Ethics & Moral Theology

The Bible, often seen as the basis for ethics and moral theology.

Ethics is commonly understood as a set of behaviors common to a group or community. Moral Theology is a term used by Roman Catholicism and is the equivalent of what Protestants call "Christian Ethics," according to David Gill in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Moral Theology deals with the broad questions of what it means to live as a Christian and methods of moral discernment.

History

The roots of Moral Theology can be traced back to Bonaventure (1221-1274) and Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), who made great strides in producing a unified Catholic philosophy and theology. However, Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) emerged as the most "famous and influential" moral theologian, according to Gill. Liguori proposed answers to questions regarding "Jansenism," a theology of grace dating back to Cornelius Otto Jansen (1558-1638), and the precise meaning of the Law. Since

Vatican II, Roman Catholicism has reformed its traditional Moral Theology, characterized by the attribution of authority to reason, natural and Canon Law, and the Magisterium. According to Gill, there seems to be a move toward a more biblically-based Moral Theology.

Identification

According to John Macquarrie in Principles of Christian Theology, Moral Theology is a part of "Systematic Theology," a study of the "total theological enterprise" as unified by reason. There are 3 major divisions in Systematic Theology: Philosophical, Symbolic, and Applied. Moral Theology is part of Applied Theology, the expression of faith in "concrete existence." However, Moral Theology not only deals with theological questions, but questions belonging to other disciplines that make a study of human behavior in its many activities.

Features

According to Charles Curran in Moral Theology, classical Moral Theology recognizes the importance and significance of various issues and concerns; the end or goal of moral life, the character and virtues of individual Christians, and the values and ideals incarnated (becomes part of human existence) in this world, society, and individual lives.

Type of Discourse

Moral Theology is considered a "second order discourse." This is a logical designation which denotes that the discipline uses a a set of elements and quantifiers, used in "first order discourse or logic," and adds questions and interpretations as to the meanings of the issue. As Curran states, Moral Theology, "by definition," involves systematic, thematic, and critical "reflection" on Christian moral life. Therefore, the "reflection," which involves questions and interpretations, makes Moral Theology a "second order discourse."

Function

Moral Theology, as Curran points out, is an academic discipline. This has caused much debate over the practical worth of Moral Theology to the Christian faithful. According to Curran, Moral Theology is not the same as living a Christian moral life. This difference points to the function of Moral Theology. Moral Theology helps the Christian formation of the community of the faithful. Its "contribution" to society is seen in terms of theory, understanding, and critique.

References

• "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology"; "Moral Theology"; David Gill; 2001
• "Principles of Christian Theology"; John Macquarrie; 1977
• "Moral Theology"; Charles Curran; 1982