be “Christ-like”? • Did Jesus Christ establish a morality for His followers? • If so, what does this morality “look like”? • Is personal freedom compatible with Christian morality?

  3. Chapter 1 Introduction

  4. Morality • The standards by which we judge an action to be good or evil

  5. Moral Law • The objective standards authored by God and taught by Church authority • Church authority = the Magesterium

  6. Christian Morality • A morality that aims to help the individual grow in the knowledge and love of God in order to be as Christ-like as possible

  7. Introductory thoughts… • Christianity… • A life based on love • A life directed toward sainthood • Acknowledging and worshipping God… • Aids us in discovering the correct moral approach

  8. Christianity is not Merely a Morality Section 1

  9. Christianity… • Not a program that presents a moral outlook • Name given to life lived like JC • Lived in word and action • Answers: “What is the purpose of life” • Does it really answer this?

  10. Other Ethical Systems • Humanism • Humanity highest form of existence • Relativism • Central aspect of experience, thought, or reality is relative to something else • Divine Command Theory • Act moral/immoral solely because God commands that it is • Utilitarianism • “Greater Good” argument • Deontology • Judges morality of an action based upon the action’s adherence to a rule or rules

  11. Present Risks • Reducing Christianity to a “set of rules” • Why do we (the faithful) do this? • Jesus did NOT come as a moralist • He came as the Incarnate love of God • Jesus did NOT come to give us new rules • He came to promote a new way of LIVING • ACTIONS not just words!

  12. Christianity includes Morality Section 2

  13. Jesus’s Saving Message • Includes a moral system • Which protects our life with Jesus

  14. Moral Virtues • Given to us by the HS through Sanctifying Grace • Cardinal • Temperance, Fortitude, Justice, and Prudence • Theological • Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity)

  15. Christianity and Morality • Are NOT identical • What does this mean, exactly? • BUT, a Christian life cannot exist without morality

  16. Christianity is a Religious Morality Section 3

  17. Morality… • Is NOT a manmade ethical system • God revealed His ethical program • When? • He created Adam and Eve • He affirmed His ethical program with …? • The Ten Commandments • His ethical program finds perfection in…? • Through the teachings of Jesus Christ

  18. How Christian Morality Differs from Other Religious Beliefs • The concepts of good and evil are determined by God • The Ethical requirements of the Gospel require the aid of God’s grace • Sanctifying Grace • Actual Grace

  19. Christian Morality is a Morality of Following and Imitating Christ Section 4

  20. Living a Life in Cooperation with Christ Requires… • The Call or Vocation • The Response • Discipleship • The Imitation

  21. Identification with Christ: New Life in the Holy Spirit Section 5

  22. The Morality Taught by Jesus… • Can be found in…? • The NT • Corresponds to the new being aquired by us in …? • Baptism • Results of Baptism…?

  23. Characteristics of Christian Morality Section 6

  24. Christian Morality… • First Affects the Person and the Action • Totality of Man • “Action follows being” • What does this mean? • The Beatitudes • The interior life of a person

  25. Christian Morality… • Transforms First the Soul than the Moral Appearance • Influences on the deepest thoughts/desires of a human • The “heart” • Moral battles

  26. Christian Morality… • Encompasses the Attitudes of a Person • A person commits single acts • Form good habits • How?

  27. Christian Morality… • Accounts for What is Forbidden, but Stresses More What Ought to be Done • Positive morality • Is it really a positive morality? • The message of Jesus • Do good, avoid evil • Examples: • Mt 25: 1-46

  28. Christian Morality… • Requires not only Just Actions, but also Holiness • A saintly life • Lumen Gentium(Vatican II)

  29. Christian Morality… • Is Not a Rigid Morality Marked by a Multiplicity of Precepts • Saving message is not without laws • They exist to guide us to the good life • But, I think God just wants us to be happy…

  30. Christian Morality… • Preached by Jesus, is a Morality that Includes both Reward and Punishment • NT –no doubt that good is rewarded and evil actions are punished • Heaven and Hell are REAL ends

  31. Christian Morality… • Is Fulfilled on Earth, but it Pertains to the Next Life • Eternal life is connected to God’s Commandments

  32. Christian Morality… • Is a Morality for Freedom • Greatest gift from God • Free Will • You have the choice!

  33. Christian Morality… • Finds its Beginnings and End in Love • Begins with Love • Culminates under the command to Love • A Good Moral person… • Acts morally out of love • Not out of fear of punishment

  34. Christian Morality… • Finds its Nourishment on the Mass and the Sacraments • Eucharist • “Sacrament of the Sacraments” • “It is the greatest treasure of the Church” (John Paul II)

  35. Works Cited • Our Moral Life in Christ . United States : Midwestern Theological Seminary , 2006.

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