Christian Moral Life, The: Directions for the Journey to Happiness

✍ Scribed by John Rziha

• Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
• Year: 2017
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 369
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

To take a journey, travelers must know where they are, where they are going, and how to get there. Moral theology examines the same three truths. The Christian Moral Life is a handbook for moral theology that uses the theme of a journey to explain its key ethical concepts. First, humans begin with their creation in the image of God. Secondly, the goal of the journey is explained as a loving union with God, to achieve a share in his eternal happiness. Third and finally, the majority of the book examines how to attain this goal. Within the journey motif, the book covers the moral principles essential for attaining true happiness. Based on an examination of the moral methodology in the bible, the book discusses the importance of participating in divine nature through grace in order to attain eternal happiness. It further notes the role of law, virtue, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in guiding and transforming humans into friends of God, who participate in his happiness. Following this section on moral theology in general, the book analyzes the individual virtues to give more concrete guidance. The entire project builds upon the insights of great Christian thinkers, such as Thomas Aquinas, Thérèse of Lisieux, and John Paul II, to uncover the moral wisdom in scripture and to show people how to be truly happy both in this life and the next. This book will be of great interest to undergraduate students of moral theology, priests and seminarians, parents and teachers seeking to raise and to form happy children, and anyone interested in discovering the meaning of true happiness.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
The Christian Moral Life
Title
Copyright
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations and Translations
Introduction
PART I . MORAL THEOLOGY IN GENERAL
1 In the Image of God
2 The History of Human Nature
3 Happiness: God’s Goal for Humans
4 Moral Methodology in the Bible
5 The Individual Steps on the Journey: Human Actions
6 The Transforming Power of Grace
7 Law: Guidance to Proper Actions
8 Virtue: Good Habits Perfecting the Natural Inclinations
9 Guidance from the Holy Spirit
10 Sin, Temptation, and Vice: The Road to Unhappiness
11 Completing the Map to Happiness
PART I I . THE INDIVIDUAL VIRTUES AND LAWS
12 Faith: The First Virtue of the Moral Life
13 Hope: Trust in God’s Mercy
14 Charity: Friendship with God
15 Prudence: The Virtue of Making Good Decisions
16 Justice: Part One
17 Justice: Part Two
18 Temperance: The Virtue of Enjoying Truly Good Things
19 Fortitude: The Virtue of Striving for Truly Good Things
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index