Morality Chapter 2 Vocabulary

Eternal Law

The order in creation that reflects God’s will and purpose; it is _____ because it is always true and never changes.

Moral Law

The __________ is established by God and is a rational expression of Eternal Law. _______ reflects God’s wisdom; it is the teaching that leads us to the blessed life he wants for us.

Natural Law

The moral law that can be understood through the use of human reason.  It is our God-given ability to understand what it means to be in right relationship with God, other people, the world, and ourselves.  However, our ability to know natural law has been clouded by Original Sin.

Old Law

Divine Law revealed in the Old Testament, summarized in the Ten Commandments. Also called the Law of Moses.

Decalogue

The Ten Commandments

Pentateuch

A Greek word meaning “five books,” referring to the first five books of the Old Testament.

Catechism

A popular summary, usually in book form, of Catholic doctrine about faith and morals and commonly intended for use within formal programs of catechesis.

New Law

Divine Law revealed in the New Testament through the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and through the witness and teaching of the Apostles.  The New Law perfects the Old Law and brings it to fulfillment. Also called the Law of Love.

Great Commandments

Jesus’ summary of the entire Divine Law as the love of God and the love of neighbor.

Precepts of the Church

Sometimes called the Commandments of the Church, these are basic obligations for all Catholics, dictated by the laws of the Church and intended to guarantee for the faithful the indispensable minimum in prayer and moral effort.

Canon Law

The name given to the official body of laws that provide good order in the visible body of the Church.

Magisterium

The Church’s living teaching office, which consists of all bishops, in communion with the Pope, the bishop of Rome. Their task is to interpret and preserve the truths revealed in  both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Infallibility

The gift given by the Holy Spirit to the Church whereby the Magisterium of the Church, the Pope and the bishops in union with him, can definitively proclaim a doctrine of faith and morals without error.