Theology III Christian Morality: Chapter 2 Part 1

Name and explain the three qualities that pertain to human dignity.

1. Inherent: inborn or inherited, something that does not need to be earned or acquired.

2. Inviolable: cannot be profaned or destroyed.

3. Inalienable: cannot be taken away by anyone.

What does the book of Genesis teach us about the "equality of dignity"?

Genesis does not teach that males are superior to females nor that females are inferior to males

Why is man considered to be a "composite creature"?

Because man has a body and a soul

Name the 5 Christian beliefs about the Sixth Day of Creation from Genesis 1.

1. God freely created humans out of love. God is the Creator; we are not. We are God's creatures.

2. We are magnificent creatures, the summit (pinnacle) of God's Creation. God placed humans in charge of the rest of creation (dominion)

3. God made us in the Divine Image

4. God made us Male and Female

5. God saw all that he made and found it very good

What are the three reasons for why humans are unique among all of God's creatures for having a human soul?

1. The spiritual nature gives us the ability to think, to make choices, and to love

2. The way that humans exist in the world is as spiritual-material beings

3. Because we have bodies, we are a part of God's material universe

State and explain the two "original states" that Adam and Eve were created in before the fall?

1. Original Holiness: the state in which our first parents were completely open to sharing in the divine life (grace)

2. Original Justice: the state in which our first parents were in complete harmony with God, one another, and the rest of creation.

What is the whole point of Second Creation account (Genesis 2)?

The fundamental goodness of human beings who were created for communion with God

What was work considered to be like before the fall?

Work was not toil but a collaborative effort with the Creator in protecting God's creation

Why is the nature of marriage neither regulated by civil law nor by the Church?

Because it only comes from God, and it has always been understood to be the legal union between a man and a woman.

Name and explain the four kinds of love found in Sacred Scripture.

1. Agape: "unconditional love"- love which is given directly from God and is shown when one person has much to give another who is more needy.

2. Philia: "friendship"- refers to mutual compatibility and common values.

3. Eros: "passion"- not only of a sexual nature but also of a spiritual nature.

4. Storge: "familial love"- the bond that exists between one who loves and persons, animals, and things that surround him.

What is the meaning of "complimentary" in reference to one man and one woman in marriage?

"Making up for what is lacking in the other"

What is the cornerstone of all Christian morality and ethics? What does this concept mean? When does it begin?

1. Respect for human dignity.

2. Respect means never manipulating, humiliating, exploiting, or being violent towards others.

3. Human dignity begins at the moment of conception

What is the meaning of Nihilism?

A philosophy that denies any meaning in existence or in religious beliefs. The only thing that matters after life is nothingness, annihilation.

Name the 10 Commandments.

1. I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any strange gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

3.) Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day.

4.) Honor your father and your mother.

5.) You shall not kill.

6.) You shall not commit adultery.

7.) You shall not steal.

8.) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9.) You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10.) You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

"Everyone doesn't have to like us" matches with?

The approval of others doesn't make us who we are

"It's okay to make mistakes" matches with?

We do not have to be perfect; everyone makes mistakes

The only mistake is the one from which we fail to learn

"Other people are okay; so are you" matches with?

Just because people do things they do not care for, does not make them bad people

"You don't have to control everything" matches with?

We must learn to deal with reality as it is, not as we would like it to be

We cannot get upset about things we cannot change

"We are responsible for how we feel and what we do" matches with?

We do not have to react negatively to a bad situation. We control our own lives and reactions

"It is important to try." matches with?

When there is a tough situation, it is important to meet them head on rather than avoid them

"We are capable and can change them. The same is true of others" matches with?

God gave us the ability to think and make decisions. People must learn to do things for themselves

"We can be flexible" matches with?

It is worth seeking out wise people for advice when we are having a tough time of it