theology test 2

1.     What is conscience? 

2.     What does a true conscience correspond with? 

“a judgement of reason (making decisions with reason and not feelings) whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of an act”

corresponds with god’s law and our telos

1.     Know the 3 parts of a moral act, and know about each part

1.     What does a morally good act require?

object (act): the “what”

intention: the “why”. you must have good intentions for a moral choice

circumstances: everything else, may decrease culpability

more acts mean all three are good

1.     Can we judge an act merely by intention alone?  Why or why not?

no we can’t because some acts/objects are inherently bad (like sexual assault)

1.     How can our Conscience mislead us?  Lax, Scrupulous, Erroneous, Vincible and Invincible Ignorance (lack of knowledge)? 

lax—fails to recognize sin

scrupulous—thinks non-sin IS sin

erroneous conscience: when our conscience is in error and leads us astray, especially if we ignore our conscience

• invincible ignorance: ignorance that is unintentional through the environment we are raised in

• vincible ignorance: could be overcome but you choose not to

1.     Certain, Doubtful, Good and Bad Conscience? 

certain: sure of what to do morally

doubtful: unsure

good: follow voice of conscience

bad: you don’t

1.     What factors can lead to a faulty conscience 

ignorance of christ and his gospel, bad example of others, enslavement to passions, rejecting church authority in teachers, not repenting, not loving

1.     What is Cognitive Dissonance, and why is it dangerous? 

a conflict bt our beliefs and our actions—we struggle to follow through with our beliefs, and thus we change our beliefs and not our actions

1.     What rules apply when we aren’t sure what to do?

• We should “strive to interpret the data of experience and the signs of the times assisted by the virtue of prudence, by the advice of competent people, and by the help of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.” (CCC 1788)​

golden rule, respect our neighbors, look true to conscience

1.     What are the characteristics of a well-formed conscience?

2.     What are the benefits of a well-formed conscience?

upright, truthful, rational, in line with god’s good

remedy for fear, selfishness, and pride, prevents resentment from guilt, freedom

1.     What does Paul tell the Romans regarding the world? What are some good ways to form our conscience? 

paul: “Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern the will of God, what is good, and pleasing, and perfect.”​

ways to form: sacraments, examination, pray, study church teachings, examine everyday choices

1.     What does Bishop Barron say about attachment?  How does it relate to Agere Contra

1.     How does Character formation and good habits connect with authentic freedom?  How does this relate back to Agere Contra?  How might this relate to Eudaimonia/Happiness?

bishop barron: you have to detach from possession and ambition.

agere contra: to do against something in the opposite direction/manner

second question: we need character education and self-control to achieve eudamonia. good habits enhance our freedom and we depend less on the pleasures that are surface-level

1.     How might good decisions relate to happiness?  How does this relate to Eudiamonia/Happiness?

we aren’t satisfied with anything other than working on perfecting ourselves

1.     How does character formation relate to good habits?

2.     Why are little decisions important?

character formation helps us recognize our bad habits and helps us be more and peace and live a fulfilling life

the little decisions are important because they are what actually show our character and determination to stick to a virtuous life

1.     Catechism on Virtue—main points

basically, we have both cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity). more on this later

1.     Your thoughts about the anterior midcingulate cortex, the ways it connects back to Bishop Barron’s ideas about attachment, and our discussion of eudaimonia, happiness, and character education?

anterior midcingulate cortex—area of your brain involved with emotions, processing, learning, and memory. it grows as you do things you don’t want to, which might be the neuroscientific reason to live

we can build character by doing hard things, and we will become overall more satisfied by doing them as well

1.     What does Mark Ji Tianxiang teach us about trying to change our habits and failing?

even if we fail, that does not mean god does not love us. he struggled with an opium addiction for years and was misunderstood but still found a way to die a martyr and serve the lord in doing so

·     Know the four Cardinal Virtues and the definition and application of each

prudence: “right reason in action”, our practical wisdom, knowing what the best thing is and DOING IT, having good judgement. ex: being open to new things, basing decisions on truth, committing to decisions

justice: weighing and judging evidence fairly. ex: respecting others, honoring commitments, spending time in prayer each day, honoring parents

temperance: self control from pleasure. ex: not drinking, enjoying in moderation, working hard

fortitude: courage. ex: putting up with setbacks, being strong-willed, committed

·     Know CS Lewis on each of the Cardinal Virtues, and Pride

use what sense u have (prudence)

going to the right length and not any further, not looking down on others who are not practicing temperance (temperance)

justice/fortitude: being honest and courageous, having “guts”

pride: the utmost evil, getting pleasure out of something ultimately because someone else doesn’t have it. if you are looking down on people, you cannot see God above you, and you will never be content

·     Know the 7 deadly sins and the 7 counter virtues

pride: all sins flow from pride, humility

greed: generosity

envy: wanting something another has so much that you want to deprive them of it, solicitude/kindness

anger: patience/meekness

sloth: diligence

gluttony: temperance

lust: chastity

1.     Definition of law (word for word?)

“an ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the one who is in charge of the community.”​ (god’s fatherly love for us)

1.     The four things that make a just law

reasonable, for the common good, promulgated (made public), from competent authority

1.     The 5 expressions of moral law

eternal, natural, civil, revealed, and church laws

4.What is Eternal Law?

god’s self revelation/who he is

5.     Natural Law: what is it? 4 basic aspects of natural law

universal (everywhere), permanent (all times), unchanging, reasonable

basic sense of right and wrong

5.     Civil Law: What is it? Good and bad?

a prudential application of the natural law for members of a given society​

not always well applied (like slavery, abuse, etc.)

revealed law: what is it, and why do we need it?

god’s law that is found in the old and new testament

helps us see god and we get a foundation from natural law but not the whole thing

what is old and new law, and why do we need each

old law is law of moses, 10 commandments. expresses natural law and human reason, plus what love is against. helps prepare us for the gospel

new law is building off the old law and showing us what love looks like (more on this later)

10 commandments. must know in order!!!!

