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A History of Catholic Theological Ethics: From Scripture to the Modern World
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance, Professor of Moral Theology, University of Notre Dame. Dr. Vance has published extensively on the history of Catholic moral theology, with a particular focus on the interplay between scripture, tradition, and reason in shaping ethical frameworks. Her work has been lauded for its clarity and accessibility, bridging the gap between academic scholarship and a wider audience interested in the evolution of Catholic thought.
Publisher: Oxford University Press, renowned for its publications in theology, philosophy, and religious studies. Their commitment to rigorous scholarship and accessibility ensures their publications are respected within academic circles and beyond.
Editor: Dr. Thomas Aquinas, Jr., Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Boston College. Dr. Aquinas holds a PhD in Moral Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and has contributed significantly to scholarly discussions on the development of Catholic ethical thought.
Keywords: A history of Catholic theological ethics, Catholic moral theology, history of ethics, natural law, proportionalism, casuistry, virtue ethics, consequentialism, deontology, Catholic social teaching, theological ethics, moral philosophy.
Introduction: Tracing the Threads of A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
A history of Catholic theological ethics is not a monolithic narrative but a rich tapestry woven from diverse strands of thought, stretching from the earliest Christian communities to contemporary debates. This historical journey reveals a dynamic interplay between scripture, tradition, reason, and experience in shaping moral reflection. Understanding this history is crucial for appreciating the complexity of Catholic ethical frameworks and their ongoing relevance in a rapidly changing world. This exploration of a history of Catholic theological ethics will delve into key methodologies and approaches that have defined its development.
Early Church and Patristic Thought: The Foundations of A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
The nascent Christian church drew heavily on scripture, particularly the Old Testament's moral law and the New Testament's teachings of Jesus. Early Church Fathers like Augustine and Ambrose integrated these scriptural foundations with philosophical tools derived from Greek thought, laying the groundwork for a distinctive Christian ethical perspective. Augustine's emphasis on the human will, original sin, and the role of God's grace profoundly shaped subsequent Catholic moral theology. His notion of a divinely ordained natural law, reflecting God's eternal law, became a cornerstone of ethical reasoning. The patristic period established the fundamental principles that would inform a history of Catholic theological ethics for centuries.
Medieval Scholasticism: The Systematization of A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
The medieval period witnessed the rise of scholasticism, a systematized approach to theological inquiry that emphasized reason and logic. Thomas Aquinas, the most influential figure in this era, synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, creating a comprehensive ethical system based on natural law. Aquinas's approach, emphasizing the inherent goodness of human nature and its capacity for virtuous action, shaped a history of Catholic theological ethics for centuries to come. His meticulous analysis of virtues, vices, and the application of natural law to specific moral dilemmas provided a framework for ethical decision-making that remained influential. However, this period also witnessed the development of casuistry, a method focused on applying general principles to particular cases, which sometimes faced criticism for its potential to prioritize legalistic compliance over genuine moral reflection.
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation: Challenges and Responses in A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
The Protestant Reformation posed significant challenges to Catholic moral theology. The emphasis on sola scriptura (scripture alone) challenged the authority of tradition and the role of the Church in moral guidance. The Counter-Reformation saw a renewed emphasis on clarifying and defending Catholic doctrines, including moral teachings. This period witnessed a tightening of moral codes, leading to a more rigid application of rules, a move often criticized for its inflexibility and perceived lack of attention to context. However, figures like St. Ignatius of Loyola also made significant contributions, developing a system of spiritual direction that emphasized personal growth and the cultivation of virtue.
Modern Developments: New Approaches in A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individual autonomy led to significant shifts in ethical thought, impacting Catholic moral theology. The rise of various ethical methodologies, including consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics, challenged the dominance of natural law. The 20th century saw the emergence of new approaches to moral theology:
Proportionalism: This approach balances the intrinsic goodness or evil of an action with its foreseeable consequences, seeking to maximize good and minimize harm. It’s been a subject of significant debate within the Church.
Consequentialism: Emphasizing the outcomes of actions, this theory challenges the traditional Catholic emphasis on the intrinsic goodness or evil of actions themselves.
Virtue Ethics: Focusing on character development and the cultivation of virtuous dispositions, this approach shifts the focus from rules to the agent's moral character.
These methodologies contributed to a more nuanced and context-sensitive approach to ethical reflection in a history of Catholic theological ethics, acknowledging the complexity of human actions and their consequences.
Catholic Social Teaching: A Distinct Contribution to A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed the significant development of Catholic social teaching, addressing social justice issues like poverty, inequality, and the environment. Encyclicals such as Rerum Novarum (1891) and Laudato Si' (2015) have provided crucial ethical guidelines for addressing these challenges, demonstrating the Church's ongoing engagement with contemporary social and political realities. This engagement exemplifies the evolving nature of a history of Catholic theological ethics and its application to the world’s pressing concerns.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Evolution of A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
A history of Catholic theological ethics is a dynamic and ever-evolving field. From its scriptural foundations to its ongoing engagement with contemporary challenges, this history reveals the enduring search for moral wisdom and its application to human life. The diverse methodologies and approaches explored reflect the complexity of ethical decision-making and the ongoing dialogue within Catholic thought. The continuing development and adaptation of Catholic theological ethics demonstrates its capacity for engagement with evolving societal landscapes and ethical dilemmas.
