Life in Christ: Foundations for Theological Ethics (DT8002C)

Content

The context of this unit is the Catholic tradition and the recognition of the dignity of our call in Christ to “bring forth fruit in charity for the life of the world” (Vatican II Optatum Totius 16); it proceeds on the understanding that we are created as relational beings, in communion with God, humanity, and the rest of the created world.

The content of the unit includes: the call-response structure of Christian life; formation of a moral vision; the basis of moral obligation; Christian anthropology and moral response; sources for Christian morality/ethics – sacred scripture, church teaching, the moral tradition, natural law, human experience; conscience and ethical decision making; the moral act from both the objective perspective and that of the acting subject, morality and spirituality; freedom; sin and conversion; virtue. (This unit may be offered in online mode.)

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Lectures and workshops across each 3-hour session

Indicative Bibliography

• Curran, Charles E., and Richard McCormick, eds. Readings in Moral Theology. 18 vols. New York: Paulist, 1980–2017.
• Gula, Richard M. The Good Life: Where Morality and Spirituality Converge. New York: Paulist, 1999.
• Harrington, Daniel J., and James F. Keenan. Jesus and Virtue Ethics: Building Bridges Between New Testament Studies and Moral Theology. Lanham, MD: Sheed & Ward, 2002.
• Hays, Richard B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.
• John Paul, II. Veritatis Splendor. Encyclical Letter. 1993.
• Keating, James, ed. Moral Theology: New Directions and Fundamental Issues: Festschrift for James P. Hanigan. New York: Paulist, 2004.
• Lamoureux, Patricia and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society Theology in Global Perspective, Edited by Peter C. Phan. Theology in Global Perspective Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2010.
• Melina, Livio. Sharing in Christ’s Virtues: For a Renewal of Moral Theology in Light of Veritatis Splendor. Washington, DC: Catholic University Press, 2001.
• O’Neil, Kevin J., and Peter Black. The Essential Moral Handbook: A Guide to Catholic Living. Rev. ed. Liguori: Liguori, 2006.
• Pinckaers, Servais. The Sources of Christian Ethics. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1995.

Assessment