• 1. You shall not have other gods (or false idols).​

• 2. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain.​

• 3. Keep holy the Lord’s Day (Sabbath).​

• 4. Honor your father and mother.​

• 5. Do not kill.​

• 6. Do not commit adultery.​

• 7. Do not steal.​

• 8. Do not bear false witness (lie).​

• 9. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife.​

• 10. Do not covet your neighbor’s things.​

5.     What is Jesus’ summary of the law and the prophets?

• “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…” (1-3)​

• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (4-10)​

5.     What are the Beatitudes (blessedness)? what is their meaning and purpose?

• The Poor in Spirit  Kingdom of Heaven​

• Those who Mourn  Comforted​

• The Meek  Inherit the Earth​

• Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness  Satisfied​

• The Merciful  Shown Mercy​

• The Pure of Heart  See God​

• The Peacemakers  Called Children of God​

• Those Persecuted  Kingdom of Heaven​

meaning and purpose is to show the new law and how it links to our happiness, plus how to have pure acts of the heart

church law: what is it?

divine law: comes from god

church law: what governs the church and the rules it follows, applies the divine law

what are the precepts of the church

attend mass on sundays

confess your sins at least once a year

receive eucharist at least during easter season

keep holy the days of obligation which honor our lord, his mother, and the saints

observe prescribed laws of fasting and abstinence

help provide for the material needs of the church, according to your abilities (prioritize your earnings)

what are the holy days of obligation?

solemnity of mary, mother of god—jan 1

ascension of jesus—may 21

the assumption of the blessed virgin mary—august 15

all saints day—nov 1

the immaculate conception—dec 8

christmas—dec 25

why should we trust church law

it has expresses the fullness of faith, and we can trust that god would not mislead us in the church, and god loves us and wanted us to learn about him through a teacher

sin, mortal, and venial sin—your notes

sin is offense against reason, truth, and right conscience contrary to god’s love and eternal law

mortal: complete consent, grave matter, and full knowledge that it is wrong, results in hell and are about grave matters, venial: less serious and does not break covenant, but weakens our charity

5.     What is the significance of the capital, or 7 deadly sins

they create all the sins on the planet

5.     Formal Cooperation with Evil—your notes:

formal cooperation with evil: You know and intend to help another commit a sin (Formal cooperation is considered mortal if the sin you are helping to commit is mortal).​

5.     Sin of Omission/Comission—your notes:

Sin of Commission: You sin because you do something sinful​

Sin of Omission: You sin because you don’t do something you should do​

connection of commandments to covenant

law is given for our freedom

the Israelites were worshipping pagan gods and they slavery was physical and spiritual

god gave us the 10 commandments to keep us away from that

i am the lord of god and you will worship me, you shall have no other gods before me

summary of bishop barron’s explanation of the significance of the first commandment

relationship with god brings everything together and god is the start of our life, showing our key values, we do not need pleasure, power, honor or wealth as much as we need him

If we can’t put God first, none of the other commandments matter.​

1.       Know the first 3 commandments—why are they first?

shows how god should be first in our lives

• 1. You shall not have other gods (or false idols).​

• 2. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain.​

• 3. Keep holy the Lord’s Day (Sabbath).​

1.       How does the OT understanding of sacrifice relate?

He wants israel to be in covenant with him and reject egyptian idolatry, so they are free from spiritual bondage

god wants the same for us, sacrifice gets rid of unhealthy attachmetns

1.       How do worship and sacrifice help us to live the first commandment?

worship helps us be freed from idolatry of the world and sacrifice unimportant things to give time and attention to God

What is Faith, and how does it help us live the first commandment?  What are some temptations against faith?

What is Hope, and how does it help us to live the first commandment?  What are some temptations against Hope?

What is Charity, and how does it help us to live the first commandment?  What are some temptations against Charity?

faith: saying yes to god and believing in him, not puting people before him because we trust him. temptations: doubt, ignoring god’s will, rejecting christianity

hope: belief god will keep his promises. temptations: despair, presuming we can save ourselves

charity: love!! temptations: indifference, not being grateful, hatred of god

know a brief description of the specific transgressions against the 1st commandment mentioned in the catechism

Idolatry: worshiping idols and constantly tempted against faith

Superstition: using something magical that is not god (knock on wood)

Divination, Magic, and Spiritism: astrology, magic, summoning spirits, the devil

Irreligion (including tempting God, Sacrilege, and Simony):

-tempting god: putting his goodness and almighty power to the test by word or deed

-sacrilege: treating sacraments unworthily

-simony: buying or selling spiritual things

Atheism, and Agnosticism: not believing in god or being unsure

History of 2nd commandment—Jewish and pagan beliefs about the significance of names

Offenses against the 2nd commandment

don’t take lord’s name in vain

jewish people do not say god’s name. god revealed the name “yahweh” to moses and the ancient jews would not say it out of reverence. jesus is holy and to be proclaimed with respect, adoration, and humilty for christians

Within ancient Pagan and Jewish religion, knowing the name of a God gave a person control of the god.

offenses: don’t abuse god’s name, take it in vain, using god’s name in an oath

3rd commandment: purpose of the sabbath

purpose of the sabbath is worship and rest

we celebrate on sunday because of the resurrection

why should we go to mass? what does the catechism say about sunday work/sunday mass

the church needs you to go, we go to give and receive, hear god’s word, get eucharist

you need to go to mass unless you have a serious reason (sick family, far from a church, working on sunday)