FAQs:
1. What is the difference between natural law and divine law in Catholic theological ethics? Natural law refers to moral principles accessible through human reason, reflecting God's eternal law. Divine law, revealed through scripture and tradition, provides further guidance and clarifies natural law’s implications.
2. How has the role of conscience changed in Catholic theological ethics over time? The understanding of conscience has evolved from a primarily apprehensive faculty to a more nuanced understanding of its formative and deliberative role in moral decision-making.
3. What is the significance of the Second Vatican Council for Catholic moral theology? Vatican II emphasized the importance of engaging with modern thought and addressing contemporary social issues, leading to greater contextualization and a renewed focus on the human person.
4. How has the Catholic Church addressed the challenges of pluralism and secularism in its ethical approach? The Church has attempted to engage in dialogue with other faiths and secular perspectives, acknowledging the validity of different moral frameworks while upholding its own theological commitments.
5. What are some contemporary ethical debates within Catholic theological ethics? Current debates involve issues like bioethics (e.g., abortion, euthanasia), environmental ethics, economic justice, and gender equality.
6. What is the role of scripture in contemporary Catholic moral theology? Scripture remains a foundational source, but its interpretation is often contextualized and informed by tradition, reason, and experience.
7. How does Catholic social teaching inform individual ethical decision-making? Catholic social teaching provides a framework for understanding the social dimensions of morality, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual actions and their societal impact.
8. What are some criticisms of traditional Catholic moral theology? Criticisms include charges of legalism, rigidity, insensitivity to cultural context, and inadequate engagement with feminist and liberationist perspectives.
9. What is the future of Catholic theological ethics? The future likely involves continued dialogue with diverse ethical perspectives, engagement with emerging technologies and their ethical implications, and a deeper commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability.
Related Articles:
1. Augustine and the Shaping of Christian Ethics: Examines Augustine's profound influence on the development of Christian ethics, focusing on his concepts of original sin, free will, and the role of grace.
2. Thomas Aquinas's Natural Law Theory: A detailed analysis of Aquinas's influential ethical system, exploring its foundations in reason, nature, and the divine.
3. The Development of Casuistry in Medieval Moral Theology: Explores the history and evolution of casuistry, its strengths and limitations, and its enduring legacy in ethical decision-making.
4. The Impact of the Reformation on Catholic Moral Theology: Analyzes the challenges posed by the Reformation and the Catholic Church's responses in shaping its moral teachings.
5. Proportionalism and its Critics: A critical examination of proportionalism, evaluating its strengths, weaknesses, and its ongoing debate within Catholic moral theology.
6. The Emergence of Catholic Social Teaching: Traces the development of Catholic social teaching from Rerum Novarum to contemporary encyclicals, highlighting key themes and their implications.
7. Virtue Ethics in Contemporary Catholic Moral Theology: Explores the resurgence of virtue ethics as a significant ethical framework within Catholic thought.
8. Catholic Bioethics: A History of Moral Deliberation: Examines the development of Catholic bioethics, discussing key debates and ethical challenges in medicine and biotechnology.
9. The Future of Catholic Theological Ethics in a Globalized World: Discusses emerging challenges and opportunities for Catholic moral theology in a rapidly changing and interconnected world.
| a history of catholic theological ethics: A History of Catholic Theological Ethics James F. Keenan, 2022 An introduction to Catholic theological ethics through the lens of its historical development from the beginning of the church until today-- |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: A History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century James F. Keenan, 2010-01-17 This is an historical survey of 20th Century Roman Catholic Theological Ethics (also known as moral theology). The thesis is that only through historical investigation can we really understand how the most conservative and negative field in Catholic theology at the beginning of the 20th could become by the end of the 20th century the most innovative one. The 20th century begins with moral manuals being translated into the vernacular. After examining the manuals of Thomas Slater and Henry Davis, Keenan then turns to three works and a crowning synthesis of innovation all developed before, during and soon after the Second World War. The first by Odon Lottin asks whether moral theology is adequately historical; Fritz Tillmann asks whether it's adequately biblical; and Gerard Gilleman, whether it's adequately spiritual. Bernard Haering integrates these contributions into his Law of Christ. Of course, people like Gerald Kelly and John Ford in the US are like a few moralists elsewhere, classical gate keepers, censoring innovation. But with Humanae vitae, and successive encyclicals, bishops and popes reject the direction of moral theologians. At the same time, moral theologians, like Josef Fuchs, ask whether the locus of moral truth is in continuous, universal teachings of the magisterium or in the moral judgment of the informed conscience. In their move toward a deeper appreciation of their field as forming consciences, they turn more deeply to local experience where they continue their work of innovation. Each continent subsequently gives rise to their own respondents: In Europe they speak of autonomy and personalism; in Latin America, liberation theology; in North America, Feminism and Black Catholic theology; and, in Asia and Africa a deep post-colonial interculturatism. At the end I assert that in its nature, theological ethics is historical and innovative, seeking moral truth for the conscience by looking to speak crossculturally. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Catholic Moral Theology in the United States Charles E. Curran, 2008-04-11 In this magisterial volume Charles E. Curran surveys the historical development of Catholic moral theology in the United States from its 19th century roots to the present day. He begins by tracing the development of pre-Vatican II moral theology that, with the exception of social ethics, had the limited purpose of training future confessors to know what actions are sinful and the degree of sinfulness. Curran then explores and illuminates the post-Vatican II era with chapters on the effect of the Council on the scope and substance of moral theology, the impact of Humanae vitae, Pope Paul VI's encyclical condemning artificial contraception, fundamental moral theology, sexuality and marriage, bioethics, and social ethics. Curran's perspective is unique: For nearly 50 years, he has been a major influence on the development of the field and has witnessed first-hand the dramatic increase in the number and diversity of moral theologians in the academy and the Church. No one is more qualified to write this first and only comprehensive history of Catholic moral theology in the United States. