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CHRISTIAN ETHICS

In thIn the Footsteps of Christ

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CLARIFICATION OF TERMS

ETHICS from the Gk. wordethikos, which means character, &

ethos, which means custom. Custom means a more or lesspermanent moral behavior inaccordance with the precepts of natural moral law which isuniversally known and common toall men.

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In other Religions

Even non-Christians who do not know theGospel of Christbut who nevertheless seekGod with a sincere heart, & moved by grace,try in their actions to do his will as they know

it through the dictates of their conscience,may achieve eternal salvation.- Vatican II, LG 16

Whatever true, holy, and good could onlycome from one Divine Source.

Jesus remains the Way, the Truth, the Life toALL men and women.

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Specificity of Christian Morality

In terms of Sources

In terms of Characteristics

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Sources of Christian Ethics

SacredScriptures

Church Teh Teaching

The NormNormativelyHumanHumanpp Human ReasonHuman Reason

pp ExperienceExperience

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J esus Our Model

The uniqueness of Jesus Christ:Fully Divine and really human.

Christs divinity assures the validityof his undunderstanding and teachingregardingding the meaning of humanity,

and hisis huhumanity guarantees thepossibilitypossibility of our living in accordancewith hiswith his teteaching.

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Christian moral challenge

To be formed in the spiritof Christs love

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Our Call to LoveJ esus and the Commands to Love Love for God and neighbor

L ove the L ord your God with all yourheart, with all your soul soul, with all your

mind and with all your strength ngth. Youmust love your neighbor as yourself.(Mk 12:29-31; Mt 22:37-40)

The LoveLove wewe received from God I give yougive you a new commandment: loveone another; just as I have just as I have loved you,you must love one another. By this By thislovelove you have for one another,everyone will know thatknow that you are mydisciples (Jn 13:34-35)

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Our Call to Love

The normThe norm forforloving shiftsshifts

fromfrom selfself-loveto Gods loveGods loveforfor usus asasrevealedrevealed in andbyby ChristChrist.

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Characteristics of Christian

MoralityAffects first the person and then

the action.p Transf ansforms both the inside and

the outsidetside.p Considonsiders the profound

attitudes of the e personperson.

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Characteristics of Christian

MoralityRequiresRequires not only just actions but

alsoalso holiness.

FindsFinds itits beginning and end inlove. And it is love the way

Christ loves.

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Truths Presupposedin Ethics

1. The Existence of God God is the

Creator of man and his(Supernatural) Ultimate End.2. Immortality of the Soul the hope

for eternal life and eternal rewardssustains man in his struggle against

evil.

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Truths Presupposedin Ethics

3. Dignity of the Human Person

together with the rights and dutiesgiven to man to fulfill his destiny inthe world.

4. Mans life on earth is temporal andtemporary. Everything will come to

pass.

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Importance of Ethics1. As derived from its material and

formal objects.2. Mans most important concern is to

find his ultimate purpose in lifewhich is shown by Ethics.

3. Social life (human relations) isregulated by ethical moral principles.

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Importance of Ethics

4. Individuals who are not familiarwith Christ and His teachings will

have the opportunity to learnthem.

5. Through Ethics one learns howto create a clean living withhealthy lifestyle as well as toface daily challenges withconfidence and trust in God.

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Division of Ethics1. General Ethics deals with the

nature of the human acts andtheir relation to morality. It

focuses on the generalprinciples of morality.2. Special Ethics deals with the

application of the generalprinciples of morality to theparticular actions of man inprivate and public.