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Law as a Guide to Freedom
Does this make sense?
Chapter Overview
What is it?
Role of passions
Moral norms
Law: moral, natural, civil, old and new
covenants
Precepts of the church
Freedom & Responsibility
Because we are made in the image of
God, we have the capacity to think and
choose.
Remember the definition for selfdetermination:
We are the MASTERS of our own actions.
This may seem like common sense but not
all people believe this.
Determinists
Determinists deny that humans have the power
to choose.
Some religions teach that fate, astrology and
other spiritual type forces preordains and
controls our choices (i.e. God, the devil)
Some sociologists believe that all are choices
are dictated by the way we grow up.
Some biologist believe that all are choices are
fixed by our genes.
The church teaches that we are selfdetermining, that is, we choose what we want to
do.
What is Freedom?
Selecting our own goals in life and then
moving towards them.
We should go after what is good, what
fulfills our needs, what satisfies out hearts.
Choosing to do good leads to more
freedom in life where choosing to do evil
leads to slavery and bondage. Ex’s
Sexual choices, addictions…
William Wallace
Two Types of Freedom:
External and Internal Freedom
External freedom
Freedom from factors
outside of ourselves that
threaten our power of
choice
Ex.’s
Poverty – starvation
doesn’t allow you to get
an education
Tyranny – can’t vote or
worship freely because of
dictatorship
Internal Freedom
Freedom from interior
factors that limit choice
Ex’s
Fear – a fear of flying
may prohibit you from
visiting certain places
Addiction – to alcohol can
hinder you keeping a job
or going deeper in your
relationships
William Wallace
Wallace says, “They may take our lives,
but they will never take our freedom.”
What kind of freedom is Wallace talking
about?
Is Wallace’s view of freedom determinist or
not? How?
Freedom:
Wallace picture
True Freedom
True Freedom liberates us to develop our
God-given talents so we can live our lives
for others and for our loving God.
It is not to do whatever you want because
that can sometimes lead to slavery and
harm to others
It elevates humans; it never demeans
Think about the “pro-choice” movement
This is a misnomer.
Emotions and Morality
Ephesians 4:26 says “Be angry but do not
sin; do not let the sun set on your anger”
Anger is our BS meter
It is a good thing as long as we use it in
the right way
Story about my friend pushing a friend of
mine.
Other emotions: sadness, fear
Beliefs and Values
Beliefs – expressions of our faith
Values – standards or qualities that we
deem worthwhile
Ex. Our belief in Jesus’ core teaching on
compassion makes us value qualities like
mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and
empathy
Principles and Norms
Principles are positive guidelines for living out
our values.
Ex. The value of compassion leads us to
principle of looking out for the needs of the poor
(food, shelter, clothing, education)
Norms or laws translate our beliefs, values, and
principles into concrete policies or courses of
action.
Ex. We believe in marriage, value marital fidelity,
have a principle of communication with your
spouse about troubles, norms or laws of not
committing adultery or lust for another’s spouse
Simple Rules We Were Taught as
Kids
Never ride with…
If you make a mess…
Look both ways before…
If it ain’t broke…
More?
Law and Morality
Law and Morality:
Four Components
Laws are reasonable
Laws are for the common good – ex. A fair
income tax law helps provide for human
services like police protection, education, and
affordable housing for the poor
3. Competent authority – civil and church leaders
derive their authority to make and enforce laws
from God
4. Laws must be promulgated or announced in
such a ways that people can be expected to
know it (written or announced)
1.
2.
Four Expressions of Moral Law
1.
2.
3.
4.
Natural Law
Civil Law
Revealed Law
Church Law
**All four our based on premise that we have
good judgment within us which will
always lead us to the truth but that we
sometimes need help from God
Natural and Civil Laws
Natural Law
The light of
understanding God has
placed in us.
It is the foundation of both
civil and moral rules.
It applies to all peoples in
all places for all time.
Ex. Killing innocent
human beings or rape is
always wrong
Civil laws
The application of the
natural law for members
of a given society
The moral laws in the OT
and NT contains the
major points of natural
law.
Revealed law
The Old Law
The Ten
Commandments
express the many
truths concerning the
natural law that
human reason can
discover on its own
The New Law
The Gospel of Jesus
Christ, or the law of
Love which is
summarized in Loving
God, neighbour, self
It doesn’t add new
rules but rather
questions our motives
It gets to the heart
The heart of the Law is asking…
WWJD?
Jesus is our example
Jesus is the root of all Christian morality
Jesus is our moral guide
Jesus’ code of ethics can be found in a set
of teachings known as the Beatitudes
We will now look at the Beatitudes
Church Laws:
Applications of the Revealed Laws
1. Attending Mass Sundays and other holy
2.
3.
4.
5.
days
Confessing our sins
Receiving Holy Communion during
Easter
Observing days of fasting and
abstinence
Providing for the needs of all God’s
people