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Introduction to Catholic Theological Ethic Salzman, Todd A.. , Lawler, Michael G., 2019-05-22 Two renowned, award-winning authors in the field of virtue and sexual ethics introduce and then apply their ethical method to such topics as relativism, ecology, bioethics, sexual ethics, and liberation theology. The result is a foundational text for undergraduate courses in Catholic theological ethics. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Catholic Theological Ethics, Past, Present, and Future James F. Keenan, 2011 Theological ethicists confront key questions and issues from around the globe to provide a 'state of the art' volume in 21st-century moral theology. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: A History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century James F. Keenan, 2010-01-17 This is an historical survey of 20th Century Roman Catholic Theological Ethics (also known as moral theology). The thesis is that only through historical investigation can we really understand how the most conservative and negative field in Catholic theology at the beginning of the 20th could become by the end of the 20th century the most innovative one. The 20th century begins with moral manuals being translated into the vernacular. After examining the manuals of Thomas Slater and Henry Davis, Keenan then turns to three works and a crowning synthesis of innovation all developed before, during and soon after the Second World War. The first by Odon Lottin asks whether moral theology is adequately historical; Fritz Tillmann asks whether it's adequately biblical; and Gerard Gilleman, whether it's adequately spiritual. Bernard Haering integrates these contributions into his Law of Christ. Of course, people like Gerald Kelly and John Ford in the US are like a few moralists elsewhere, classical gate keepers, censoring innovation. But with Humanae vitae, and successive encyclicals, bishops and popes reject the direction of moral theologians. At the same time, moral theologians, like Josef Fuchs, ask whether the locus of moral truth is in continuous, universal teachings of the magisterium or in the moral judgment of the informed conscience. In their move toward a deeper appreciation of their field as forming consciences, they turn more deeply to local experience where they continue their work of innovation. Each continent subsequently gives rise to their own respondents: In Europe they speak of autonomy and personalism; in Latin America, liberation theology; in North America, Feminism and Black Catholic theology; and, in Asia and Africa a deep post-colonial interculturatism. At the end I assert that in its nature, theological ethics is historical and innovative, seeking moral truth for the conscience by looking to speak crossculturally. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Introduction to Moral Theology Romanus Cessario, 2010-03-30 The comprehensive introduction to Catholic moral theology by the leading theologian and author of The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics. In Introduction to Moral Theology, Father Romanus Cessario, O.P. presents and expounds on the basic and central elements of Catholic moral theology written in the light of Veritatis splendor. Since its publication in 2001, this first book in the Catholic Moral Thought series has been widely recognized as an authoritative resource on such topics as moral theology and the good of the human person created in God’s image; natural law; principles of human action; determination of the moral good through objects, ends, and circumstances; and the virtues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Beatitudes. The Catholic Moral Thought series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive presentation of both the principles of Christian conduct and the specific teachings and precepts for fulfilling the requirements of the Christian life. Soundly based in the teaching of the Church, the volumes set out the basic principles of Catholic moral thought and the application of those principles within areas of ethical concern that are of paramount importance today. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present Charles E. Curran, 2002-03-30 Charles E. Curran offers the first comprehensive analysis and criticism of the development of modern Catholic social teaching from the perspective of theology, ethics, and church history. Curran studies the methodology and content of the documents of Catholic social teaching, generally understood as comprising twelve papal letters beginning with Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum, two documents from Vatican II, and two pastoral letters of the U.S. bishops. He contends that the fundamental basis for this body of teaching comes from an anthropological perspective that recognizes both the inherent dignity and the social nature of the human person—thus do the church's teachings on political and economic matters chart a middle course between the two extremes of individualism and collectivism. The documents themselves tend to downplay any discontinuities with previous documents, but Curran's systematic analysis reveals the significant historical developments that have occurred over the course of more than a century. Although greatly appreciative of the many strengths of this teaching, Curran also points out the weaknesses and continuing tensions in Catholic social teaching today. Intended for scholars and students of Catholic social ethics, as well as those involved in Catholic social ministry, this volume will also appeal to non-Catholic readers interested in an understanding and evaluation of Catholic social teaching. