The Way of the Lord Jesus, Volume One: Christian Moral Principles
Overview
Volume one of Germain Grisez’s three-volume work is constructed primarily as a textbook in fundamental moral theology for students in Catholic seminaries. However, those already ordained to the priesthood, teachers of religion, parents concerned about the catechetical formation of their children, and others will find this book helpful as well. Some questions naturally arise regarding this monumental undertaking. Why, for example, should so extensive a project be carried out in one field—that of moral theology? And why should seminary students devote so much of their time to this one subject? The answer is that morality is characteristic of human actions whose free and intelligent choice make human beings like unto God. This volume specifically covers the fundamentals of Christian moral principles.
Top Highlights
“neither have you understood [Is 7:9 in the Septuagint]” (Page 5)
“genuine contemplative theology leads from talk about God to the ‘theology’ which is talk with God: to prayer” (Page 6)
“God reveals himself in order to establish a personal relationship with us. Through this relationship he wishes to bring humankind, and indeed all things, into personal touch with himself: ‘to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth’ (Eph 1:10). This is a work of integration in which we are called to play a significant part. But to integrate realities, we must know and act upon the truth about them (see S.t., 1, q. 1, a. 6). Truths of faith must be integrated with all other truths we can know. Systematic theology helps us do this and so helps us cooperate in the work of restoring all things to God through Christ.” (Page 5)
“Much later, at the time of the Reformation, Luther and others rightly wished to emphasize sinful humankind’s total dependence on God’s grace. But they made the mistake of supposing that, in crediting salvation entirely to God, we must exclude the sinner’s responsibility for his or her conversion and justification. Thus these Protestants denied human free choice. Against them, the Council of Trent solemnly defined the truth that human beings, even after Adam’s sin, can make free choices (see DS 1555/815). Good free choices also are God’s gift, yet they are truly our own free choices (see DS 1525/797; also see S.t., 1–2, q. 111, a. 2).” (Page 43)
“As used by Vatican II, ‘conscience’ refers at once to awareness of principles of morality, to the process of reasoning from principles to conclusions, and to the conclusions, which are moral judgments on choices made or under consideration. St. Thomas uses a particular word for each: ‘synderesis’ for awareness of principles, ‘practical reasoning’ for the process of moving from principles to conclusions, and ‘conscience’ for the concluding judgment only (see S.t., 1, q. 79, aa. 12–13; 1–2, q. 94, aa. 2, 6).” (Page 76)
- Title: The Way of the Lord Jesus, Volume One: Christian Moral Principles
- Author: Germain Grisez
- Series: The Way of the Lord Jesus
- Publisher: St. Paul’s
- Print Publication Date: 1997
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Christian ethics › Catholic authors
- ISBNs: 0819908614, 9780819908612
- Resource ID: LLS:WYLRDMPRNCPLS01
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T21:11:53Z