Christian Morality

This course leads students toward a deeper understanding of God's Law as revealed to us through human reason and Divine Revelation. The course begins by illustrating the problems with moral relativism before laying the foundations of moral theology, including Original Sin, the types and effects of sin, and the parts of the moral act. The rest of the course is then devoted to considering a variety of contemporary moral issues in the light of Christ's teaching and the Magisterium of the Church. The emphasis of the course is a practical discussion of how one might move beyond a servile "bare minimum" morality and into a relationship with God and others that is founded on sanctifying grace. In other words, this course emphasizes how the Christian can grow in virtue, not merely avoid vice.

Unit 1: What is Morality?
This unit will review the use of logical arguments, which will be a key skill throughout the rest of the course. It will also define morality and establish the universal nature of morality.

Unit 2: Sin and Virtue
This unit will examine the factors that contribute to the morality of an action. It will also classify the types of sin and define the cardinal and theological virtues.

Unit 3: Responsibilities to God
This unit will consider our moral responsibilities toward God as given in the first three Commandments.

Unit 4: Theology of the Body
This unit will establish an understanding of sexuality, marriage, and the family based on natural law and Divine Revelation, using Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body”

Unit 5: The Dignity of Life
This unit will unpack the full meaning of the commandment, “You shall not kill.” Based on the inherent dignity of the human person, it will consider how life is protected from conception until natural death.