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Defining Christian Ethics: Key Perspectives

The document discusses various definitions of Christian ethics that were proposed. It provides definitions from four different views: 1) focusing on moral laws and obligations, 2) emphasizing conformity to duty and God's will through reason and revelation, 3) stressing the attainment of true happiness through virtues and revelation, and 4) centered on conforming acts to values that enrich humanity through revelation. The writer then proposes his own definition: that Christian ethics studies human acts to direct them toward a loving vision of God as our true and complete happiness and final end, attained through grace, virtue and gifts in light of revelation and reason.

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83 views2 pages

Defining Christian Ethics: Key Perspectives

The document discusses various definitions of Christian ethics that were proposed. It provides definitions from four different views: 1) focusing on moral laws and obligations, 2) emphasizing conformity to duty and God's will through reason and revelation, 3) stressing the attainment of true happiness through virtues and revelation, and 4) centered on conforming acts to values that enrich humanity through revelation. The writer then proposes his own definition: that Christian ethics studies human acts to direct them toward a loving vision of God as our true and complete happiness and final end, attained through grace, virtue and gifts in light of revelation and reason.

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SUMMARY OF THE DEFINITIONS OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS

In trying to define Christian ethics, Father Prummer establishes a difficulty when he says that
it is very hard to get a real definition of moral theology from either ancient Fathers of the
Church or modern theologians. This difficulty brings to light the implications contained in the
definitions. However, a definition is necessary to better understand the sacred science of
Christian Ethics. The following are various attempts towards a definition. These definitions
have certain constant elements that are differently interpreted by various authors.

The first definition views Christian Ethics as the branch of theology that studies human acts
in so far as they are subject to the moral law, to its imperative and the obligations determined
by these in the light of revelation. This, in recent centuries, have become a classic definition.
It is focused on laws and obligations.

The second definition is that Christian Ethics studies human acts in order to conform them to
duty and norms imposed by reason and by the will of God, in the light of revelation. This is a
more philosophical concept.

In the third definition, Christian Ethics is that which studies human acts in order to direct
them to the attainment of true happiness and to the ultimate end of the person by means of the
virtues, in the light of revelation. This definition is in harmony with the Fathers of the Church
especially St. Thomas Aquinas. It emphasizes the happiness of the individual.

In the fourth definition Christian Ethics is a branch of theology that studies human acts in
order to conform them to the values contributing to human enrichment, in the light of
revelation. This is a modern and positive theory; it is focused on virtues rather than
obligations.

There are contemporary theories of Christian ethics which indicate that freedom and personal
conscience override law; love and interconnectedness outweigh relationships and duty. It also
sees responsibility, creativity and dialogue as more important than obedience to authority.

The writer however gave his own solid definition of Christian Ethics: the branch of theology
that studies human acts so as to direct them to a loving vision of God seen as our true,
complete happiness and our final end. Attained by grace, virtue, and gifts in the light of
revelation and reason.
The reasons for this definition are further highlighted. Firstly, that Christian Ethics is but a
branch of a much larger whole which seeks to reopen the lines of communication with the
other branches of sacred sciences.

Being a study of free, voluntary human acts – both interior and exterior – the subject matter
of Christian Ethics is all about individual actions and all those orientations that determine a
person’s future that result in many interrelated actions.

The expression “to direct them to a loving vision of God” is a response to the question of
human destiny. This is because, the destiny of all humans is the loving vision of God.

Furthermore, this loving vision of God is revelation’s true, complete answer to the question
of happiness raised in every human heart. The kind of happiness meant here is that which is
true and rightful. The kind perceived in the beatitudes.

“Our final end” in the definition means the supreme goal towards which our life and all our
actions are oriented. This finality is both personal and communitarian.

Only God, through the gift of grace, and through theological and moral virtues can bring us to
fully possess him and enjoy his beatitudes and his loving vision. Grace and virtues are
essential elements to morality, hence the reason for adopting them in the definition.

In the light of revelation and reason; Christian Ethics should consider revelation as its
principle and direct source but must also work with reason which is the power of human
intelligence. Thus, it should be simultaneously open to spiritual enlightenment and faithful to
the rigorous discipline of thought.

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