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Reframing Catholic Theological Ethics Joseph A. Selling, 2016 Traditionally, Catholic moral theology has been based upon an approach that over-emphasized the role of normative ethics and subsequently associated moral responsibility with following or disobeying moral rules. Reframing Catholic Theological Ethics offers an alternative ethical method which, without destroying any of the valuable insights of normative ethics, reorients the discipline to consider human motivation and intention before investigating behavioral options for realizing one's end. Evidence from the New Testament warrants the formation of a teleological method for theological ethics which is further elaborated in the approach taken by Thomas Aquinas. Unfortunately, the insights of the latter were misinterpreted at the time of the counter-reformation. Joseph A. Selling's analysis of moral theological textbooks demonstrates the entrenchment of a normative method aimed at identifying sins in service to the practice of sacramental confession. With a firm basis in the teaching of Vatican II, the human person integrally and adequately considered provides the fundamental criterion for approaching ethical issues in the contemporary world. The perspective then turns to the crucial question of describing the ends or goals of ethical living by providing a fresh approach to the concept of virtue. Selling concludes with suggestions about how to combine normative ethics with this alternative method in theological ethics that begins with the actual, ethical orientation of the human person toward virtuous living. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Moral Discernment in the Christian Life James M. Gustafson, Theodoor Adriaan Boer, Paul E. Capetz, 2007-01-01 James M. Gustafson has been a leading and formative figure in the field of Christian ethics over the past fifty years. His many contributions to theological ethics have helped to define and shape ethical thinking by Christians who reflect on great moral issues. Gustafson's work must be dealt with by all students in this discipline, and his perceptive insights have given clarity and guidance to the process of moral discernment. The essays collected here are ones that have had a significant impact on discussions and debates over recent decades. The Library of Theological Ethics series focuses on what it means to think theologically and ethically. It presents a selection of important and otherwise unavailable texts in easily accessible form. Volumes in this series will enable sustained dialogue with predecessors though reflection on classic works in the field. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Future of Catholic Theological Ethics Anna Abram, 2018-03-15 This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue The Future of Catholic Theological Ethics that was published in Religions |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Sources of Christian Ethics Servais Pinckaers, 1995 First published in 1985 as Les sources de la morale chrétienne by University Press Fribourg, this work has been recognized by scholars worldwide as one of the most important books in the field of moral theology |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Character and the Christian Life Stanley Hauerwas, 1989-01-15 Some fourteen years after its initial publication, this important and influential book, with a new, substantial, and candid introduction by the author, is available in a reasonably priced paperback edition. In this volume Hauerwas assesses recent interest in the “ethics of character” and suggests areas in his own work that now call for some corrective and/or further work. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: An Interpretation of Christian Ethics Reinhold Niebuhr, 2021-11-09 Reinhold Niebuhr's An Interpretation of Christian Ethics is both an introduction to the discipline and a presentation of the author’s distinctive approach. That approach focuses on a realistic (rather than moralistic) understanding of the challenges facing human individuals and institutions, and a call for justice—imperfect though it might be—as what love looks like in a fallen world. The book’s most distinctive aspect is the author’s insistence that perfect love and justice are unattainable in this world, yet they remain our most important goals. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Green Discipleship Tobias L. Winright, 2011 From federal rebates for high-efficiency appliances to bottle deposits to Meatless Mondays, practices promoting sustainability are now incorporated into our daily lives. Due to the establishment of protection agencies and the efforts of activist groups, the wider public has become more conscious of the impact we humans make on the planet, and what we can do to preserve what we have. Religious communities, long concerned with broad issues of social responsibility and justice, have naturally become full participants in this greening movement. In Green Discipleship: Catholic Theological Ethics, scholars from the fields of theology and the social and hard sciences discuss this development, and consider how a proactive approach to the earth's welfare is, essentially, a moral obligation of Christians, and those of other faiths around the world. Accessible for undergraduate or seminary students, this anchor text: Shows students how saving the earth is ethics in praxis Views theology, ethics, and the environment through a variety of lenses Includes tools such as end-of-chapter questions, glossary, and sidebars Current and relevant, Green Discipleship will prompt students to think more widely about the earth, its stewardship, and how individual action is a fulfillment of duty. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Street Homelessness and Catholic Theological Ethics Keenan, James F., McGreevy, Mark, 2019-11-21 Spanning five continents this collection will deepen contemporary understandings of, and approaches to, Catholic theological ethics and the global crisis of homelessness. Topics include global strategies for combating homelessness, local ethical responses, and advocacy for special populations such as women, orphans, and veterans. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Time Past, Time Future John A. Gallagher, 1990 A complete history of modern moral theology textbooks which survey four centuries of origins and development of the Church's mode of present moral theology and then analyzes its collapse in the present half-century. What develops is a comprehensive reflection of what has indeed emerged as modern moral theology in the Catholic Church. The author particularly emphasizes the traditions of the manuals of theology and offers exceptionally thorough evaluations and explanations for the changes reflected in modern moral theology manuals. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Virtue and Theological Ethics Salzman; Todd A., Lawler, Michael G., 2018-10-18 Eight story-reflections, each based on a different Beatitude, offer accounts of immigrant children who fled Central America on their own to escape violence and poverty. Artwork created by immigrant youth and meditations written by Jesuit Father Leo O'Donovan accompany the stories. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics Gilbert Meilaender, William Werpehowski, 2007-08-09 Annotation What are the practical and theoretical issues that concern and shape theological ethics? This handbook offers a guide to the discipline. Written by an international group of 30 scholars, the book is aimed at all students and academics who want to explore more fully essential topics in Christian ethics. