Biblical Roots of CST and Catholic Moral Theology - Essay Example

Biblical Roots of CST and Catholic Moral Theology Christianity is an age old religion and the doctrine of Jesus Christ plays a pivotal role in it .Bible being the main religious literature of Christianity is as old as the Christian religion itself. In Christianity, the teachings of the relationship between solidarity with life and human dignity have a significant importance. Solidarity aims at moving beyond itself, and embraces the concept of Christianity like forgiveness, reconciliation, and total gratuity. These factors are important in the enhancement of quality of life of members of the society. In the same way, Christianity has ethics which is termed as Christian moral theology. This comprises of medical and social ethics, doctrines and virtues. Theology of Lonergan One of the important theologians is Lonergan who explained about “Classicist and “Historicist” view of the religion. He was of the opinion that the “Historicist mindset” of the religion is more apt to human being than the “Classicist “view. For him, the two mindset of religion were “Classicist” and “Historicist” where former is traditional and latter is modern religious thinking. Lonergan wanted to transit the religion from traditional and conservative to modern and liberal. According to him ( Lonergan 2 ) “The difference between the two are enormous, for they differ in their apprehension of man, in their account of the good, and in the role they ascribe to the Church in the world”. For Lonergan, the achievements of the religion from both the perspective need to be understood for men to differentiate between “Classicist” and “Historic” theology of Christianity. For him, human nature is about change from old to new and the same perception applies to religion. The men have changed in every arena let it be medicine, science or politics .So, Lonergan wanted the same attitude applied to the religion because the wants and desires of men change along with the time. A transition of Christianity from “Classicist” to “Historicist” means the attitude and understanding of the people in relation to religion is becoming more transparent and adaptable. Both, this idea are of exclusive nature as “Classicist” is traditional idea of Christianity while “Historicist view” is all about modern religious view. If we look at “Lonergan”, then we can see his view upon Christian religion is different. He is more inclined to the virtues of the religion like love, compassion, unity and forgiveness. For a better society, Jesus Christ encouraged us to love each other, assist our neighbors, and forgive the trespasses of other people (Benestad 71). This is because social values express appreciation for the moral good concepts. The values need the basic principles involved in social life and in the expression of virtue. Thus, moral attitudes are directly influenced by the values. People have the religious and societal reason to be truthful, and illustrate appropriate witness towards it. Freedom illustrates that man has been created in divine image, and it also illustrates dignity to every individual. Justice is necessary to ensure adherence to the corresponding moral virtue (Benestad 67). Lonergan and Birge The ideology of Lonergan was based on idealistic theology of Christianity where there was immense importance to love, compassion and dignity. However, when it is compared to the scholarship of Birge, subjectivity tends to alter. Birge is an evolutionist and also an atheist from some angle whose principles cannot be compared to that of Lonergan. He completely believed in God and in religion. But when it comes to Birge, less importance can be given to the religion and God himself as he did not support the evolution as prescribed by the Bible. This gives an exact notion that the original Bible is not supported by Birge even though he was a Bible tutor in his early age and evolutionary suggested by Bible was not comprehended by Lonergan is not a traditional theologian as his view upon Christianity was entirely different from Birge. Birge was a Bible teacher but he was not relying upon Bible like Lonegran. Birge’s Biblical scholarship was more about scientific when it was about the evolution theory and he was thinking more of as a “Historicist”. In this perspective, the ideals of Birge and Lonegran can be equalized. In Christianity, the evolution concept has an important role to play same as the Ten Commandments. According to (Catechism of Catholic Church) “The Ten Commandments teach us the “true humanity of men” and they bring to light the essential duties of human”. So the theory of Birge can be coincided with Lonergan to an extent because Lonergan was a complete theologiest as he had viewed Christianity from both extreme perspective and advocated for the best. Moral Theology When it comes to moral theology, the moral virtues illustrate the order of social institutions like the Church. Due to this principle, the sin model which forms relationship between individuals should be overcome. The individuals should thus be transformed into solidarity structures by the development of appropriate judicial systems and laws (Benard 49). The church doctrine on molarity illustrates clear relationship of solidarity with common good, solidarity with universal goods destination, between solidarity and equality, and between solidarity and world peace. Morality in summary illustrates the ties which unite individuals and also the social groups. It is the space responsible for human freedom in the areas of social