THEOLOGY S2 FINAL EXAM

Gaudium et Spes looks at how the Church relates to who or what?

the whole world (not just Christians)

in Gaudium et Spes, what does the Council say will be the focal point of their presentation?

man himself

what does Gaudium et Spes say holds men and women back from being fulfilled?

sin

the Council says that, when we are attentive to WHAT, we can help shape the world for good?

our conscience

in Gaudium et Spes, the Council says mankind’s dignity lies in what?

his call to communion with God

how can Christians themselves be the cause of atheism?

by not forming themselves in the faith, teaching false doctrines, or leading a moral, social, or religious life that is out of harmony with the Gospel

the Council says we can live a life according to the “law of love” established by Christ, because of what?

the gift of the Holy Spirit, who loves within us

what are some concerns people had at the time Humanae Vitae was written (and mentioned by the encyclical itself)?

overpopulation, acquiring adequate resources for large families, the changing role of women in society, and the relationship between love and sex in marriage

what does the Pope say the Church’s teaching regarding the regulation of birth control is based on?

the natural law as illuminated and enriched by divine Revelation

the Holy Father highlights that married love has what four distinguishing characteristics?

it is free, total, faithful, and fruitful

what four things does responsible parenthood involve?

1.) awareness of, and respect for, the nature and purpose of sexual intercourse
2.) a willingness to have self-control when it comes to one’s sexual desires
3.) with regard to physical, economic, psychological, and social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised by those who prudently and generously decide to have more children, and by those who, for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for a certain or an indefinite period of time
4.) the recognition of the moral order established by God
in a word, the exercise of responsible parenthood requires the husband and wife, keeping a right order of priorities, recognize their own duties toward God, themselves, their families, and human society.

the Pope says the significance of the marital act is two-fold. What are they?

unitive and procreative

what are illicit methods of birth control?

abortion, sterilization, contraceptive acts

what means of regulating birth is acceptable?

Natural Family Planning

why is Natural Family Planning alright, but contraception isn’t?

the one is a recourse to how God, in His wisdom, designed our bodies, while the other intentionally acts against this plan

contraception renders an otherwise fertile act, infertile, by an act of will. those who abstain during the fertile period of a woman’s cycle are not engaging in an otherwise fertile act

what does the Holy Father see as some potential outcomes if contraception becomes accepted and widespread?

he foresees increased instances of marital infidelity, a general lowering of moral standards (especially among the young), women being used as means to an end (and their non-sexual aspects being disregarded), and governments potentially forcing people to use contraception or imposing regulations on their family size

what is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being?

love

what are teh two ways of realizing this vocation to love?

marriage and celibacy

what future event is celibacy a sign and anticipation of?

the resurrection, when Christ is married to His Church

the reason the Church considers celibacy higher than marriage is its link with the coming Kingdom of God

the synod that preceded Familiaris Consortio identified what four primary tasks of the family?

1.) forming a community of persons

2.) serving life

3.) participating in the development of society

4.) sharing in the life and mission of the Church

in family life, what is the first communion that is established?

husband and wife

this union brows on a daily basis through fidelity and self-giving

in Familiaris Consorrio, what does the Pope call the family’s first and fundamental contribution of society?

the experience of communion and sharing

in the Gospels, who is the first person to recognize Mary as the Mother of God?

Elizabeth

Mary’s faith is comparable to that of what Old Testament figure?

Abraham

Mary’s motherhood of all according to the Spirit is manifested in what New Testament event?

the wedding feast at Cana

Mary’s intercession does not take away from the mediatorship of Jesus. What was the first example of submission to the one mediation of Christ we find in history?

Mary’s “yes” at the Anunciation

how is the Church a “mother” like Mary?

the Church becomes a mother when accepting with fidelity the word of God, by her preaching and by baptism she brings forth to a new and immortal life children who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God

why is there death in the world according to Evangelium Vitae?

the envy of Satan and the disobedience of Adam and Eve

the Pope says every act of violence is the result of thinking like whom?

Satan “who was a murderer from the beginning”

when would pursuing a prenatal diagnosis be illicit?

when a child which is disabled is encouraged to be aborted. this is nothing less than eugenics

today suffering is seen as something to be avoided or ended at all costs. this attitude has led to an increase in what attack on life?

euthanasia or assisted suicide

the Pope says the theory of human rights is based on the affirmation that the human person cannot be what?

subjected to domination by others

Evangelium Vitae points out that, as created beings, we are not the masters of what?

our life or death

what is the greatest healing a person can receive?

the forgiveness of sin won by Christ’s death and resurrection

when lethal force is required to stop an unjust aggressor, who is responsible for the person’s death?

their death is attributed to them, since their actions brought it about (actions have consequences)

what is the Church’s position on capital punishment?

whenever bloodless means exist for protecting society against an unjust aggressor, they need to be pursued, since they are most in accord with the nature of human dignity

with advancements in penal facilities—including efficient means of incarcerating an offender for life, is necessary—there are almost no practical situations where capital punishment would be necessary

what does the Pope say is the purpose of excommunication?

to make an individual fully aware of the gravity of a certain sin and then to foster genuine conversion and repentance

at which stage of development does a human being gain dignity?

a human being possesses dignity at all stages of its development

when is it permissibly for an ill person to stop receiving treatment?

when the expected result of the treatment is minimal or the treatment itself would be unnecessarily burdensome to the patient. in such case death is inevitable either way

the Pope says many believe what ethical approach is an essential condition of democracy?

relativism

what is the primary way in which the family fulfills its mission to proclaim the Gospel of life?

by raising children

there are certain rights inherent to every man and woman that civil law needs to honor. the first of which is what?

the right to life