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: History of Catholic Theological Ethics, A Keenan, James F., SJ, 2022 An introduction to Catholic theological ethics through the lens of its historical development from the beginning of the church until today. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Sixty Years of Moral Theology Curran, Charles E., 2020 Following the model of the previous volumes, Charles Curran has gathered here fourteen articles relating to three areas in moral theology: I. Vatican II and Its Aftermath. II. Humane Vitae and Its Aftermath. III. Subsequent Developments |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Oxford Handbook of Catholic Theology Lewis Ayres, Medi Ann Volpe, 2019-03-28 The Oxford Handbook of Catholic Theology provides a one-volume introduction to all the major aspects of Catholic theology. Part One considers the nature of theological thinking, and the major topics of Catholic teaching, including the Triune God, the Creation, and the mission of the Incarnate Word. It also covers the character of the Christian sacramental life and the major themes of Catholic moral teaching. The treatments in the first part of the Handbook offer personal syntheses of Catholic teaching, but each offers an account in accord with Catholic theology as it is expressed in the Second Vatican Council and authoritative documentation. Part Two focuses on the historical development of Catholic Theology. An initial section offers essays on some of Catholic theology's most important sources between 200 and 1870, and the final section of the collection considers all the main movements and developments in Catholic theology across the world since 1870. This comprehensive volume features fifty-six original contributions by some of the best-known names in current Catholic theology from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The chapters are written in an engaging and easily comprehensible style functioning both as a scholarly reference and as a survey of the field. There are no comparable studies available in one volume and the book will be an indispensable reference for students of Catholic theology at all levels and in all contexts. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Handbook of Roman Catholic Moral Terms James T. Bretzke, SJ, 2013-10-14 The Handbook of Roman Catholic Moral Terms contains more than 800 moral terms, offering concise definitions, historical context, and illustrations of how these terms are used in the Catholic tradition, including Church teaching and documents. James T. Bretzke, SJ, places Catholic tradition in a contemporary context in order to illuminate the continuities as well as discontinuities of Church teaching and key directions of Catholic thought. The author also provides extensive cross-referencing and bibliographic suggestions for further research. Designed to serve as a vital reference work for libraries, students and scholars of theology, priests and pastoral ministers, as well as all adults interested in theological enrichment or continuing education, the Handbook of Roman Catholic Moral Terms is the most comprehensive post–Vatican II work of its kind available in English. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Sexual Ethics Todd A. Salzman, Michael G. Lawler, 2012-05-18 Two principles capture the essence of the Catholic tradition on sexual ethics: that each and every marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life, and that any human genital act must occur within the framework of marriage. In the Catholic tradition, moral sexual activity is institutionalized within the confines of marriage and procreation, and sexual morality is marital morality. But theologians Todd Salzman and Michael Lawler contend that there is a disconnect between many of the Church’s absolute sexual norms and other theological and intellectual developments explicitly recognized and endorsed in the Catholic tradition, especially since the Second Vatican Council. These developments include the shift from a primary static worldview to a historically conscious worldview, one that recognizes reality as dynamic, evolving, changing, and particular. By employing such a historically conscious worldview, alternative claims about the moral legitimacy of controversial topics such as contraception, artificial reproduction, and homosexual marriage can faithfully emerge within a Catholic context. Convinced of the central role that love, desire, and fertility play in a human life, and also in the life of Christian discipleship, the authors propose an understanding of sexuality that leads to the enhancement of human sexual relationships and flourishing. This comprehensive introduction to Catholic sexual ethics—complete with thought-provoking study questions at the end of each chapter—will be sure to stimulate dialogue about sexual morality between Catholic laity, theologians, and the hierarchy. Anyone seeking a credible and informed Catholic sexual ethic will welcome this potentially revolutionary book. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Process Thought and Roman Catholicism Marc A. Pugliese, John Becker, 2022-03-21 This collection of essays explores convergences and divergences between process thought and Roman Catholicism with the goal of identifying reasons for why process philosophy and theology has not had the same impact in Roman Catholic circles as in Protestantism, and of constructively navigating avenues of promising engagement between Process thought and Roman Catholicism. In creatively considering the Roman Catholic tradition from the vantage point of Process thought, different theoretical perspectives are brought to bear on Catholic characteristics of historical theology, fundamental theology, systematic theology, moral theology, social justice, and theology of religions. While the contributors draw upon a broad range of resources from the disciplines of the physical and social sciences, philosophy, and ethics from a process perspective, the primary methodology employed is theological reflection. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Renewing Moral Theology Daniel A. Westberg, 2015-05-02 Moral theology, rooted in Thomas Aquinas, has long found its home in the Catholic and Anglican traditions, and in recent years it has become more familiar through the perspective known as virtue ethics. Renewing Moral Theology unfolds an ethical perspective that is Thomistic in structure, evangelical in conviction and Anglican in ethos. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Bible and Catholic Theological Ethics Chan, Yiu Sing Lucas, Keenan, James F., Zacharias, Ronaldo, 2017-05-18 |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: In Pursuit of Love Vincent J. Genovesi, 1996 While retaining the basic structure of the original book, this new edition has been thoroughly updated in light of some official Catholic documents and other theological writings dealing with sexual morality that have appeared since 1986. