Description and Objectives

Moral Theology is the study of God as man’s source and destination. In this class we will explore, “from the ground up,” how we can hope to find true happiness, both in a natural and supernatural sense. In this semester-long class, we will study moral principles as laid out by the tradition of the Church and divine revelation, with the use of our natural reason and through the lens of faith to discover our ultimate end, union with God. The general themes of the course will include Law, Conscience, Human Acts, Moral Acts, the Commandments, the Beatitudes, Virtues and Vices. This class will be doctrinal and personal. The twofold aim of the class is to learn the basics of moral Catholic teaching while growing in friendship with Our Lord.

Textbooks

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition)

Course Requirements

Students are expected to come prepared to each class with the appropriate materials (see Course Materials below), having carefully read the appropriate material from the assigned texts. Students who are thus prepared will be better able to contribute to class discussions. Students should also count on taking careful and thoughtful notes, not all of which will be written down on the board in class.

Successful Students

In addition to tending to nightly work and reading, students should strive to take part in class discussions as much as possible. Taking part in the group discussion will be easier for those students who attend to the class lecture and notes portion of each lesson with humble, critical thinking. Those who are having difficulty should come find me at any time to discuss the class.