shared by all individuals. Human freedom enhances human dignity, because it encourages ability to assemble, communicate and relate with other individuals harmoniously (Keenan 23). The free space also enhances the life standards of people. People are free to make whichever decisions that safeguards their interests and well being. The commitment of solidarity towards common growth, translates into the ability of understanding that nothing is inadequate during the common cause. Molarity results into the ability of committing oneself to the common good and the good of the neighbors, without thinking of the individual interest and any particular interest.The Morality concept enables people to form increased awareness of being debtors to the society. The people are debtors to the society due to the favorable living environment or existence conditions. The present technological development and advancement in scientific knowledge, has the ability of resulting into indebtedness. The knowledge provided by the society has the effect of improving the life of people in the society. The human debt is also recognized through social interactions. Humanity journey is thus not disrupted, and it remains open in both present and future generations. All the generations participate together in sharing the solidarity gift, which translates into increased life and positive life experiences (McCarty 175). The two principles; solidarity and life and dignity, are closely related and dependent on each other. Morality generally translates into an appropriate life and dignity for mankind. This results into a common growth of individuals in the society. Solidarity illustrates the life of the individuals and equality in terms of equality and dignity. Morality illustrates the common direction that individuals follow in terms of achieve high standards of human dignity and quality of life. There is great bond between people towards realizing common interest that will ensure life satisfaction (PCJP 98). Morality is a social principle and also that ensures high life quality, and also a moral virtue which upholds the concepts of human dignity. The existing interdependence relationships among individuals must be changed to the relationships which foster appropriate socio-ethical solidarity. This illustrates moral requirement that exists in the human relationships. Solidarity is thus viewed according to two perspectives. The first perspective is social principle, which ensures oneness and hence solidarity and morality. The second issue illustrates moral virtue that values all aspects of human dignity. In the same manner, the Church also gives high relevance to Christian social thought. Catholic Social Thought The CST has seven significant principles. The principles are; meaning and unity, common good, universal goods destination, subsidiarity, participation, solidarity, social life, and the way of love. The first principle of CST illustrates meaning and duty. The principles form a significant part in Catholic social teachings. Human person dignity is the basis of the principles, and the real aspect of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. The social doctrines involve solidarity, common good, and subsidarity. These principles emanates from the Gospel message, and the demands illustrated in the superior commandment illustrating form the Commandment or principle of loving God and neighbors through justice with the challenges that arise from the society (Benard 46).The second principles entail common good. The responsibility of ensuring common good also lies with the state. This is because political power arises because of common good. The third CST principle involves universal destination involving the good. God made the earth and all its components for people, so that the entire shared components would be equally shared by all people through justice and charity. The fourth CST principle entails the subsidiary principle. It is impossible to enhance the dignity of individuals without illustrating adequate concern and interest for associations, families, territorial realities and groups. The fifth principle shows participation. The citizen, individually or through association or representation, contributes towards the political, social and economic aspects of the surrounding community or society. Principle six illustrates solidarity and the seventh principle involves the social life fundamental concepts. From all these, it can be understood that the second principal of common good is more apt for human being because all that matters is the goodness in the human being. Work Cited Benestad, J. Brian. Church, state, and society: an introduction to Catholic social doctrine.Rome: CUA Press. 2011. Print Cathceism of Catholic Church, . God,s plan of love for humanity. Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2004. 2. Print. Keenan, James F. A History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century: From Confessing Sins to Liberating Consciences. London: Continuum. 2010. Print. Lonergan, Bernard. The Transition from a Classicist Worldview to Historical- Mindedness,in A Second Collection, ed. William F.J. Ryan and Bernard J. Tyrell. London: Darton, Longman & Todd. 1974. Print. McCarthy, David M. The Heart of Catholic Social Teaching: Its Origins and Contemporary Significance. Grand Rapids, Mich: Brazos Press. 2009. Print Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (PCJP). Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Città del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 2004. Print. Read More