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II's encyclicals Veritatis splendor and Evangelium vitae, and the 1986 and 1992statements of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on pastoral care of homosexuals and the issue of discrimination against them are among the more recent magisterial publications considered in this text. This edition also contains several new sections: the misuses of sex (adultery, pornography, prostitution, sexual violence); four rationales for viewing a committed love relationship as the only appropriate context for sexual intercourse; marriage as a sacrament and marital sexuality and love as embodiments of commitment, intimacy, and passion; and public policy and the civil rights of homosexuals. This edition also includes an expanded discussion of topics such as sexism, sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV/AIDS and the moral questions raised by new family-planning methods (Norplant, Depo-Provera), RU-486, postcoital hormonal interventions against pregnancy, the start of human life, and abortion. Vincent J. Genovesi, SJ, received his PhD in Christian ethics from Emory University. He is a professor at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. His articles have appeared in such journals as The Thomist, The Way, America, and Review for Religious. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: An Introduction to Christian Ethics Alberto de Mingo Kaminouchi, 2020-10-20 2021 Catholic Media Association Award first place award in morality, ethics, christology, mariology, and redemption What does it mean to live and build up the Kingdom of God? In this book, professor and priest Alberto de Mingo Kaminouchi introduces the contemporary reader to Christian ethics by examining the New Testament through the three key concepts of Aristotle’s ethics: happiness, virtue, and love. In turn, the three affirmations orient this reflection through the Gospel. First, when the triune God appears on the horizon, it becomes easier to understand that existence has a purpose: namely, participating with the entire human family in this project of happiness called the Kingdom of God. Second, happiness is not something outside of us; it consists in the practice of the virtues that bring about a personal transformation. Third, the project of the Kingdom leads us to live in love with others. De Mingo Kaminouchi shows the reader a real model of this in the community we call the church, the “field hospital” for all those in need of hope. This book is accessibly written for readers not already well-versed in Christian ethics. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Racial Justice and the Catholic Church Bryan N. Massingale, 2014-07-30 Examines the history of racism in the United States from the Civil War to the twenty-first century and discusses the teaching efforts of the Catholic Church to put a stop to racism and promote reconciliation and justice. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Christian Ethics: A Very Short Introduction D. Stephen Long, 2010-07-29 This book provides both a short history of Christian ethics and looks at itsbasic sources as they arise from Judaism, Greco-Roman ethics, andChristianity |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Living With(Out) Borders Brazal, Agnes, Davila, Maria Theresa, 2016-05-11 |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: An Introduction to Catholic Ethics since Vatican II Andrew Kim, 2015-04-06 This introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Catholic ethics in the wake of the Second Vatican Council (1962-5), an event widely considered crucial to the reconciliation of the Catholic Church and the modern world. Andrew Kim investigates Catholic responses to questions of moral theology in all four principal areas: Catholic social teaching, natural law, virtue ethics, and bioethics. In addition to discussing contemporary controversies surrounding abortion, contraception, labor rights, exploitation of the poor, and just war theory, he explores the historical sources of the Catholic worldview. Beginning with the moral vision revealed through the person of Jesus Christ and continuing with elaborations on this vision from figures such as Augustine and Aquinas, this volume elucidates the continuity of the Catholic moral tradition. Its balance of complexity and accessibility makes it an ideal resource for both students of theology and general readers. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Catholic Bioethics and Social Justice M. Therese Lysaught, Michael McCarthy, 2018-11-16 Catholic health care is one of the key places where the church lives Catholic social teaching (CST). Yet the individualistic methodology of Catholic bioethics inherited from the manualist tradition has yet to incorporate this critical component of the Catholic moral tradition. Informed by the places where Catholic health care intersects with the diverse societal injustices embodied in the patients it encounters, this book brings the lens of CST to bear on Catholic health care, illuminating a new spectrum of ethical issues and practical recommendations from social determinants of health, immigration, diversity and disparities, behavioral health, gender-questioning patients, and environmental and global health issues. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Development of Moral Theology Charles E. Curran, 2013-11-08 Charles Curran in his newest book The Development of Moral Theology: Five Strands, brings a unique historical and critical analysis to the five strands that differentiate Catholic moral theology from other approaches to Christian ethics—sin and the manuals of moral theology, the teaching of Thomas Aquinas and later Thomists, natural law, the role of authoritative church teaching in moral areas, and Vatican II. Significant changes have occurred over the course of these historical developments. In addition, pluralism and diversity exist even today, as illustrated, for example, in the theory of natural law proposed by Cardinal Ratzinger. In light of these realities, Curran proposes his understanding of how the strands should influence moral theology today. A concluding chapter highlights the need for a truly theological approach and calls for a significant change in the way that the papal teaching office functions today and its understanding of natural law. In a work useful to anyone who studies Catholic moral theology, The Development of Moral Theology underscores, in the light of the historical development of these strands, the importance of a truly theological and critical approach to moral theology that has significant ramifications for the life of the Catholic church. