Mr.

Graham
Moral Theology
Notes for 4/14

We will begin class with a quick review of last class.

Ex opere operato is an important term to know.

Ex opere operato is a Latin expression meaning "by the work worked." It refers to the
fact that the sacraments confer grace when the sign is validly effected -- not as the result
of activity on the part of the recipent but by the power and promise of God.

Ex opere operantis is an important term to know.

A technical term literally meaning "from the work of the doer," to be distinguished from
ex opere opera-to, which refers to the grace-conferring power inherent in the sacramental
rite itself, as an action of Christ. Ex opere operantis refers to the role and value of the
recipient's or minister's moral condition in causing or receiving sacramental grace.

We are dignified being because

1) we are made in the image and likeness of God
2) we have an intellect
3) we have reason
4) we have free willsigmeund frued
(Sigmeund Freud does not believe that we have control over our passions and natural
instincts.)

Moral Theology by nature is accessible to all people

1) in accordance with human reason
2) in accordance with natural science

Our Teleos or ultimate end is to achieve eternal life.

Secular humanism/moral relativism
Objective vs subjective

Objective morality is universally true in all situations.

Subjective morality is true based on peoples opinions and different circumstances.
This refers to Pelagianism.
Pelagius denied that we inherit original sin from Adams sin in the Garden and claimed
that we become sinful only through the bad example of the sinful community into which
we are born. Conversely, he denied that we inherit righteousness as a result of Christs
death on the cross and said that we become personally righteous by instruction and
imitation in the Christian community, following the example of Christ. Pelagius stated
that man is born morally neutral and can achieve heaven under his own powers.
According to him, Gods grace is not truly necessary, but merely makes easier an
otherwise difficult task. Pelagianism exalts the person, while leaving God out of the
picture

This points out three important aspect of the faith:

1) Suffering
2) Free will
3) God uses us

The philosophy or life stance of secular humanism (alternatively known by some

adherents as Humanism, specifically with a capital H to distinguish it from other forms
of humanism) embraces human reason, ethics, and philosophical naturalism while
specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, pseudoscience,
and superstition as the bases of morality and decision making.