Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology Part I: From the Genesis to St. Augustine

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1 Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology Part I: From the Genesis to St. Augustine Professor: Matthew R. Petrusek, PhD Biography: Matthew Petrusek is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received a masters degree in religious ethics from Yale University, and a PhD in the same field from the University of Chicago. His specializations include meta-ethics, the intersection of philosophical and theological ethics, Christian ethics, ethics and political theory, natural law, virtue theory, distributive justice, and human dignity. He has published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the Journal of Moral Philosophy, Philosophy and Theology, and Studies in Christian Ethics, and has served as an on-air analyst for Noticias MundoFox, CNN Español, and KCal CBS Los Angeles. Petrusek is also the founder of Wisefaith Ministries, a ministry dedicated to making the depth and beauty of the Catholic Intellectual accessible and relevant for our times. Course Description: What is moral theology and why does it matter for Catholics and non-catholics alike? This class will provide an introduction to the great ideas in Catholic moral theology, starting with the Old Testament, moving through the early Church fathers, and ending with an examination of the great mind of St. Augustine. The class is a part of a series of classes that will provide a comprehensive overview of Catholic Moral Theology. This is Part I. Some Basic Guiding and Motivating Questions: How is moral theology related to the Catholic understanding of the good life and salvation? What is justification and sanctification and why do they matter morally? What is the origin of evil and sin? What is virtue and what role does in play in the moral life? What is reason, love, and the will and what role do they play in the moral life? How should a Catholic relate to secular government authority? How does moral theology help me address moral problems and make decisions? Course Objectives Obtain a basic grasp of the definition of moral theology and how it relates to theology as a whole 1

2 Obtain a basic understanding of some key biblical texts in the Old Testament and New Testament and why they matter morally Obtain a basic understanding of the thought of St. Augustine Obtain a basic understanding of the meanings of love, sin, free will, virtue, sanctification, justification and how all these relate to morality Methods Used to Teach: Lecture White Board/Chalk Board Handouts Lots of Discussion! Who is this class for? Anyone who wants to learn more about their faith! There are no prerequisites and those of ALL educational levels are welcome. It is important to note, though, that the material will be primarily of interest for adults. Readings All the readings will be available either in a Bible or in digital format, which you can receive via . It is not necessary to purchase any books. Course Schedule: There will be ONE class a week, but each class will be offered at TWO different days/times (for example, once on a weekday evening and once on a weekend morning). The class will run for a total of six (6) weeks, for a total of six (6) distinct classes. Each class will run for two (2) hours. Fee There is NO fee to take this course, though a $10.00 donation for each weekly class you attend is greatly appreciated Language The readings are in English and the class will be taught in English; however, the professor also speaks Spanish and so would be happy to taken and answer questions in Spanish, if necessary. Where can I find out more information about the professor and Wisefaith Ministries? Please visit the website: wisefaithministries.org. Also feel free to visit the Ministry s blog: wisefaith.blog (Please see the next page for a detailed list of classes topics and readings) 2

3 Introduction to Moral Theology: Part I Course Schedule CLASS CLASS TOPICS READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS 1 Introduction: What is Moral Theology and How Do We -No reading for the first class Study It? The Old Testament and Covenantal Theology: Laying the Foundations The New Testament, The New Covenant, and the Moral Teachings of Jesus Christ Early Church Writings and the Formation of a Christian Moral Identity St. Augustine I: Sin and the Freedom of the Will - The Book of Genesis: 1:1-17:27 -The Book of Exodus: 19:1-25:9 -The Gospel of Matthew: 1:1-7:28 -The Gospel of Luke: 2:1-6:49; 10:25-10:37 -The Letter of Paul to the Romans: 1:1-15:14 -The Didache -Readings from Justin Martyr -Selections from St. Augustine s Confessions 6 St. Augustine I: Sin and the Freedom of the Will -Selections from St. Augustine s City of God 3

