Religion

Page 1: Overview of Theology 3 - Catholic Morality Study Guide

Structure of the Exam

  • Exam Format: 70 Questions

    • Types of Questions: Multiple Choice, Matching, Category Match, Short Response (2-3 sentences), and one essay

    • Essay Instructions:

      1. Objectives and short response first on Formative

      2. Draw a paper (A, B, C) for essay selection

      3. Take a 10-minute brain break (water, stretches, meditation)

      4. Review selected essay pre-writing notes

      5. Write down the essay after study session (5-15 minutes)

Key Terms and Concepts to Study

  • Precepts of the Church

  • Free Will

  • God’s Plan for Happiness

  • Beatitudes

  • Beatific Vision

  • Eudaimonia (Aristotle)

  • Conscience

  • Natural Law

  • Eternal Law

  • Morality

  • First Principle of Morality

  • Human Soul

Page 2: Commandments and Moral Principles

Commandments

  • Two Great Commandments: Need to learn the exact wording and details.

  • Ten Commandments: Understand literal meanings and interpretative variations (e.g., gossip as "stealing" someone's reputation).

Philosophical Concepts

  • Aristotle’s Final Cause

  • Three Conditions for Sin

  • Inherent Goods: Basic and built-in nature of something.

  • Natural Law Examples

  • Intuitionism, Emotivism, Relativism

Virtues in Catholic Teaching

  • Cardinal Virtues:

    • Prudence: Right judgment

    • Justice: Fair treatment of others

    • Temperance: Moderation of desires

    • Fortitude: Courage to face challenges

  • Theological Virtues:

    • Faith: Trust in God and his teachings

    • Hope: Expectation of divine union

    • Love: Charity towards God and others

Understanding Sin

  • Fundamental Principles: Definitions of sin, how sin is viewed, and its implications.

  • Types of Sin:

    • Venial vs. Mortal Sins: Differences and effects on the soul.

    • Characteristics of mortal sin and its consequences.

    • Repentance and Conversion: Importance in moral living.

  • Key Concepts:

  • External or Mitigating Circumstances

  • Grave Matter and Examples

  • Restoration of Grace: Living in a state of grace.

Concepts Essential to Human Morality

  • Grace: Free gift of God.

  • Divine Mercy

  • Human Dignity: Recognizing inherent worth.

  • Intrinsically Evil: Actions fundamental to moral wrongdoing.

  • Internal Disposition

  • Universal Call to Holiness

  • Divine Justice

Conscience Formation and Sin Analysis

  • Duties of Conscience:

    • Intention in Sin: Understand motivations.

    • Circumstance in Sin: Context affecting moral judgement.

    • Object of Sin: Nature of the act itself.

  • Notable Sins and Concepts:

    • Idolatry, Blasphemy, Superstition, Sacrilege

    • Veneration, Calumny, Adulation

Page 3: Terms for Study

Covet

  • Definition: To have an intense desire for something, especially that which belongs to another.