Theology 3 Final Exam Study Guide

Faith

Trust and belief in God and His promises

Hope

Desire and expectation for eternal life and grace

Love (Charity)

Willing the good of another; selfless love

Proof-texting

Using scripture out of context to prove a point

Exegetical task

Interpreting the original meaning of biblical texts

Determinism

The belief that free will does not exist

Natural Law

Moral truths rooted in human nature, discoverable by reason

Relativism

Belief that moral truth is subjective or culture-based

St. Augustine

Theologian emphasizing grace and original sin

St. Thomas Aquinas

Philosopher-theologian; natural law & virtues

Virtue

Habitual disposition to do good

St. Ignatius Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits; emphasized discernment

Free will

The ability to choose between right and wrong

Mortal sin

Serious sin that breaks relationship with God

Venial sin

Lesser sin that weakens but does not sever the relationship with God

Original sin

Human tendency toward sin from birth

Social sin

Sinful structures in society harming others

Magisterium

Church's official teaching authority

Happiness

Ultimate end for humans in union with God

Comparative justice

Weighing moral reasons for war versus harm

Social contract

Ethical view based on mutual agreement in society

Conscience

Inner judgment to discern moral right from wrong

Double effect

Principle allowing actions with both good and bad effects

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5-7 on morality

Hermeneutical task

Applying scripture meaning to modern context

Competing authority

When Church and government authorities conflict

Last resort

Just war principle: war only if all peaceful options fail

Categorical imperatives

Kant: moral law that applies to everyone equally

Benevolent spectator

Utilitarian ideal: weigh all lives equally

Experiencing subjects of life

Those with conscious experiences deserve moral concern

Christocentric task

Focusing on Jesus in ethical interpretation

Methodological task

Understanding how we do moral theology

Counsels of prudence

Practical wisdom in moral decision-making

Arianism

Heresy denying the full divinity of Jesus

Docetism

Heresy saying Jesus only seemed human

Aristotelian Ethics

Virtue is the mean between extremes

Kantian Ethics

Act according to duty; universal moral law

Utilitarianism

Choose actions that maximize overall happiness

Rights-Based Ethics

Focus on protecting individual human rights

Elements of a Moral Act

Object - The action itself; Intention - The reason or motive for acting; Circumstance - The context, including who, when, where, how

The Church opposes relativism

True

Social sin affects only individuals

False

Jesus is a moral model for Christians

True

Utilitarianism values some lives more than others

False (ideally)

Double effect requires intention of good

True

Define and apply the principle of double effect

Short Answer Practice

What role does conscience play in moral decisions?

Short Answer Practice

Difference between mortal and venial sin

Short Answer Practice

Describe Just War Theory's criteria

Short Answer Practice

What is natural law and how is it applied?

Short Answer Practice

Explain moral relativism and Catholic response

Short Answer Practice

Reproductive Technology

Human dignity, IVF, Church against embryo commodification

Life begins at conception

Moral implications

Abortion

Sanctity of life from conception

Double effect vs. direct abortion

Ectopic pregnancy example

Alternatives to abortion

Adoption, social support

Just War Theory criteria

Just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality

Church emphasis on peace and nonviolence

Modern examples (Ukraine, Iraq, etc.)

Capital Punishment

Church teaches dignity of all human life

Death penalty is inadmissible

Pope Francis

Emphasis on rehabilitation over retribution

Capital Punishment

Object

The actual action taken (what you do)

Intention

The reason or motive behind the action

Circumstance

The context or situation that surrounds the action

Just War Theory

A set of moral principles guiding when and how war can be ethically justified. Includes just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality, etc.

Role of Conscience

It's an inner moral compass; we must form it properly and follow it to act morally.

Moral Relativism

Belief that morality varies by person or culture; opposed by the Church, which teaches objective moral truth.

Principle of Double Effect

An action with both good and bad effects can be moral if the bad is not intended, and the good outweighs it.

War

Use Just War Theory: war must have just cause, last resort, proportionate means, and protect civilians.