4 Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology Part II: From St. Thomas Aquinas to the Birth of the Catholic Social Thought Tradition Professor: Matthew R. Petrusek, PhD Biography: Matthew Petrusek is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received a masters degree in religious ethics from Yale University, and a PhD in the same field from the University of Chicago. His specializations include meta-ethics, the intersection of philosophical and theological ethics, Christian ethics, ethics and political theory, natural law, virtue theory, distributive justice, and human dignity. He has published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the Journal of Moral Philosophy, Philosophy and Theology, and Studies in Christian Ethics, and has served as an on-air analyst for Noticias MundoFox, CNN Español, and KCal CBS Los Angeles. Petrusek is also the founder of Wisefaith Ministries, a ministry dedicated to making the depth and beauty of the Catholic Intellectual accessible and relevant for our times. Course Description: What is moral theology and why does it matter for Catholics and non-catholics alike? This class continues its examination of the great ideas in Catholic moral theology, starting with one of the greatest minds in the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, moving through the great division of the Church in the Reformation, studying the Church s response, and then finishing with a look at the birth of the Catholic Social Thought Tradition at the end of the 19 th century. Along the way we will also examine the thought of the founder of the Jesuits, St. Igantius of Loyola, and the founder of the Franciscans, St. Francis of Assisi, and see the great influence both have had on the Church. The class is a part of a series of classes that will provide a comprehensive overview of Catholic Moral Theology. This is Part II. Some Basic Guiding and Motivating Questions: How is moral theology related to the Catholic understanding of the good life and salvation? How can we speak rationally about God and human happiness? What is natural law and how does it relate to faith? What are the fundamental differences between Catholics and Protestants and why do they matter? What are the differences between different religious orders in the Church? How does moral theology help me address moral problems and make decisions? 4

5 Course Objectives Obtain a basic grasp of the definition of moral theology and how it relates to theology as a whole Obtain a basic understanding of some key concepts in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, including the meaning of God, the four causes of everything in existence, and the definitions of natural law and human happiness. Obtain a basic understanding of the fundamental differences between Catholicism and Protestantism and why they matter Obtain a basic understanding of Jesuit and Franciscan theologies Obtain a basic understanding of the meanings of reason, natural law, virtue, sanctification and how all these relate to morality Methods Used to Teach: Lecture White Board/Chalk Board Handouts Lots of Discussion! Who is this class for? Anyone who wants to learn more about their faith! There are no prerequisites and those of ALL educational levels are welcome. It is important to note, though, that the material will be primarily of interest for adults. Readings All the readings will be available either in a Bible or in digital format, which you can receive via . It is not necessary to purchase any books. Course Schedule: There will be ONE class a week, but each class will be offered at TWO different days/times (for example, once on a weekday evening and once on a weekend morning). The class will run for a total of six (6) weeks, for a total of six (6) distinct classes. Each class will run for two (2) hours. Fee There is NO fee to take this course, though a $10.00 donation for each weekly class you attend is greatly appreciated Language The readings are in English and the class will be taught in English; however, the professor also speaks Spanish and so would be happy to taken and answer questions in Spanish, if necessary. 5

6 Where can I find out more information about the professor and Wisefaith Ministries? Please visit the website: wisefaithministries.org. Also feel free to visit the Ministry s blog: wisefaith.blog Introduction to Moral Theology: Part II Course Schedule CLASS CLASS TOPICS READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS 1 St. Thomas Aquinas Explains God and Everything Else! -Selections from the Summa Theologica 2 3 St. Thomas Aquinas on the Definition of Human Happiness, the Natural Law, and the Relationship Between Church and State The Family Divides: The Protestant Reformation and Its Consequences -Selections from the Summa Theologica -Selections from Martin Luther, the first Protestant The Church Responds: The Counter Reformation and the Council of Trent Two Paths, One Faith: the Legacies of the Jesuits and the Franciscans Pope Leo XIII and the Birth of the Catholic Social Thought Tradition -Selections from the Council of Trent -Selections from St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis of Assisi -Selections from Pope Leo XIII s Rerum novarum 6

