Morality Chp 3 "God's Law for a Good Life"

Morality Chp 3 "God's Law for a Good Life"

God's Law for a Good Life

• God has implanted in every person his divine and eternal natural moral law. In other words, this is a light of understanding placed in us by God. This law enables us to know what we must do and what we must avoid, aka right from wrong, good from evil. 

• Living a "moral life" involves: the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Reflection & Introspection; Informed Consciences; Moral Virtues; Sacred Scripture; Sacred Tradition

Divine & Eternal Law of God

• Source of all laws / Part of God's divine plan

• Expresses the dignity of the human person

• Foundation of moral rules and civil laws

Open Ended

Thinking Time: what civil laws in the United States support God's divine plans for humanity? If you do not think there are any, explain why.

Eternal Law (cont.)

All creation is a reflection of the goodness of God, who rules the universe with love and wisdom. Made in God’s image and likeness, the human person is called to flourish in God’s love, to work in partnership with God’s eternal law and to help bring God’s dream for all creation to completion. It is because of our capacity to reason and reflect that we can come to know the eternal law of God.

Multiple Select

Learning Check: God has implanted in every person his divine and eternal natural moral law. This law enables us to know ___. Select which apply.

• how to make money

• right from wrong

• which college to attend

• good from evil

• when Covid-19 will be over

Fun Facts (Natural vs. Revealed Law)

• Divine (or eternal) Law can be either natural or revealed

• Natural = enables us to discern that which is true and good and is the means by which we come to know the moral law. Is our innate wisdom (intellect) that guides our inclinations and desires ‘with a view to the true and the good’. In other words, it is part of our nature. Invisible.

• HOWEVER, the natural law is us participating in God's wisdom and goodness, so it is only fulfilled if we make good moral choices!

Multiple Choice

Based on what you just learned about 'natural law' and using your conscience (aka what informs your choices) identify whether the following situations support natural law or violate natural law: Lying to your spouse

• Natural

• Violation

Multiple Choice

Respecting your parents

• Natural

• Violation

Multiple Choice

Adopting a child if you cannot have your own.

• Natural

• Violation

Multiple Choice

Cheating on your significant other.

• Natural

• Violation

Multiple Choice

The death penalty

• Natural

• Violation

Revealed Law Time

• Found in the Old and New Testaments. Visible!

• Scripture echoes great moral principles and clearly teaches that all people share in and are guided by God's natural law: for example: Parables of Jesus; 10 Commandments, and the Beatitudes

Closing Remarks

Moral Law = God’s instructions for happiness (justice & peace) and is the work of divine wisdom. Moral law also prescribes the ways that lead to the promised Beatitude (seeing God face to face). Forbids the ways of evil and is rooted in LOVE! Moral law is fulfilled when I follow the natural law in my heart, which was given to me by God and cannot be destroyed or removed!

Open Ended

Reflection Response: What did you learn about the connection between natural law, moral law, and revealed law?