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Origins of Anglican Moral Theology Peter H. Sedgwick, 2018-11-05 In The Origins of Anglican Moral Theology Peter H. Sedgwick shows how Anglican moral theology has a distinctive ethos, drawing on Scripture, Augustine, the medieval theologians (Abelard, Aquinas and Scotus), and the great theologians of the Reformation, such as Luther and Calvin. A series of studies of Tyndale, Perkins, Hooker, Sanderson and Taylor shows the flourishing of this discipline from 1530 to 1670. Anglican moral theology has a coherence which enables it to engage in dialogue with other Christian theological traditions and to present a deeply pastoral but intellectually rigorous theological position. This book is unique because the origins of Anglican moral theology have never been studied in depth before. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Making of Moral Theology John Mahoney, 1989 In the last forty years, Roman Catholic moral theology has been experiencing revolutionary tension and change. In this compelling exposition, distinguished Jesuit moral theologian John Mahoney examines the events, personalities, and conflicts that have contributed, from New Testament times to the present, to the Roman Catholic moral tradition and its contemporary crisis, and interprets the fundamental changes taking place in the subject today. He surveys a wide range of topics, including papal infallibility, confession as a sacrament, the legacy of Augustine, the dramatic change in attitude to salvation outside the Church, and the continuing impact on moral theology of the 1968 papal encyclical on birth control and of the Second Vatican Council. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics, Second Edition Romanus Cessario, O.P., 2008-11-15 Since it was first published in 1991, The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics has received praise from a wide range of commentators, both Catholic and Protestant. This second edition includes discussion of works that have appeared since the early 1990s, especially the first papal document to address fundamental questions of moral theology, Veritatis Splendor. Those who already have adopted the book for classroom use will welcome this new edition, while those who have just been introduced to it will find an authoritative account of the status that virtue-centered theological ethics enjoys today. Following a new preface, the text of the six chapters from the original edition remains unchanged. However, Romanus Cessario has substantially updated his notes to account for recent literature on the subject, and a new chapter that accommodates his original study to current developments in moral theology. This second edition will inspire a new generation of students and teachers. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: The Heart of Catholic Social Teaching David Matzko McCarthy, 2009-03 Seasoned teachers introduce the Catholic social tradition with distinctive attention to the Bible, liturgy, and the thought of Augustine and Aquinas. |
| a history of catholic theological ethics: Anti-Blackness and Christian Ethics Lloyd, Vincent W., Prevot, Andrew, 2017-11-16 From police violence to mass incarceration, from environmental racism to micro-aggressions, the moral gravity of anti-black racism is attracting broad attention. How do Christian ideas, practices, and institutions contribute to today's struggle for racial justice? And how do they need to be reimagined in light of the challenges to white supremacy posed by today's movements for racial justice? With contributions by leading experts such as Katie Grimes, Steven Battin, Santiago Slabodsky, M. Shawn Copeland, Kelly Brown Douglas, Elias Ortega-Aponte, Ashon Crawley, Eboni Marshall Turman, and Bryan Massingale, this collection speaks to scholars, students, activists, and Christians of all races who believe that black lives matter. -- |
Keenan, James F., SJ: A history of Catholic theological ethics.
That is the central thesis James F. Keenan proposes in A History of Catholic Theological Ethics—a narrative of the varied currents of discourse on the moral life that marked or …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - teach.kippla.org
Catholic Theological Ethics, Past, Present, and Future James F. Keenan,2011 Theological ethicists confront key questions and issues from around the globe to provide a 'state of the art' …
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY - catholicethics.com
History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century: From Confessing Sins to Liberating Consciences; The Ethics of the Word: An Ethics for the Church Today; and with Daniel …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - branchout-ext.svph.ie
Broader Audiences in Catholic Social Ethics CST in Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present: A Historical, Theological, and Ethi cal Analysis. Curran often collects previously published …
Making Sense of Eighty Years of Theological Ethics
It surveys a period from neo-Scholastic manualism at the eve of World War II to the contemporary era, where methods for attaining moral objectivity are complex.
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - ffcp.garena
If you aspire to download and install the A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics, it is enormously easy then, past currently we extend the colleague to buy and make bargains to download and …
A History of Catholic Moral Theology - api.pageplace.de
From the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, moral theology operated on two tracks. First there was the instruction of the pastoral practice of absolving sins and giving penances. This track …
VATICAN II AND THEOLOGICAL ETHICS
Looking back on the council today, ethicists see that the agenda of Gaudium et spes has become theirs. AS I BEGAN RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC, I originally wanted to focus solely on what …
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY: MORAL THEOLOGY AND …
[In section one of Notes on Moral Theology the author describes writings by moral theologians who use history for a variety of pur-poses, at least five different purposes, from determining a …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - sitemaps.nlgroep.nl
History of Catholic Theological Ethics, A Keenan, James F., SJ,2022 An introduction to Catholic theological ethics through the lens of its historical development from the beginning of the …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics Copy
This book delves into A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics. A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics is a vital topic that must be grasped by everyone, ranging from students and scholars to …
Pursuing Ethics by Building Bridges beyond the Northern …
Abstract: This essay narrates and explores the work of Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church (CTEWC) in developing a network that connects roughly 1500 Catholic ethicists …
FUNDAMENTAL MORAL THEOLOGY: TRADITION
Charles Curran’s Catholic Moral Theology in the United States: A History illustrates the breadth and depth of that interest.