7 Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology Part III: From Vatican II to Pope Francis Professor: Matthew R. Petrusek, PhD Biography: Matthew Petrusek is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received a masters degree in religious ethics from Yale University, and a PhD in the same field from the University of Chicago. His specializations include meta-ethics, the intersection of philosophical and theological ethics, Christian ethics, ethics and political theory, natural law, virtue theory, distributive justice, and human dignity. He has published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the Journal of Moral Philosophy, Philosophy and Theology, and Studies in Christian Ethics, and has served as an on-air analyst for Noticias MundoFox, CNN Español, and KCal CBS Los Angeles. Petrusek is also the founder of Wisefaith Ministries, a ministry dedicated to making the depth and beauty of the Catholic Intellectual accessible and relevant for our times. Course Description: What is moral theology and why does it matter for Catholics and non-catholics alike? This class will continue its examinations the great ideas in Catholic moral theology, starting with a monumental theological and moral event in Church history Vatican II moving to an examination of the idea of conscience in Catholic thought, and then turning to the theology of three profoundly influential Popes: St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. We will end by looking at some contemporary trends and issues in moral theology, including an emphasis on protecting the natural environment. The class is a part of a series of classes that will provide a comprehensive overview of Catholic Moral Theology. This is Part III. Some Basic Guiding and Motivating Questions: What did and did not change in Vatican II, particularly with regard to moral theology? What does conscience mean and how does it relate to Church teachings on morality? What is the theology underpinning the Church s defense of life from conception to natural death? What is the contemporary understanding of the relationship between faith and reason in the Church? How is Pope Francis s papacy influencing the character and direction of the Church? How does moral theology relate to the specific moral issues of our time, like immigration, environmental degradation, abortion, poverty, etc.? 7

8 Course Objectives Obtain a basic grasp of the definition of moral theology and how it relates to theology as a whole Obtain a basic understanding of some key ideas in Vatican II Obtain a basic understanding of the key ideas in the theologies of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis Obtain a basic understanding of how abstract moral principles can be applied to concrete moral issues. Methods Used to Teach: Lecture White Board/Chalk Board Handouts Lots of Discussion! Who is this class for? Anyone who wants to learn more about their faith! There are no prerequisites and those of ALL educational levels are welcome. It is important to note, though, that the material will be primarily of interest for adults. Readings All the readings will be available either in a Bible or in digital format, which you can receive via . It is not necessary to purchase any books. Course Schedule: There will be ONE class a week, but each class will be offered at TWO different days/times (for example, once on a weekday evening and once on a weekend morning). The class will run for a total of six (6) weeks, for a total of six (6) distinct classes. Each class will run for two (2) hours. Fee There is NO fee to take this course, though a $10.00 donation for each weekly class you attend is greatly appreciated Language The readings are in English and the class will be taught in English; however, the professor also speaks Spanish and so would be happy to taken and answer questions in Spanish, if necessary. Where can I find out more information about the professor and Wisefaith Ministries? Please visit the website: wisefaithministries.org. Also feel free to visit the Ministry s blog: wisefaith.blog 8

9 Introduction to Moral Theology: Part III Course Schedule CLASS CLASS TOPICS READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS 1 The Church in Relation to a Modern World: Vatican II -Selections from Gaudium et Spes and its Legacy The Meaning of Conscience in a Multi-(an No-)Faith World St. John Paul the II and the Gospel of Life Pope Benedict XVI and the Essential Relationship between Faith and Reason Pope Francis and the Joy of the Gospel Contemporary Trends and Issues -Selections from Nostra aetate and Dignitatis humanae -Selections from Evangelium vitae -Selections from Lumen fidei -Selections from Evangelium gaudium -Readings to be announced 9

Religion Eighth Grade

Religion Eighth Grade Program Goal: The learner will study the Catholic faith and be able to apply these beliefs in their actions through various service, prayer, and decision making opportunities. Grade