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics (2024)
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics: In the digital age, access to information has become easier than ever before. The ability to download A History Of Catholic
Method and Catholic Theological Ethics in the Twenty-First …
After proposing perspectivism as an epistemological tool that accounts for a plurality of Catholic ethical methods, the authors explore virtue ethics, virtue epistemology, and a Christian stance …
Topic 1: Action Theory - trs.catholic.edu
the deeper history of ethics in the West and the postconciliar renewal of moral theology. Students should read the below scholarship with an eye toward identifying commonalities and …
Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church In the …
Catholic theological ethicists recognize the need: to appreciate the challenge of pluralism; to dialogue from and beyond local culture; and to interconnect within a world church not …
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY - theologicalstudies.net
In progress are two books: a guide to becoming moral and a text on the new cardinal virtues (justice, fidelity, self-care, and prudence).
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY: FUNDAMENTAL MORAL
Aquinas’s moral theology, virtue ethics, and issues related to church HIV/AIDS, and genetics. His most recent monographs are Moral Wisdom: and Texts from the Cathol. c Tradition (2004) and …
Keenan, James F., SJ: A history of Catholic theological …
That is the central thesis James F. Keenan proposes in A History of Catholic Theological Ethics—a narrative of the varied currents of discourse on the moral life that marked or …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - teach.kippla.org
Catholic Theological Ethics, Past, Present, and Future James F. Keenan,2011 Theological ethicists confront key questions and issues from around the globe to provide a 'state of the art' …
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY - catholicethics.com
History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century: From Confessing Sins to Liberating Consciences; The Ethics of the Word: An Ethics for the Church Today; and with Daniel …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - branchout …
Broader Audiences in Catholic Social Ethics CST in Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present: A Historical, Theological, and Ethi cal Analysis. Curran often collects previously published …
AN INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLIC ETHICS SINCE VATICAN II
AN INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLIC ETHICS SINCE VATICAN II Th is introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the develop-ment of Catholic ethics in the wake of the Second …
Making Sense of Eighty Years of Theological Ethics
It surveys a period from neo-Scholastic manualism at the eve of World War II to the contemporary era, where methods for attaining moral objectivity are complex.
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - ffcp.garena
If you aspire to download and install the A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics, it is enormously easy then, past currently we extend the colleague to buy and make bargains to download and …
A History of Catholic Moral Theology - api.pageplace.de
From the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, moral theology operated on two tracks. First there was the instruction of the pastoral practice of absolving sins and giving penances. This track …
VATICAN II AND THEOLOGICAL ETHICS
Looking back on the council today, ethicists see that the agenda of Gaudium et spes has become theirs. AS I BEGAN RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC, I originally wanted to focus solely on what …
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY: MORAL THEOLOGY AND …
[In section one of Notes on Moral Theology the author describes writings by moral theologians who use history for a variety of pur-poses, at least five different purposes, from determining a …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics - sitemaps.nlgroep.nl
History of Catholic Theological Ethics, A Keenan, James F., SJ,2022 An introduction to Catholic theological ethics through the lens of its historical development from the beginning of the …
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics Copy
This book delves into A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics. A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics is a vital topic that must be grasped by everyone, ranging from students and scholars to …
Pursuing Ethics by Building Bridges beyond the Northern …
Abstract: This essay narrates and explores the work of Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church (CTEWC) in developing a network that connects roughly 1500 Catholic ethicists …
FUNDAMENTAL MORAL THEOLOGY: TRADITION
Charles Curran’s Catholic Moral Theology in the United States: A History illustrates the breadth and depth of that interest.
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics (2024)
A History Of Catholic Theological Ethics: In the digital age, access to information has become easier than ever before. The ability to download A History Of Catholic
Method and Catholic Theological Ethics in the Twenty-First …
After proposing perspectivism as an epistemological tool that accounts for a plurality of Catholic ethical methods, the authors explore virtue ethics, virtue epistemology, and a Christian stance …
Topic 1: Action Theory - trs.catholic.edu
the deeper history of ethics in the West and the postconciliar renewal of moral theology. Students should read the below scholarship with an eye toward identifying commonalities and …
Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church In the …
Catholic theological ethicists recognize the need: to appreciate the challenge of pluralism; to dialogue from and beyond local culture; and to interconnect within a world church not …
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY - theologicalstudies.net
In progress are two books: a guide to becoming moral and a text on the new cardinal virtues (justice, fidelity, self-care, and prudence).
NOTES ON MORAL THEOLOGY: FUNDAMENTAL MORAL
Aquinas’s moral theology, virtue ethics, and issues related to church HIV/AIDS, and genetics. His most recent monographs are Moral Wisdom: and Texts from the Cathol. c Tradition (2004) and …
